Patients and methods

Five patients from the the Royal Brompton’s paediatric asthma clinic were treated with cyclosporin over a period of 18 months. All were tertiary referrals with poorly controlled asthma despite long term systemic steroids—at least 10 mg of prednisolone daily. Table 1presents the details.

Problems common to all five children were multiple previous attempts to decrease steroid dose and poor school attendance. Cushingoid appearance and loss of linear growth contributed to poor self image. All were on high dose inhaled steroids and had either failed to improve on oral theophylline or were unable to tolerate a high dose due to gastrointestinal side effects.

In each case, before considering an alternative treatment, there was a thorough review of the diagnosis, the minimum investigations being sweat test, immunoglobulins, barium swallow, and pH probe. Specific allergens were sought on detailed history and tested for with skin prick tests and specific IgE. Where appropriate, allergen avoidance measures were instituted. Other prescribed medication was reviewed and the issue of compliance addressed. A clinical psychologist assisted in all cases.

In each case, cyclosporin was offered as an open therapeutic trial on an individual basis. The need for close monitoring by blood tests was stressed. The cyclosporin dose was 5 mg/kg daily. Prednisolone was reduced to the extent allowed by symptoms and lung function monitoring.

MONITORING

Trough whole blood cyclosporin concentration together with electrolytes and creatinine was measured every two to three weeks. The dose was titrated to maintain blood concentrations 80–150 mg/l.5 Isotope glomerular filtration rate was measured before treatment was started and every three to four months thereafter.

Results

Table 1 shows the results for each case and figs 1-5 show the steroid dose during the time that the patients were taking cyclosporin.

Discussion

We report our experience in five children who had a therapeutic trial of cyclosporin. All of the patients described had severe asthma and so were unable to stop taking systemic steroids. These represent the most refractory cases in our asthma clinic: about 1% of patients over that period of time. They were all steroid responsive, but needed unacceptably high doses to control their symptoms. None was clinically steroid resistant, although in vitro T cell function was not determined.

We undertook a thorough review of all aspects of management before considering cyclosporin. This is an essential first step because in many patients who are initially referred for a steroid sparing agent there are major issues such as poor compliance.6 The finding that almost all trials of steroid sparing agents in asthma show significant benefit with placebo, as well as the active drug, is important in this respect.4 5 This implies that some patients may be over treated with corticosteroids. In addition, some cases improve spontaneously over time, for example during puberty.

In the cases described, there was clear benefit in three patients, one had temporary, but unsustained benefit, and one did not respond. Three patients complained of hirsutism and this caused one, a teenage girl, to decide to stop taking the drug despite success in lowering her steroid dose and subjective improvement. None of the patients had any rise in creatinine, potassium, or blood pressure over baseline. One patient (case 4) had a 28% decline in isotope glomerular filtration rate, although no change in creatinine. One patient (case 5) had an episode of tender lymphadenopathy which was resolved when cyclosporin was temporarily stopped.

The experience of cyclosporin in adult asthmatics showed most side effects to be minor and tolerable (hirsutism, paraesthesia, tremor, headaches, mild hypertension).5 The main concern with cyclosporin is renal toxicity. Irreversible damage can occur, but was not reported in any of the trial patients.5

Unfortunately, the benefit of cyclosporin was shown to be lost once treatment is stopped.5 It is possible that a very low dose over the long term or even an inhaled/nebulised preparation might be beneficial.

In conclusion, we have treated five children, with good responses in three. An open study cannot, however, determine the place of cyclosporin in the management of these most difficult patients. A controlled multicentre trial is needed to generate sufficient suitable cases.