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Cyclosporin A (CsA)
Cyclosporin A inhibits calcineurin phosphatase, blocking T-cell activation and proliferation by preventing IL-2 transcription.
Cyclosporin A inhibits calcineurin phosphatase, blocking T-cell activation and proliferation by preventing IL-2 transcription. Used for Organ transplant rejection prophylaxis (kidney, heart, liver, pancreas), Autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis, Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prevention and treatment.
At a glance
| Generic name | Cyclosporin A (CsA) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Sandimmun Optoral |
| Sponsor | Peking Union Medical College Hospital |
| Drug class | Calcineurin inhibitor |
| Target | Calcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Immunology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Cyclosporin A binds to cyclophilin, and this complex inhibits calcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B), which normally dephosphorylates NFAT transcription factors. By blocking NFAT nuclear translocation, CsA prevents IL-2 and other cytokine production essential for T-cell activation and clonal expansion. This potent immunosuppressive effect makes it valuable in transplantation and autoimmune diseases.
Approved indications
- Organ transplant rejection prophylaxis (kidney, heart, liver, pancreas)
- Autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis
- Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prevention and treatment
Common side effects
- Nephrotoxicity
- Hypertension
- Tremor
- Gingival hyperplasia
- Hirsutism
- Infections
- Neurotoxicity (headache, confusion)
- Hyperkalemia
Key clinical trials
- Radiation- and Alkylator-free Bone Marrow Transplantation Regimen for Patients With Dyskeratosis Congenita (PHASE2)
- Campath/Fludarabine/Melphalan Transplant Conditioning for Non-Malignant Diseases (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- A Study to Evaluate Axatilimab Versus Best Available Therapy in Participants With Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease After at Least 2 Prior Lines of Systemic Therapy (PHASE3)
- A Study to Evaluate Axatilimab Versus Best Available Therapy in Pediatric Participants With Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease After at Least 2 Prior Lines of Systemic Therapy (AGAVE-256) (PHASE2)
- Study on the Efficacy and Safety of the TmBU Conditioning Regimen in High-risk or Relapsed/Refractory Acute Leukemia (PHASE2)
- Effect of Anti-Psoriatic Biologics on Risk of Anogenital Warts (CONDYPSO)
- This Study is a Non-interventional Disease Registry of Adolescent and Adult Patients With Atopic Dermatitis Who Initiate or Switch Any Systemic Treatment
- I-SPY COVID-19 TRIAL: An Adaptive Platform Trial for Critically Ill Patients (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Cyclosporin A (CsA) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Cyclosporin A (CsA) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital portfolio CI