Mechanism of action of common immunomodulatory agents
| Drug | Mechanism of action | Immune consequences |
| Corticosteroid | Inhibits gene transcription for secretion of inflammatory cytokines | Reduces leucocyte migration, phagocytic function of neutrophils and monocytes, and T-cell function |
| Azathioprine | Purine antimetabolite: inhibits resting (G1) and DNA synthesis (S) phases of the cell cycle | Apoptosis of T lymphocytes |
| Methotrexate | Folic acid antagonist; inhibits purine synthesis | Specific immune cell targets unknown |
| Mycophenolate mofetil | Blocks de novo purine synthesis | Antilymphocyte (T-cell and B-cell) action. Less toxic than azathioprine |
| Cyclophosphamide | DNA alkylation: blocks all phases of cell cycle | Anti T-cell and B-cell activity |
| Rituximab | Monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody | Reduces pathogenic antibody production by reducing CD20 positive B cells and the number of new plasma cells (CD20 negative but develop from B-lineage). Reduces pathogenic antibodies and disrupts other B-cell roles (such as antigen-presenting cells) in the immune system |