Cyclosporin as a treatment for interstitial lung disease of unknown aetiology

Date
1991
Authors
Moolman J.A.
Bardin P.G.
Rossouw D.J.
Joubert J.R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Ten patients with progressive, symptomatic interstitial lung disease of unknown aetiology who were treated with cyclosporin A were reviewed. Five had clinical and histopathological features of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis and five a progressive restrictive lung disease characterised by interstitial infiltration with lymphocytes and minimal fibrosis, which could not be classified precisely. Three patients with lymphocytic infiltration showed a response to initial treatment with cyclosporin A alone at high dosage, but toxicity precluded further treatment. All 10 patients then received low doses of cyclosporin A and prednisone. Three of the patients with cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis and all five patients with lymphocytic infiltration responded with a reduction in dyspnoea or an increase in vital capacity, or both; cyclosporin A appeared to be effective, or at least to have a corticosteroid potentiating effect. A high incidence of side effects occurred, though these do not necessarily prohibit the long term use of cyclosporin A when it is indicated clinically. Cyclosporin A may be effective in the treatment of interstitial lung disease of unknown aetiology. Further studies are required to determine the long term outcome of treatment.
Description
Keywords
azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin a, penicillamine, prednisone, adult, article, clinical article, female, fibrosing alveolitis, human, interstitial lung disease, male, priority journal, restrictive lung disease, Adult, Aged, Cyclosporine, Drug Therapy, Combination, Human, Middle Age, Prednisone, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Retrospective Studies, Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Citation
Thorax
46
8