Cyclosporin (the drug for preventing organ rejection after transplant) as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent in stable asthma

Evans DJ, Cullinan P, Geddes DM, Walters EH, Milan SJ, Jones P

Published Online:

November 10, 2010

Some people with asthma need to rely on corticosteroid drugs to control their asthma. Corticosteroids help reduce the inflammation (swelling) of the airways (passages to the lungs) associated with asthma. Long-term use of these drugs may have serious adverse effects, so other ways to try and cut down on the need for corticosteroids are sometimes tried. Cyclosporin is the drug used to prevent organ rejections after transplants, and it can be used for other conditions involving inflammation (such as arthritis). The review of trials found that cyclosporin has a small impact on asthma symptoms, but it has major serious adverse effects.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Patients with chronic severe asthma are often dependent on the long term prescription of oral corticosteroids. The use of steroids is associated with serious side effects. Physicians treating such patients continue to search for alternative therapies that reduce the need for chronic dosing with oral steroids. Cyclosporin is an immunosuppressive agent and has benefits in the treatment of a number of inflammatory disorders. It has therefore been identified as an potentially useful agent in the treatment of chronic severe asthma both in terms of possible efficacy and as a steroid sparing agent.

Objectives:

The objective of this review was to assess the effects of adding cyclosporin to oral steroids in the treatment of chronic steroid dependent asthmatics.

Search strategy:

The Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register and reference lists of identified articles were searched. The most recent search was conducted in September 2010.

Selection criteria:

Randomised trials looking at the addition of cyclosporin compared to placebo in adult steroid dependent asthmatics.

Data collection and analysis:

Trial quality was assessed and data extraction was carried out by two reviewers independently. Study authors were contacted for missing information.

Main results:

Three trials fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the review and a total of 106 patients were recruited into these studies. Data from 98 patients could be analysed. There was a small but significant treatment effect for cyclosporin in terms of steroid dose reduction (SMD -0.5, 95% CI -1.0, -0.04). No meta-analyses could be performed for measures of lung function although one study showed small, but significant improvements in lung spirometry.

Authors' conclusions:

The changes with cyclosporin are small and of questionable clinical significance. Given the side effects of cyclosporin, the evidence available does not recommend routine use of this drug in the treatment of oral corticosteroid dependent asthma.

This record should be cited as:

Evans DJ, Cullinan P, Geddes DM, Walters EH, Milan SJ, Jones P. Cyclosporin as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent in stable asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2001, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD002993. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002993

Assessed as up to date:

September 3, 2010

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Primary Review Group:

Airways Group

Asthma topics:

Treating with Medications > Steroids > Steroid sparing agents

Health topics:

Lungs & airways > Asthma (chronic) > Steroid-sparing

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Cyclosporin (the drug for preventing organ rejection after transplant) as an oral corticosteroid sparing agent in stable asthma

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