Efficacy of Low-Dose Cyclosporine in Severe Atopic Skin Disease

Abstract
To the Editor.— Cyclosporine is a drug that is new to dermatology and, therefore, awaits further study.1,2 Its use, however, must be closely monitored because of possible side effects.1 Recently, in psoriasis the favorable effect of low-dose cyclosporine (≤5 mg/ kg/d) treatment in patients with severe drug-resistant psoriasis has been reported.3,4 Studies on cyclosporine therapy in severe cases of drug-resistant atopic dermatitis have not yet been reported, to our knowledge. Report of a Case.— We have observed the temporary effect of short-term cyclosporine treatment in two women (Table), with severe, drug-resistant, pruritic, activedisseminated, chronic prurigolike lesions and eczema. Case 1 was classified as atopic dermatitis with serum IgE levels greater than or equal to 20000 IU/mL (≥48000 μg/L). Clinical Data on Cyclosporine Treatment in Two Patients With Severe Drug Resistant Atopic Dermatitis Body Area Affected, % Improve-Patient ment Cyclosporine No./ After 4 After 4 Blood Age, y/ Start