TY - JOUR T1 - Cyclosporin A: a powerful immunosuppressant JF - Canadian Medical Association Journal JO - CMAJ SP - 1041 LP - 1046 VL - 126 IS - 9 AU - A. Laupacis AU - P. A. Keown AU - R. A. Ulan AU - N. McKenzie AU - C. R. Stiller Y1 - 1982/05/01 UR - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/126/9/1041.abstract N2 - Cyclosporin A (CyA) is a powerful immunosuppressive agent whose lack of myelotoxicity makes it unique among nonsteroidal drugs currently given for immunosuppression. It has been used with initial success in recipients of kidney, liver, bone marrow and pancreas transplants, and it may also have clinical application in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. In regard to its use in transplant recipients, there are many remaining questions about its mechanism of action, the optimum dose, whether it should be used alone or with other immunosuppressants, whether it can suppress chronic rejection and what its long-term side effects may be. These questions can only be answered by further careful laboratory investigation and controlled clinical trials. Until then, CyA should only be administered in centres experienced in its use. ER -