Cyclosporine Treatment of Glomerular Diseases

Cyclosporine-A is primary therapy for organ transplantation. Its immunosuppressive effect might suggest a therapeutic role in autoimmune diseases, including several idiopathic and secondary glomerular conditions. Various forms of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), minimal change disease (MCD), and membranous nephropathy (MN), may respond well to cyclosporine in selected patients. However, frequent relapse limits its use to those who have failed to respond to, or were intolerant of, steroids or cytotoxics. Cyclosporine's efficacy in other glomerulopathies, such as IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) remains poorly studied and, given the risk of nephrotoxicity, cannot be recommended for treatment of these entities until further data are available. Cyclosporine demonstrates some efficacy in treating proliferative lupus nephritis and, based on pilot study data, membranous lupus as well. Again, given relapse rates and potential nephrotoxicity, it should be used only in combination with azathioprine and steroids, assuming cytotoxic therapy has failed. Finally, cyclosporine toxicity is briefly reviewed.