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ALOPECIA UNIVERSALIS TREATED WITH ORAL CYCLOSPORINE A AND PREDNISOLONE: IMMUNOLOGIC STUDIES
Author(s) -
TESHIMA HIDEKI,
URABE ATSUMICHI,
IRIE MASAHIRO,
NAKAGAWA TETSUYA,
NAKAYAMA JUICHIRO,
HORI YOSHIAKI
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1992.tb02706.x
Subject(s) - medicine , alopecia universalis , prednisolone , cd8 , immunology , hair loss , refractory (planetary science) , antibody , dermatology , immune system , pathology , gastroenterology , physics , astrobiology
Abstract Alopecia universalis is a refractory condition. Although the cause of this disease is unknown, immunologic abnormalities have recently been suspected. Thus, we treated six cases of refractory alopecia universalis with immunotherapy. Oral administration of cyclosporine A (2.5 mg/kg) and prednisolone (5 mg/day) resulted in marked symptomatic improvement. Cyclosporine A did not produce any side effects because the administered dosage was relatively low. At present, more than 6 months after the cessation of treatment, recurrence of alopecia has not been seen. Oral administration of low‐dose cyclosporine A and prednisolone is considered to be an effective treatment for this disease. Immunologic examination of peripheral blood demonstrated improvement of immunologic function. In particular, cos‐positive T cells, NK cells, and C3, which had been reduced, were increased. A reduction in active CD4 cells, eosinophils, and circulating immune complexes was observed. Histology with fluorescent antibodies showed T‐cell infiltration around the hair matrixes. This phenomenon was no longer observed after treatment. These improvements in immunologic function were seen in parallel with the resolution of the clinical symptoms, indicating that immunologic abnormalities are related to this disease.