Cyclosporin A in atopic dermatitis

Over the past 10 years, oral cyclosporin A (CyA) has been used to treat a range of inflammatory and immunologically mediated dermatological conditions, but only psoriasis has been shown to be responsive in double-blind, controlled trials. Thirteen patients with severe atopic dermatitis were treated for up to 31 months. Ten patients had a good response, one patient a moderate response and two a slight response. In two of these patients, CyA was withdrawn after more than 2 years of continuous treatment because of increasing plasma creatinine levels. Cyclosporin A appears to be useful in the treatment of severe, therapy-resistant atopic dermatitis, but careful monitoring of side-effects and dose adjustments are required.