Cyclosporine Reduces Sclerosis in Morphea: A Retrospective Study in 12 Patients and a Literature Review.

ABSTRACT

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.