Science Links Japan | Efficacy of cyclosporine A and tacrolimus in the treatment with refractory rheumatoid arthritis patients. TOP J-EAST List of Journal Titles (C) Clinical Rheumatology and Related Research(2002) Efficacy of cyclosporine A and tacrolimus in the treatment with refractory rheumatoid arthritis patients. KAWAKAMI ATSUSHI(Nagasaki Univ., Sch. of Med.) MIYASHITA TAIICHIRO(Nagasaki Univ., Sch. of Med.) YAMASAKI SATOSHI(Nagasaki Univ., Sch. of Med.) IDA HIROAKI(Nagasaki Univ., Sch. of Med.) MIGITA KIYOSHI(Nagasaki Univ., Sch. of Med.) EGUCHI KATSUMI(Nagasaki Univ., Sch. of Med.) TSUBOI MASAHIKO(Gotokaibyoin Naikariumachika) MATSUOKA NAOKI(Gotokaibyoin Naikariumachika) ORIGUCHI TOMOKI(Nagasaki Univ.) We have examined the efficacy of cyclosporine A and tacrolimus in refractory rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients. Cyclosporine A was administrated in 34 refractory RA patients. The patient group included 12 patients who had failed in methotrexate treatment and 10 patients who had discontinued methotrexate due to adverse effects. 8 patients, who could not be treated with methotrexate due to pulmonary complications, were also included in the patient group. After 12 months of treatment, 14 patients(41.2%) met the 20% response criteria set by the American College of Rheumatology(ACR), and 4 patients(11.8%) met the 50% response criteria set by the ACR. After 24 months of treatment, 9 patients(26.5%) achieved the 20% response criteria, and 3 patients(8.8%) met the 50% response criteria set by the ACR. 19 patients(55.9%) completed 12 months of treatment, and 15 patients(44.1%) tolerated well for 24 months. In addition, the decrement of prednisolone use(a decrease of more than 20% as compared with baseline dose) was achieved in around 70% of the patients treated at both 12 months and 24 months. We have also examined the use of tacrolimus in 5 refractory RA patients who had failed in the cyclosporine A treatment.
