Individualized short-course cyclosporin therapy in psoriasis

The efficacy and side-effects of cyclosporin in psoriasis, namely hypertension and renal dysfunction, are dose-related. An initial dose of 3 mg/kg per day has a better risk/benefit ratio than 5 mg/kg per day. Maximum efficacy is usually reached after 2-3 months, and effects of the drug remain even after treatment stops. We therefore suggest that periodic short-term use of cyclosporin in order to combine persisting therapeutic effect with safety. Psoriatic erythroderma and arthropathy also respond rapidly to oral cyclosporin. Once patients have been successfully treated, the drug should be discontinued. Treatment must not exceed 6 months, but in the case of relapse a new cycle of the previously effective and tolerated dose can be given. The concomitant use of other therapies has been assessed in an attempt to reduce the dose of cyclosporin. There are no significant cyclosporin-sparing effects when etretinate or UVB are used adjunctively, and currently no convincing data on the risk of combining low-dose cyclosporin with immunosuppressive therapy (including methotrexate, UVB, and PUVA) in dermatological indications. The addition of topical corticosteroids or calcipotriol leads to more rapid clearing of psoriasis plaques, although relapse rates remain unchanged. Individualized short-course cyclosporin therapy is useful in controlling acute psoriasis flares and/or inducing remission; less potent agents can then be used for maintenance therapy. Short courses of low-dose cyclosporin may almost completely eliminate the risks of renal dysfunction from this drug.