THERAPEUTICAL NOTES   

Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 1998 October;133(5):367-71

Copyright © 1998 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Intermittent treatment of psoriasis with Cyclosporin A

Mordenti C., Schmitt I. M., Cavallaro R., Peris K., Chimenti S.

Università degli Studi - L’Aquila, Clinica Dermatologica

Background. Cyclosporin A (CyA) has been widely used in dermatology particularly for the treatment of psoriasis. However, the use of this drug is mainly limited by its nephotoxicity, shown to be directly correlated with dosages and time of administration. In order to obtain the best clinical efficay with the lowest side effects the dosage of 3-4 mg/kg/day in an intermittent protocol has been proposed for the treatment of psoriasis (16 weeks of treatment and 5 weeks of interval).
Methods. In the present study, personal experience of an open clinical trial study including 66 patients with psoriasis (50 plaque type, 10 psoriasis of palms and soles and 6 guttate type is reported.
Results. Results demonstrated complete remission in 70%, partial remission in 9%, moderate remission in 11% and slight remission in 7% of the patients. Two patients (3%) were withdrawn due to protocol violations.
Conclusions. In conclusion, the efficacy and tolerability of an intermittent treatment regimen with CyA (3-4 mg/kg/day)is underlined.