[[Cyclosporin forever?]

The author presents a summarized review concerning the use of cyclosporine in the control of graft rejection. He insists on the need to reduce as far as possible the cyclosporine dosage applied. This can be achieved in association with other drugs, such as azathioprine and/or steroids. The mechanism of action due to cyclosporine seems to be linked both with some modifications in the graft's antigenicity, mainly the disappearance of MHC class II bearing cells, but above all with profound modifications in lymphokine secretion resulting in the inhibition of DTH responses and with the selective activation of suppressor cells. The author insists finally on the importance of cyclosporine not only for the medical treatment of rejection, but also for its significance as a research tool in immunology.