BACKGROUND:
The treatment of severe morphea is challenging, and treatment experience concerning the use of immunosuppressive agents for this condition is limited.
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of cyclosporine, its tolerability, and its effect on skin sclerosis. Materials and
METHODS:
Patients with severe morphea who underwent treatment with cyclosporine were studied retrospectively.
RESULTS:
Five of 12 patients with morphea showed complete remission and 6 patients had partial remission at the end of therapy (9-46 months, median 14) under a median cyclosporine dose of 2.4 mg/kg. The mean affected body surface area fell from 50% (2-80, median 65) to 17% (0-40, median 18). Side effects were hypertension, elevated transaminases, cholesterol, and weight gain.
CONCLUSION:
Cyclosporine can be effective in morphea. The side effects were reversible. However, the duration of treatment with cyclosporine is limited because of its potential permanent side effects. Prospective placebo-controlled studies are needed to establish the superiority of cyclosporine over other immunosuppressive drugs in this setting. Acne is an important health issue with a major psychological impact in addition to the physical problems it causes.
Dermatology. 2016; 232(4):503-510, © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.