Treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with cyclosporin-A

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an immune mediated polyneuropathy for which there are effective therapies. However, not all patients improve with these treatments. Eight patients with CIDP, two with IgG monoclonal gammopathies, were treated with cyclosporin-A (3 to 5 mg/kg/day). In three, this treatment was successful. It was unsuccessful in four patients who were resistant to other treatments and in one who had initially received cyclosporin-A. There were no serious side effects. In selected patients with CIDP, cyclosporin-A is a potentially useful treatment.