FTY720 is a novel immunomodulatory agent that inhibits lymphocyte trafficking and prevents
allograft rejection. FTY720 is phosphorylated in vivo, and the phosphorylated drug acts as
agonist for a family of G protein-coupled receptors that recognize sphingosine 1-phosphate.
Evidence suggests that FTY720-phosphate-induced activation of S1P 1 is responsible for its
mechanism of action. FTY720 was rationally designed by modification of myriocin, a
naturally occurring sphingoid base analog that causes immunosuppression by interrupting …