Cyclosporin A treatment and airways inflammation in corticosteroid-dependent asthma.
Cyclosporin A is a potent immunosuppressive agent which inhibits activation of T cells and other inflammatory cells. It has been shown to be of clinical benefit in patients with corticosteroid-dependent asthma, but there are no data on its in vivo effects on airways inflammation. In this report, we describe the case of a 47-year-old man with chronic severe corticosteroid-dependent asthma who made a dramatic clinical response to therapy with cyclosporin A. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and endobronchial biopsy were performed before and after a 12-month period of treatment with cyclosporin A and demonstrated a concomitant reduction in airway inflammatory indices.
Redington
A E
AE
Southampton General Hospital, UK.
Hardinge
F M
FM
Madden
J
J
Holgate
S T
ST
Howarth
P H
PH
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001706:Biopsy; D001980:Bronchi / Q000276:immunology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002452:Cell Count; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine