CYCLOSPORINE-A TREATMENT AND AIRWAYS INFLAMMATION IN CORTICOSTEROID-DEPENDENT ASTHMA

Cyclosporin A is a potent immunosuppressive agent which inhibits activ ation of T cells and other inflammatory cells. It has been shown to be of clinical benefit in patients with corticosteroid-dependent asthma, but there are no data on its in vivo effects on airways inflammation, In this report, we describe the case of a 47-year-old man with chroni c severe corticosteroid-dependent asthma who made a dramatic clinical response to therapy with cyclosporin A. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy with b ronchoalveolar lavage and endobronchial biopsy were performed before a nd after a 12-month period of treatment with cyclosporin A and demonst rated a concomitant reduction in airway inflammatory indices.