Title:Cyclosporine A: Chemistry and Toxicity – A Review
Volume: 28
Issue: 20
Author(s): Jiri Patocka, Eugenie Nepovimova, Kamil Kuca*Wenda Wu*
Affiliation:
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove 50003,Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove 50003,Czech Republic
Keywords:
Cyclosporine A, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, signaling pathway.
Abstract: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a cyclic undecapeptide with strong immunosuppressive
potency. Firstly marketed in the mid-1980s, CsA was widely used in transplantation and
greatly improved the survival rates of patients and grafts after solid-organ transplantation. Unfortunately,
CsA administration can be associated with a number of side effects due to its high
toxicity. These side effects seriously limited the clinical use of CsA. Therefore, it is important
to understand the serious side effects of CsA in patients, especially in transplantation. In this
review article, the chemistry and most known toxic effects of CsA, including the nephrotoxic,
hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, and cardiotoxic effects, are summarized. Its available toxicity data
(different species, different administration routes), published formerly, are also summarized.
In addition, the molecular pathways of toxicity induced by CsA are also discussed in detail. It
is hoped that this review will help to further understand the source, chemistry, and clinical
application of CsA in patients as well as the potential mechanisms of CsA-induced toxicity.
