Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant derived from the fungus Tolypocladium inflatum. It was discovered in 1970 and found to be an immunosuppressant in 1976. Cyclosporine works by suppressing T-cell function to prevent transplant rejection. It was approved for use in organ transplants in 1983 and for severe psoriasis in 1997. Cyclosporine comes with risks of increased infection and kidney toxicity due to its immunosuppressive effects.

1. BY: PRIYANKA THAKER

2. History of Cyclosporine
 Comes from the fungus Tolypocladium inflatum which was
discovered in 1970.
 Tolypocladium inflatum was isolated from Norwegian soil samples.
 Found to be immunosuppressant-- cyclosporine in 1976 by J. F. Borel
 Cyclosporine was approved for use in 1983 to prevent graft
rejection in transplants.
 Approved for the treatment of severe psoriasis in 1997.

3. Scientific Classification
 Kingdom: Fungi
 Phylum: Asomycota
 Class: Sordariomycetes
 Subclass: Sordariomycetidae
 Order: Hypocreales
 Family: Ophiocordycipitaceae
 Genus: Tolypocladium
 Species: T. inflatum

4. Uses of cyclosporine
 Is an immunosuppressant which suppress or reduce the strength of the
immune system
 Cyclosporine is used to prevent transplant rejection in people who have
undergone kidney, heart and liver transplants.
 It is approved in the US for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,
severe psoriasis and as an ophthalmic emulsion for the treatment of dry eyes
(Restasis).
 Also used in severe atopic dermatitis ,Kimura's disease, pyoderma
gangrenosum, chronic autoimmune urticaria

5. Plaque Psoriasis Patients
 Plaque psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is partially due to an
overactive immune system. It causes the body to grow skin cells at a rapid rate
causing these skin cells to pile on top of each other forming red patches--- plaque.
 In 1997, the Federal Drug administration approved Neoral (cyclosporine) for the
treatment of patients with severe psoriasis.
 Usage of cyclosporine suppresses the growth of skin cells
 Only used for SEVERE plaque psoriasis if prior methotrexate use is insufficient.
 Cyclosporine is highly effective in clearing psoriasis and can prevent relapse.
 Not recommended for people who have a weak immune system since cyclosporine
is an immunosuppresant.
 Side effects
 Kidney problems
 High BP
 Skin cancer

6. Structure of Cyclosporine
 It was shown to have 11 amino acids and was determined to play a
significant role in organ transplants.
 Cyclic polypeptide

7. How Does Cyclosporine Work?
 As cyclosporine enters the body, it suppresses T- cell
function.
 Reducing T- cell function will enable successful
transplantation since T cells purpose of function is to kill
off objects viewed as foreign.
 Cyclosporine reduces the T cell function without
affecting B cell function and the production of
antibodies. Therefore, suppressing T-cell function allows
for the transplanted organ to be accepted without a
problem.
 Not all organ transplants will be rejected by the body.
However, cyclosporine is used as precautionary
measures.

8. Negative Effects of Cyclosporine
 Because cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant, it may cause patients to
be vulnerable to OTHER health problems. IT IS VERY TOXIC!!!
 Usage of cyclosporine may cause high BP, kidney problems. It also
encourages cancerous tumor growth.
 Side effects: headache, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach,
cramps, increased hair growth, tremor, swollen/red/painful gums,
dizziness.
 Serious side effects: dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe
stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin/eyes, vomit that looks like
coffee grounds, change in the appearance or size of skin moles/lesions,
changes in skin color, loss of consciousness, mental/mood changes,
vision changes, swollen glands, unusual lumps, night sweats

9. Forms of Cyclosporine
 This medicine is usually given 4 to 12 hours before organ
transplantation via needle placed in a vein
 Comes in the form of oral capsule and solution (liquid)
 Solution must be mixed with a liquid such as orange juice or milk.
NO GRAPE FRUIT OR GRAPEFRUIT JUICE!!!
 Comes in the brand name Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune Capsules,
Sandimmune Oral solution

10. Works Cited
 "Cyclosporine (Intravenous Route)." - Drugs and Supplements. http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-
supplements/cyclosporine-intravenous-route/description/drg-20067296 Thomson Healthcare Inc,
1 Feb. 2014. 4 4
 "Cyclosporine Oral : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing -
WebMD." WebMD. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-5108-CYCLOSPORINE+SOLUTION+-
+ORAL.aspx?drugid=5645&drugname=cyclosporine+oral , n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
 "Cyclosporine: MedlinePlus Drug Information." U.S National Library of Medicine.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601207.html , 27 Mar. 2014.
 Moore, David. "David Moore's World of Fungi: Where Mycology Starts." 4.1: The Cyclosporine
Story. http://www.davidmoore.org.uk/Sec04_01.htm N.p., 7 June 2012.
 Wells, Kendra. " Cyclosporine." Cyclosporine.
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2011/wells_kend/cyclosporine.htm N.p., 16 Apr. 2011. 4
 http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/3963/1/31735062115443.pdf
 http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=21718