CYCLOSPORINE-A IN SEVERE, THERAPY-RESISTANT ATOPIC-DERMATITIS - REPORT OF AN INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP, APRIL 1993

Data on the use of oral cyclosporin A (CyA; Sandimmun(R)) therapy for severe adult atopic dermatitis have accumulated since 1987. Details of over 200 adult patients who have received short-term CyA were present ed at an international workshop in April 1993. Eighty-six of these pat ients had participated in three randomized, double-blind, placebo-cont rolled studies in which CyA was given for 6-8 weeks. The efficacy and safety of short-term CyA treatment in atopic dermatitis is established , provided that appropriate guidelines are observed. Evidence to date suggests that atopic dermatitis patients are no more prone to toxicity than patients with psoriasis, in whom more detailed and longer-term d ata are available. Early data also suggest that long-term CyA may be e ffective in atopic dermatitis, but there is concern regarding long-ter m safety, as experience is still limited. Careful monitoring of all Cy A-treated patients is therefore mandatory. CyA should only be used und er the direct and regular supervision of a hospital-based dermatologis t who is knowledgeable in the use of cyclosporin A, and experienced in the management of severe skin disease and in the use of potentially t oxic drugs.