Persistent light reaction. Successful treatment with cyclosporin A

A 53-year-old male patient who had suffered for several years from severe persistent light reaction possibly due to tribromsalan photosensitivity was treated with cyclosporin A after long-term low-dose administration of corticosteroids which had to be discontinued. PUVA therapy was impracticable due to the extraordinarily high UVA sensitivity. When cyclosporin A blood concentrations between 100 and 200 ng/ml were reached, the patient was nearly free from symptoms; the excellent clinical response was also documented by phototesting performed prior to and during therapy. Cyclosporin A may be a valuable therapeutic alternative to systemic corticosteroids for severe cases of persistent light reaction which cannot be controlled by photoprotective measures.