title: Focus on five patients treated with cyclosporine up to 62 months.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cyclosporine is a validated treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis. Long-term cyclosporine administration may induce toxic effects. The duration of treatment usually ranges from 10 to 16 weeks. However, some patients may take cyclosporine for a longer time.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study is to evaluate the dose, efficacy and safety in long-term cyclosporine therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the hospital records of patients with psoriasis treated with cyclosporine between 1 January 2009, and 30 April 2015. We decided to focus on patients who, for different reasons, have continued cyclosporine for more than 2 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five patients (2.69%) had been assuming cyclosporine for up to 62 months and had achieved a substantial response with no toxic effects. All of them were concerned about recurrence and all patients had personal reasons to prefer Cyclosporine over other drugs, including: familiar history of neurodegenerative disease, desire for motherhood, easy availability on prescription, systemic scleroderma, belenophobia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cyclosporine is an acceptable monotherapy for psoriasis in selected patients. The prompt discontinuation of treatment usually results in resolution of any eventual toxicity.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Dermatology , Department of Specialized, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna , Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bardazzi
authors.affiliation: a Division of Dermatology , Department of Specialized, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna , Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Magnano
authors.affiliation: a Division of Dermatology , Department of Specialized, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna , Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balestri
authors.affiliation: a Division of Dermatology , Department of Specialized, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna , Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patrizi
authors.affiliation: a Division of Dermatology , Department of Specialized, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna , Italy.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tengattini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine
keywords: Cyclosporine; addicted; drug; long term; psoriasis