Examining the Association between Immunosuppressants and Wound Healing: A Narrative Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To review how different classes of immunosuppressants affect wound healing. Data Sources A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and the University of Calgary Health Sciences Library. Study Selection The researchers initially screened article titles using key words such as “immunosuppressive medication,” “wound healing,” and “immunosuppression.” Articles in which the title and/or abstract contained these key words, that addressed wound healing related to immunosuppressant medications, and were published after 2000 were included in the review. When human data were not available for an immunosuppressant (class), animal studies were included. Data Extraction The 61 included articles underwent full text review and summarization. Data Synthesis All included studies were summarized descriptively including immunosuppressive mechanism of action, study participants or subjects, and evidence of effects on wound healing. Conclusions Corticosteroids and mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors most consistently demonstrate detrimental effects on wound healing. For other classes of immunosuppressants, evidence is limited with varying effects on wound healing described. Larger, high-quality studies are required to better understand the effects of immunosuppressants, including those with new mechanisms of action, to identify those with the most impact on wound healing.