Cyclosporin A therapy for Wegener's granulomatosis

Five patients with active Wegener's granulomatosis were treated with the immunosuppressive agent Cyclosporin A, along with low dose prednisone. All five patients had previously taken cyclophosphamide, but further treatment with this agent was not desired, either due to patient choice, drug toxicity or malignancy. In initial doses of up to 5mg/kg/day, CyA showed efficacy but when lowered to 1-2mg/kg/day, mild disease flares occurred. CyA may provide an alternative to traditional therapy in selected patients with WG.