Which is an expected clinical outcome of effective immunosuppressive therapy in transplant patients?

• A. Reversal of organ rejection.
• B. Increase in rejection episodes.
• C. Need for dialysis.
• D. Development of cancer.

Answer: (A)

Effective immunosuppressive therapy works by dampening the immune system’s attack on the transplanted organ, allowing the graft to be protected and function properly. When suppression is successful, an episode of rejection can be halted and the inflammation reduced, leading to reversal of organ rejection and restoration or preservation of graft function. This is the intended outcome because the goal is to maintain the transplanted organ rather than have the immune system continue to attack it.

The other scenarios reflect problems or risks rather than the desired result of proper therapy: more rejection episodes would mean inadequate suppression; needing dialysis indicates graft failure; cancer can be a longer-term risk due to immunosuppression but is not the expected outcome of effective therapy.