Topical application of cyclosporine on guinea pig allergic contact dermatitis.

Topical cyclosporine applied to the test site substantially inhibited the elicitation reaction of contact sensitivity in the guinea pigs previously sensitized with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). This suppressive effect of the drug was short lived and reversible. Cyclosporine was not effective when given six hours or later after antigenic challenge to the test site. Cyclosporine had no effect on the toxic contact reaction in normal animals either to croton oil or to DNCB in high concentration. Cyclosporine applied topically to the challenge site also resulted in a reduction of retest and flare-up reactions of contact sensitivity to DNCB, but did not affect the production of generalized rash in the same animals. These results indicate that in the future local topical application of cyclosporine may make treatment of human cutaneous immune-mediated disorders a possibility without serious side effects.