|
| Reference | Pts | Study design and CsA treatment details in responders after induction therapy with CsA | Synopsis of efficacy results |
|
| [44] | 51 | Continuous regimen (at the lowest effective dose) or intermittent treatment (discontinuation with 12-week courses in the event of relapse) for 9 months | PASI 75 response rates significantly higher with continuous treatment (92% versus 62%).
Median effective maintenance daily doses: 3 (2.5–3.8) for intermittent schedule and 1.8 (0.7–3) mg/kg for continuous regimen. |
|
| [45] | 31 | Continuous regimen with 0.5–3 mg/kg/d or intermittent regimen, with dose tapering off and use of topical steroids, when necessary, until relapse (mean follow-up: 55.9 months) | Decrease of PASI by more than 70% from baseline with both regimens.
Better overall control of psoriasis with continuous therapy. |
|
| [36] | 217 | 1.25, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg/d for 6 to 30 months | Maintenance of clinical improvement during maintenance therapy in pts achieving the PASI 75 with their individual dose of CsA.
12.5% of the pts maintained on 1.25 mg/kg/d without loss of efficacy. |
|
| [12] | 251 | 2.5 mg/kg/d (escalated to 5 mg in case of relapse) for 12 wks | Maintenance of response until month 10 in 68–77% of pts on 2.5 mg/kg/d |
|
| [46] | 181 | 1.5 or 3 mg/kg/d (or placebo) for 6 months | Psoriasis relapse in 42% of pts on 3 mg/kg/d versus 84% of pts on placebo.
Median time to relapse: 6 wks with both placebo and CsA 1.5 mg/kg/d |
|
| [47] | 61 | 1.5 or 3 mg/kg/d (or placebo) for maximum 16 wks | Mean time to relapse: 12 wks in the 3 mg/kg, 9 wks in the 1.5 mg/kg, and 7 wks in the placebo groups, without differences between the latter two groups.
Absence of relapse in 57% of pts on 3 mg/kg versus 21% and 5% of the 1.5 mg/kg and placebo groups, respectively. |
|
| [6] | 400 | Intermittent treatment up to four courses (2.5–5 mg/kg/d for a maximum of 12 wks) within 1 year | Absence of relapse in 45% of pts 16 wks after stopping treatment and in 31% after 24 wks. |
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