Combination therapy of cyclosporine and anti‐tumor necrosis factor α in psoriasis: a case series of 10 patients

Combination therapy has become important in treating psoriasis, using synergism between different mechanisms to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity. Little has been published on the combination of cyclosporine and anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α agents. In this study, a retrospective chart review was made of the effects of this combination therapy in 10 patients with recalcitrant psoriasis. Treatment included a conditioning phase with cyclosporine, 3.14 ± 0.37 mg/kg for 4.6 ± 2 weeks, and a combination phase during which etanercept/adalimumab were initiated and cyclosporine was tapered over 10.2 ± 3.7 weeks. Treatment success, evaluated after each phase, was classified as complete recovery (CR, more than 75% improvement), partial response (PR, 25–75% improvement), and no response (NR, less than 25% improvement). All patients reached CR at the end of the combination therapy. Two were still on combination therapy after 12 and 20 weeks. Adverse event occurred in three cases, all in the conditioning phase. We conclude that combination therapy with cyclosporine and anti‐TNF α appears to offer an effective and safe approach to treatment of psoriasis.