Cyclosporin A treatment in a case of relapsing polychondritis.
A patient with relapsing polychondritis and high titres of anti-collagen II antibodies developed a progressive destruction of tracheal cartilage in spite of treatment with corticosteroids, Dapsone, Azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. Assumptions regarding the role of anti-collagen immunity, together with immunohistochemical studies on affected cartilage, suggested macrophage-T cell interactions to be important in the pathogenesis of the disease. Cyclosporin A treatment was instituted and has been continued for 2 years, concomitant with a steady improvement and remission of the disease.
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D003094:Collagen / Q000276:immunology; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011081:Polychondritis, Relapsing / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D003524:Cyclosporins; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D003094:Collagen