Ciclosporin is a calcineurin inhibitor used as an immunosuppressant medication, given to prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, nephrotic syndrome and eczema, as well as in eye drop form for dry eye disease. It works by forming a complex with the protein cyclophilin that blocks the enzyme calcineurin, reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines by T-lymphocytes and dampening the immune response. Employees of the pharmaceutical company Sandoz isolated new fungal strains from soil samples taken in Norway and Wisconsin, and in 1971 isolated ciclosporin from the fungus Tolypocladium inflatum; researcher Hartmann Stahelin discovered its immunosuppressive effect on January 31, 1972, and the drug's value was confirmed in kidney transplants by surgeon Roy Calne and in liver transplants by Thomas Starzl, ahead of its FDA approval in 1983. It appears on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
Facts
Drug ClassCalcineurin inhibitor used as an immunosuppressant 1 Mechanism of ActionBinds cyclophilin in T lymphocytes, inhibiting calcineurin 1 Approved UsePrevents transplant rejection and graft versus host disease 1 First Approved / Isolated Year Significant RiskIncreased risk of infection, liver problems and lymphoma 1 Classification
Approval Status ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own accountL: Antineoplastic and Immunomodulating Agents 2 Route of Administration WHO Essential MedicineSourced to the subject's own account Sources
1. Ciclosporin (Wikipedia)
Lead section
Ciclosporin, also spelled cyclosporine and cyclosporin, is a calcineurin inhibitor, used as an immunosuppressant medication.
Mechanism of action section
Ciclosporin binds to the cytosolic protein cyclophilin (immunophilin) of lymphocytes, especially of T cells.
Medical uses section
Ciclosporin is indicated to treat and prevent graft-versus-host disease in bone marrow transplantation and to prevent rejection of kidney, heart, and liver transplants.
History section
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ciclosporin for clinical use in 1983.
Side effects section
Other severe side effects include an increased risk of infection, liver problems, and an increased risk of lymphoma.
- Regulatory approval status
View the Source2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code LQuote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code L
Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents
3. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciclosporin, lead sectionQuote, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciclosporin, lead section
organ transplants to prevent rejection. It is also used as eye drops for keratoconjunctivitis sicca. It is a cyclic peptide with chain length 11.
4. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Immunomodulators for non-malignant disease sectionQuote, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Immunomodulators for non-malignant disease section
Ciclosporin
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