Table 2.

Main studies with CsA after induction of remission in moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis.

Reference	Pts	Study design and CsA treatment details in responders after induction therapy with CsA	Synopsis of efficacy results
[44]	51	Continuous regimen (at the lowest effective dose) or intermittent treatment (discontinuation with 12-week courses in the event of relapse) for 9 months	PASI 75 response rates significantly higher with continuous treatment (92% versus 62%). Median effective maintenance daily doses: 3 (2.5–3.8) for intermittent schedule and 1.8 (0.7–3) mg/kg for continuous regimen.
[45]	31	Continuous regimen with 0.5–3 mg/kg/d or intermittent regimen, with dose tapering off and use of topical steroids, when necessary, until relapse (mean follow-up: 55.9 months)	Decrease of PASI by more than 70% from baseline with both regimens. Better overall control of psoriasis with continuous therapy.
[36]	217	1.25, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg/d for 6 to 30 months	Maintenance of clinical improvement during maintenance therapy in pts achieving the PASI 75 with their individual dose of CsA. 12.5% of the pts maintained on 1.25 mg/kg/d without loss of efficacy.
[12]	251	2.5 mg/kg/d (escalated to 5 mg in case of relapse) for 12 wks	Maintenance of response until month 10 in 68–77% of pts on 2.5 mg/kg/d
[46]	181	1.5 or 3 mg/kg/d (or placebo) for 6 months	Psoriasis relapse in 42% of pts on 3 mg/kg/d versus 84% of pts on placebo. Median time to relapse: 6 wks with both placebo and CsA 1.5 mg/kg/d
[47]	61	1.5 or 3 mg/kg/d (or placebo) for maximum 16 wks	Mean time to relapse: 12 wks in the 3 mg/kg, 9 wks in the 1.5 mg/kg, and 7 wks in the placebo groups, without differences between the latter two groups. Absence of relapse in 57% of pts on 3 mg/kg versus 21% and 5% of the 1.5 mg/kg and placebo groups, respectively.
[6]	400	Intermittent treatment up to four courses (2.5–5 mg/kg/d for a maximum of 12 wks) within 1 year	Absence of relapse in 45% of pts 16 wks after stopping treatment and in 31% after 24 wks.

CsA: cyclosporine; d: day; PASI: psoriasis area and severity index; PASI 75: PASI improvement of at least 75% from baseline; pts: patients.