title: Antipruritic effect of cyclosporine microemulsion in prurigo nodularis: results of a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prurigo nodularis shows intense itching nodules, which are often persistent and therapy refractory. Histological alterations include fibrosis of collagen fibers and presence of inflammatory infiltrate, which partly explains the clinical persistence of lesions. Inflammatory cells may directly contribute to induction and maintenance of pruritus at nerve fibers. Cyclosporine microemulsion (ME) suppresses the migration and proliferation of inflammatory cells and may thereby interfere with pathogenesis of prurigo nodularis. The aim of this investigation was to assess the antipruritic efficiency of cyclosporine ME in therapy of prurigo nodularis.
  
  
  METHODS
  14 patients with prurigo nodularis of diverse origin and failure to previous therapy were treated with oral cyclosporine ME (3 to 5 mg per kg daily). Blood pressure, liver enzymes, renal function and differential blood count were monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 13 of 14 prurigo patients (92.9 %) there was a significant response to monotherapy with cyclosporine ME. The maximal antipruritic effect occurred after 2 weeks to 12 months. Prurigo nodules also healed during therapy. Seven patients (50.0 %) described side effects. In one case the therapy was stopped.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral cyclosporine ME is an effective therapy for prurigo nodularis of diverse origin. It appears to function by inhibiting dermal inflammatory cells.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Neurodermatology, Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Dorothee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Siepmann
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Luger
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ständer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011536:Prurigo / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000982:Antipruritics; D004655:Emulsions; D016572:Cyclosporine