Discovery and Use of Cyclosporin in Clinical Practice

Overview

The discovery of cyclosporin and its clinical use during the past twenty years improved in revolutionary way the results of organ and tissue transplantation and cyclosporin remains in this indication the urostly used immunosuppressive agent. It has also approved in the treatment of many autoimmune diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, renal diseases etc. Knowledge of its effect contributed in a significant way to the general understanding of the immune response and the pathogenesis of the autoimmune reaction. Experiences gained with cyclosporin were used in the development of further immunosuppressants.Cyclosporin causes selective inhibition of T-lymphocytes activation thus preventing production of some lymphokines, essential for the immune response to a foreign or autogennc antigen, i. e. the recipient's immune response to the graft antigens or the immune reaction of the organism to its own antigens respectively.Cyclosporin treatment does not have toxic effects on the bone marrow and the efficient immunosuppressivn is not associated with life treatening complications which were the main problem of previous immunosuppressive drugs. Side effects of cyclosporin are mainly nephrotoxicity and some metabolic disturbances. Cyclosporine dosage has to be adjusted individually and monitoring of its blond level is necessary.Indication of cyclosporin treatment is the privilege of specialists only but the medical professionals are with increasing frequency confonted patients treated with immunosuppressives. Therefore, it is essential to have basic knowledge of treatment and side-effects of cyclosporin.

Key words:
cyclosporin - clinical practice - transplantations - autoimmune diseases.