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The use of cyclosporin in corticosteroid dependent asthma

M E Coren1, M Rosenthal, A Bush

  • 1Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|March 13, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Cyclosporin treatment helped some children with severe asthma reduce their steroid dependence. However, relapses and side effects like hirsutism occurred, indicating a need for further research in refractory childhood asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Severe childhood asthma often requires high-dose corticosteroid therapy.
  • Refractory asthma in children presents significant treatment challenges.
  • Prednisolone dependence impacts long-term health and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cyclosporin in children with severe, refractory asthma.
  • To assess the potential for steroid-sparing effects of cyclosporin in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A case series of five children with severe asthma on daily prednisolone (≥10 mg) treated with cyclosporin.
  • Monitoring of asthma control, prednisolone dosage, and adverse events.

Main Results:

  • Three out of five children were successfully weaned off prednisolone.
  • One child relapsed shortly after discontinuation of prednisolone.
  • One child experienced unacceptable hirsutism, and another did not respond to cyclosporin.

Conclusions:

  • Cyclosporin shows potential as a steroid-sparing agent in refractory childhood asthma.
  • Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm efficacy and optimize treatment protocols.
  • Careful monitoring for side effects is essential during cyclosporin therapy.

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