Cyclosporin A: A New Drug in the Field of Canine Dermatology
March 2004
in “
Veterinary Dermatology
”
cyclosporin immunomodulating properties cytokines T lymphocytes mast cells Langerhans cells eosinophils keratinocytes glucocorticoids atopic dermatitis perianal fistulas pharmacokinetic properties emesis diarrhea gingival hyperplasia verruciform lesions hypertrichosis cyclosporine immune system cytokine genes T cells mast cells Langerhans cells eosinophils skin cells steroids eczema anal fistulas drug absorption vomiting diarrhea gum overgrowth wart-like lesions excessive hair growth
TLDR Cyclosporin is effective in treating dog skin diseases and has fewer side effects compared to other treatments.
In 2004, researchers found that cyclosporin, a drug with potent immunomodulating properties, was effective in treating canine skin diseases. The drug was found to block the transcription of cytokines genes in activated T lymphocytes and inhibit immune allergic reactions in mast cells, Langerhans cells, eosinophils, and keratinocytes. In randomized controlled trials, cyclosporin was as effective as glucocorticoids for treating canine atopic dermatitis at a dosage of 5 mg/kg. It also proved beneficial for treating perianal fistulas in dogs. The drug's pharmacokinetic properties were similar in dogs and humans, but its safety margin was much wider in dogs. Adverse reactions in dogs were mainly transient emesis and diarrhea during the first days of treatment, with other reactions like gingival hyperplasia, verruciform lesions, and hypertrichosis being dose-dependent and rare at therapeutic doses. Increased susceptibility to infections was not reported in dogs receiving this drug.
