Cyclosporin A in asthma therapy: a pharmacological rationale

Abstract

Lymphocytes play a central role in immunological reactions and control the mobilisation and recruitment into lung tissue of eosinophils and mast cells. Since cyclosporin A can profoundly influence lymphocyte activation, it is appropriate to consider this drug as a novel anti-asthma therapy. Inhalation of low doses of cyclosporin A strongly inhibits the influx of inflammatory cells into the airways during acute allergic reactions, even though associated bronchospasm and airway hyper-reactivity are undiminished. It is suggested that cyclosporin A will be an effective anti-asthma therapy with an anti-asthma profile resembling that of established glucocorticosteroids.