what is a rapamycin?

Answer 1

Rapamycin (Also known as Sirolimus), is an immunosuppressant drug that is almost exclusively used to prevent rejection in organ transplants. It's what's known as a 'macrolide antibiotic,' which means that it's very good against microbes (anti-microbial) and can be given to people who are allergic to drugs like penicillin. It's also marketed under the name "Rapamune."

Its purpose is to block T- and B-Cells, which are the white blood cells that attack foreign cells and microbes in your body. These are also the cells that attack transplanted organs (seen as 'invaders' by blood cells).

It can also be used to fight cancer, as it's an anti-proliferative, which means that it can inhibit the progression of some cancers. However, because it blocks T- and B-Cells, it can increase the body's anti-cancer defenses,and actually INCREASES the risk of some cancers, especially in patients who have had cancer or tumors before.

Sorry for all the medical-ese, I hope this helped.

Answer 2

Rapamycin (also called sirolimus) is a peptide that was isolated in 19751from the bacteria strain Streptomyces hygroscopicus found in a soil sample on Easter Island.

Rapamycin has been found to have a number of interesting properties, including a novel mechanism of immunosuppression. There is therefore a lot of interest in its use as a drug to prevent rejection of organ transplants. Its different mode of action to immunosupressants currently used means there is great hope for its potential uses and advantages over other treatments.

Rapamycin could be very important in the treatment of organ transplant patients as it appears to have a different mechanism of action to cyclosporin and FK506. Because of this it is said to be in a new class of immunosuppressant agents. It also appears to cause fewer side effects than the standard anti-rejection treatments due to its novel mode of action.
The cytotoxic properties of rapamycin could also make it effective in the treatment of cancer and there is ongoing research in this area.

Rapamycin is now marketed under the tradename 'Rapamune' .It recieved marketing approval as an immunosuppressant from the U.S. Food and Drug Administation (FDA). Rapamycin is a macrolide antibiotic with immunosuppressant properties.
Studies have shown rapamycin to inhibit growth and cause cell death by apoptosis in B lymphoma cells. Neither FK506 nor cyclosporin affected the normal growth of these cells, however FK506 appeared to reverse the growth inhibition caused by rapamycin.

Answer 3

A drug used to help prevent the body from rejecting organ and bone marrow transplants. It is also being studied as a treatment for cancer. Rapamycin belongs to the family of drugs called immunosuppressants. It is now called sirolimus.

Answer 4

it was originally an anti-fungal agent
But it has potent immunosuppressive and antiproliferative properties.It is also know as Sirolimus.Its used in transplant and also to fight of cancer during its early stages