抄録
Although the immune response makes organ transplantation difficult, there are few alternative therapies for organ failure. Three major advances have made it possible to use organ transplantation routinely In the clinic. First, the technical skill to carry out organ replacement surgery has been mastered by many people. Second, networks of transplantation centers have been organized to ensure that the few healthy organs that are available are HLA-typed and so matched with the most suitable recipient. Third, the use of potent immunosuppressive drugs, especially cyclosporin A and FK-506 to inhibit T-cell activation, has increased graft survival rates dramatically. There are, however, many problems other than graft rejection associated with organ transplantation. First, donor organs are difficult to obtain; this is especially a problem when the organ involved is a vital one, such as a heart ora liver. Second, the disease that destroyed the patient's organ may also destroy the graft. Third, the immunosuppression required to prevent graft rejection increases the risk of cancer and infection. Finally, the procedure is very costly. All of these problems need to be met dealt with before clinical transplantation can become commonplace.
