[Cyclosporin in severe steroid-requiring bronchial asthma].
OBJECTIVE
Treatment of chronic severe bronchial asthma with corticosteroids is inadequate in a minority of patients and is often accompanied by considerable side effects. Additional specific immunosuppression appears to be therapeutically promising.


METHODS
Three patients (2 women, aged 44 and 29, a man aged 57 years), all with chronic severe asthma requiring corticosteroids, were given cyclosporin (mean dose 1.8 mg/kg; serum level 72 +/- 35 ng/ml) additional to conventional bronchospasmolytic drugs for 9 to 20 months.


RESULTS
The frequency and intensity of asthmatic attacks markedly decreased in all three patients. The mean peak-flow measurements in the mornings before broncholysis had increased by 23% over the precyclosporin level of the calculated normal value. Peak flow variability improved by 13%. The mean one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) rose from 37 to 66% of the normal value (P < or = 0.05) and correlated with the serum cyclosporin level (correlation coefficient 0.58-0.97). The frequency of acute severe asthmatic attacks (FEV1 < or = 40%) requiring additional hospitalization with intravenous administration of glucocorticoids fell by 30%. The systemic corticosteroid maintenance dosage could be significantly reduced or the drug discontinued in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations indicate that cyclosporin can be useful in the treatment of selected cases of chronic severe steroid-refractory asthma. Prospective studies are needed to judge its long-term efficacy.
Klein
R M
RM
Abteilung für Kardiologie, Pneumologie und Angiologie, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universität Düsseldorf.
Leschke
M
M
Strauer
B E
BE
D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine