We describe three cases of nephrotic syndrome with a contra-indication for steroid therapy successfully treated with cyclosporin A (CsA). A 21-year-old man with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) complicated by necrosis of the femoral head, and a 34-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man with minimal change disease (MCD) complicated by psychogenic reaction and diabetes mellitus, respectively, were given CsA at initial dosages of 3.8-5.0 mg/kg/day and immediately remitted completely. However, two of these patients suffered relapses when CsA was tapered. They are currently maintained in complete or partial remission on CsA at dosages of 3.2-4.7 mg/kg/day. These findings suggest that CsA mono-therapy may be useful in nephrotic syndrome patients contra-indicated for steroid therapy.
(Internal Medicine 38: 272-275, 1999)