Efficacy and Side Effects of Cyclosporine

Efficacy and side effects of cyclosporine

Cyclosporin A, also known as cyclosporine or simply CsA, is a naturally occurring cyclic polypeptide that was first isolated from the fungus Tolypocladium inflatum. It is a potent immunosuppressant that has revolutionized the field of organ transplantation and has also found use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

CsA works by inhibiting the activity of T cells, which are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system's response to foreign invaders. Specifically, CsA binds to a protein called cyclophilin, which is found inside T cells. This binding prevents the activation of a key enzyme called calcineurin, which is necessary for the production of cytokines, the signaling molecules that trigger the immune response.

By blocking cytokine production, CsA effectively shuts down the immune response, thereby preventing the rejection of transplanted organs. It is typically used in combination with other immunosuppressive drugs, such as corticosteroids and azathioprine, to achieve maximum effect.

In addition to its use in transplantation, CsA has also been found to be effective in the treatment of a variety of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease. In these conditions, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, causing inflammation and tissue damage. By suppressing the immune response, CsA can help to reduce inflammation and prevent further tissue damage.

Despite its effectiveness, CsA has some significant drawbacks. It can cause a number of side effects, including kidney damage, high blood pressure, and increased risk of infection. Patients taking CsA must be closely monitored for these and other potential complications.

In recent years, researchers have been exploring new uses for CsA beyond its immunosuppressive properties. For example, it has been found to have anti-cancer effects, and is being studied as a potential treatment for a variety of different types of cancer. It has also been found to have neuroprotective effects, and is being investigated as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

In conclusion, CsA is a powerful immunosuppressant that has revolutionized the field of organ transplantation and has found use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. While it has some significant drawbacks, its potential for new applications, such as anti-cancer and neuroprotective treatments, make it an exciting area of research for the future.

Cyclosporine is an immune system-suppressing drug (immunosuppressant). It is used to weaken the body's natural immune system and to prevent or treat GVHD in hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Efficacy

Cyclosporin is a potent immunosuppressant consisting of a cyclic peptide consisting of 11 amino acids. Clinically, it is mainly used for anti-rejection reaction of liver, kidney and heart transplantation. It can also be used with adrenocortical hormone to treat immune diseases.

Mechanism of action

Cyclosporin has a selective inhibitory effect on T lymphocyte subsets, and can effectively inhibit the activity of helper T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. The main mechanism is to inhibit the differentiation, proliferation and expression of HLA-II antigen of stationary Th cells, thereby reducing the synthesis and secretion of Th cells releasing lymphocytes and indirectly affecting B cells. Cyclosporine A can bind to the intracellular immunophilin, thus inhibiting the activation of helper T cells, reducing the reactivity to interleukin-2, further affecting the differentiation of B lymphocytes, and inhibiting the occurrence of immune responses mediated by it. Cyclosporine A has a good inhibitory effect on both cellular and humoral immunity, so it can act on both cellular and humoral immunity. Cyclosporine A can inhibit apoptosis through two mechanisms.

Side Effect

• 1. Renal toxicity, which is also the main side effect of cyclosporine. However, this functional nephrotoxicity usually does not cause permanent kidney damage and can be restored after reduction or discontinuation. Moreover, chronic nephrotoxicity of cyclosporine is closely related to individual susceptibility, which means that not everyone who uses cyclosporine will have nephrotoxicity and it is different from person to person. Therefore, creatinine, urea nitrogen and other renal function related indicators should be closely monitored before and during medication, and medication should be adjusted in time. This is also why after using the drug, the doctor repeatedly stressed that we must return to the doctor regularly, regularly check the blood routine, liver and kidney function.
• 2. Hypertension: some patients can have hypertension after cyclosporine treatment. The incidence is similar in adults and children, and hypertension caused by cyclosporine treatment can mostly be controlled with drugs. Elderly patients should be especially careful, and patients with high blood pressure should be cautious about using this drug. Therefore, patients with hypertension need to inform your doctor, so that he has a comprehensive understanding of your physical condition, in order to better safe medication.
• 3. Like other immunosuppressants, cyclosporine increases the risk of lymphoma and other malignancies, especially skin cancer. For lymphoproliferative diseases, immediate discontinuation was found to be effective. Due to the potential risk of malignant skin lesions, patients taking cyclosporine should avoid excessive exposure to UV rays.
• 4. There are other side effects such as malignant tumor, hirsute, gingival hyperplasia, gastrointestinal disturbances, paresthesia, tremors or headaches, but these side effects usually disappear with reduction or discontinuation of cyclosporine.