A new class of cyclosporin analogues for the treatment of asthma

Abstract

The disease management of asthma – in particular severe and steroid-resistant asthma – remains a real and daily challenge in the clinic. Cyclosporin A has been a mainstay of immunosuppression therapy in organ transplantation for many years. While its application clearly is efficacious in the inhibition of T-cell proliferation and results in the decrease of inflammatory processes, its side effects in long-term use manifested most prominently through nephrotoxicity have been the main concern against broader use of the drug in inflammatory and immune diseases other than organ transplantation. Several new strategies are currently being pursued to address cyclosporin A toxicity, as summarised in this review. The improved safety profile of novel cyclosporin analogues appear to promise potential new treatments of asthma.

• aerosolised cyclosporin
• asthma
• cyclosporin A
• inhaled cyclosporin
• nephrotoxicity
• organ transplantation
• psoriasis
• soft drugs
• topical immunosuppressants