A new class of cyclosporin analogues for the treatment of asthma.
The disease management of asthma - in particular severe and steroid-resistant asthma - remains a real and daily challenge in the clinic. Cyclosporin A has been a mainstay of immunosuppression therapy in organ transplantation for many years. While its application clearly is efficacious in the inhibition of T-cell proliferation and results in the decrease of inflammatory processes, its side effects in long-term use manifested most prominently through nephrotoxicity have been the main concern against broader use of the drug in inflammatory and immune diseases other than organ transplantation. Several new strategies are currently being pursued to address cyclosporin A toxicity, as summarised in this review. The improved safety profile of novel cyclosporin analogues appear to promise potential new treatments of asthma.
Eckstein
Jens W
JW
Enanta Pharmaceuticals,500 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472, USA. eckstein@enanta.com
Fung
John
J
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans
D016572:Cyclosporine