Therapeutic strategies in autoimmune disease: cyclosporin A as a model agent.

Cyclosporin A is the derivative of the cyclic undecapeptide which is produced by 2 strains of fungi, Cylindrocapon lucidum Booth and Tolypocladium inflatum Gams. The drug has achieved widespread use in the treatment of organ transplant recipients as a vanguard against rejection, and currently is being evaluated as an immunosuppressive agent for the therapy of primary autoimmune phenomena as well. Its mechanism of action, and application to the treatment of rheumatologic disorders will be discussed.