Why can cyclosporin be so much more powerful than steroids when treating an autoimmune problem ?

Question

ie. pyoderma gangreenosis

Answer 1

I don't think it is correct to say that cyclosporin is "stronger" than steroids. Steroids suppress the immune system in a very general way - they act on most type of immune cells. They can suppress organ rejection, help people with asthma, or take down swelling after a spinal cord injury.

Cyclosporin works specifically to suppress the function T-cells, which are the cells "in charge" of activating the immune system against specific foreign invaders (ie viruses, organ transplants.) T-cells can also make mistakes and activate the immune system against its own body - pyoderma gangreenosis.

Long-term steroids cause many side effects like osteoporosis, bleeding, weight gain, and cataracts. Cyclosporin has fewer side effects, but can damage the kidneys. With either cyclosporin or steroids, you are more susceptible to infections (depending on the dose,) but because T-cells are in charge of activating specific types of immune responses, cyclosporin may leave you more open to certain opportunistic infections.

Answer 2

Cyclosporine is a medication designed to suppress the immune system. It has lesser and less serious side effects when used for a few months in comparison to steroids It acts quickly.

Answer 3

cyclosporin is an immuno-suppressant; i.e. it directly inhibits the activity of the immune system. steroids, e.g. cortisone, inhibit inflammation, which can be indirectly caused by an immune response. therefore, cyclosporin is more effective.