A review and update of the clinical uses of cyclosporine in dermatology.

Cyclosporine is a hitherto unique immunosuppressive agent that has provided a new approach to therapy in autoimmune diseases and has been increasingly used as a molecular tool for the investigation of immune regulation. It has produced excellent therapeutic responses in the treatment of psoriasis, acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau, pyoderma gangrenosum, lichen planus, pityriasis lichenoides chronica, Behçets disease, and alopecia areata. Cyclosporine's mechanism of action, side effects, pharmacokinetics, and guidelines for patient monitoring, are discussed in this article.