GUSPERIMUS

Description

Gusperimus, a synthetic derivative of the antitumor antibiotic spergualin originally isolated from Bacillus laterosporus, was introduced in Japan as a treatment for accelerated and acute rejection reactions after kidney transplants. It possesses strong immunosuppressive activity including suppression of autoimmune disease, prolongation of survival of transplant allografts, induction of transplant tolerance, reversal of allograft rejection, inhibition of antibody responses, and suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity. Although its activity is comparable to other agents as monotherapy, gusperimus in combination therapy (such as with cyclosporine A) has been reported to exhibit exceptional activity for prevention of transplant rejection and to induce long term tolerance. The mechanism of action appears to be due to inhibition of differentiation and proliferation of effector cells, including cytotoxic T cells and antibody producing B cells. Gusperimus is also in clinical trials for the treatment of graft rejection, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, nephrosis, and as an anticancer agent.

Originator

Nippon Kayaku (Japan)

Definition

ChEBI: Gusperimus is a N-acyl-amino acid.

brand name

Spanidin