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Classic Immunosuppressive and Immunomodulatory Drugs

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Sjögren’s Syndrome

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Abstract

Symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) are chronic and can sometimes be devastating, compromising patients’ quality of life to a major degree. Despite the advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of SS, its therapy remains largely empiric, symptomatic, and focused on alleviating sicca symptoms. Eye lubricants, saliva substitutes, and stimulators of the glandular secretion are the cornerstones of therapy in SS. Despite the autoimmune nature of the disorder, evidence for the use of immunosuppressive agents, the mainstay of therapy of diseases of autoimmune origin, is scarce. In an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of SS by altering the natural disease process, a number of immunosuppressive agents have been tested in clinical studies, mostly with unsatisfactory or questionable results (Table 38.1).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Clio P. Mavragani

  2. University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA

    Stuart S. Kassan

Authors
  1. Clio P. Mavragani
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  2. Stuart S. Kassan
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Barcelona, Surgey, Hospital Clinic, Calle Villarroel, 170, Barcelona, 08036, Spain

    Manuel Ramos-Casals

  2. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 02114, Massachusetts, USA

    John H. Stone

  3. National University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Haralampos M. Moutsopoulos

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© 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Mavragani, C.P., Kassan, S.S. (2011). Classic Immunosuppressive and Immunomodulatory Drugs. In: Ramos-Casals, M., Stone, J., Moutsopoulos, H. (eds) Sjögren’s Syndrome. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-947-5_38

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-947-5_38

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-85729-946-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-947-5

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