Cyclosporine A for Refractory Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: Experience of 3 Tertiary Centers

Purpose: Cyclosporine A is a fifth-tier treatment option in the American Urological Association guidelines for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. It was more effective than pentosanpolysulfate in a Finnish trial, but experience elsewhere is limited. Some centers use cyclosporine A off label for carefully selected patients but the number of patients in each center is small. We performed a retrospective review combining data from 3 tertiary centers that focus on interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Materials and Methods: Charts were reviewed for patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome who received cyclosporine A. Response was defined as markedly improved on the 7-point global response assessment (2 centers) or as at least a 50% decrease in Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index score (1 center). Results: The study included 14 men and 30 women. Mean patient age was 55.5 years (range 27 to 75) and mean followup was 20.8 months (range 3 to 81). A total of 34 patients had Hunner lesions. Of these patients 29 (85%) responded but 6 eventually stopped cyclosporine A for adverse events, resulting in a success rate of 68% (23 of 34) for patients with Hunner lesions. In contrast, only 3 of 10 patients without Hunner lesions responded (30%). For all responders, the response occurred within 4 months. Conclusions: Cyclosporine A had a high success rate for patients with Hunner lesions in whom more conservative options, including endoscopic treatment, had failed. The success rate was low for patients without Hunner lesions. A 3 to 4-month trial is sufficient time to assess response. Adverse events were common and led to discontinuation of cyclosporine A for some patients. Close monitoring is needed, especially for blood pressure and renal function.