[Concepts of the mechanisms of action of cyclosporin in psoriasis. A review with guidelines on therapy].

For severe forms of psoriasis ciclosporin has now been proven to be a clinically effective therapeutic regimen. Beside inhibiting T-cell activation, ciclosporin exerts various effects on other cells of the immune system, e.g. Langerhans cells, mast cells and endothelial cells. The influence of ciclosporin on these cells may be relevant to an understanding of its beneficial effect in psoriasis treatment. New information about the molecular mechanism of action regarding calcineurin-regulated signal transduction pathways provide further insight into the pharmacological effects. On the basis of new findings concerning the mode of action of ciclosporin and the results of recent multicentre studies in psoriasis, new guidelines for therapy are given.