Test ID: CYCSP
Cyclosporine, Blood
Secondary ID
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Monitoring whole blood cyclosporine concentration during therapy, particularly in individuals coadministered CYP3A4 substrates, inhibitors, or inducers
Adjusting dose to optimize immunosuppression while minimizing toxicity
Evaluating patient compliance
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Gengraf
Neoral
Sandimmune (Cyclosporine)
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw specimen immediately before a scheduled dose.
2. Do not centrifuge.
3. Send specimen in original tube.
Additional Information:
1. Therapeutic range applies to trough specimens drawn immediately prior to a.m. dose.
2. For specimens sent ambient, sirolimus analysis cannot be performed; if both are ordered, only cyclosporine result will be released. If sirolimus analysis is desired, specimen must be sent refrigerated or frozen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Icterus | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Blood EDTA | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Ambient | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Cyclosporine is a lipophilic polypeptide used to prevent rejection after solid organ transplantation; it suppresses T-cell activation by inhibiting calcineurin to decrease interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. There is substantial interpatient variability in absorption, half-life, and other pharmacokinetic parameters. Cyclosporine is extensively metabolized by CYP3A4 to at least 30 less-active metabolites, many of which are detected by immunoassays. Cyclosporine is known for many drug interactions, including increased neuro- and nephrotoxicity when coadministered with antibiotics, antifungals, or other immunosuppressants. Cyclosporine has a narrow therapeutic range with frequent adverse effects making therapeutic drug monitoring essential.
With 80% of cyclosporine sequestered in erythrocytes, whole blood is the preferred specimen for analysis. Dose is adjusted initially (up to 2 months posttransplant) to maintain concentrations generally between 150 ng/mL to 400 ng/mL. Target trough concentrations vary according to clinical protocol and depend on type of allograft, risk of rejection, concomitant immunosuppressive drugs, and toxicity. After the first 2 postoperative months, the target range is generally lower, between 75 ng/mL to 300 ng/mL. Conversion between formulations is generally done at the same dose but with drug monitoring.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
100-400 ng/mL
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Most individuals display optimal response to cyclosporine with trough whole blood levels 100 ng/mL to 400 ng/mL. Preferred therapeutic ranges may vary by transplant type, protocol, and comedications. Therapeutic ranges are based on specimens drawn at trough (ie, immediately before the next scheduled dose). Blood drawn at other times will yield higher results. This test may also be used to analyze cyclosporine levels 2 hours after dosing (C2 concentrations); trough therapeutic ranges do not apply to C2 specimens.
The assay is specific for cyclosporine; it does not cross-react with cyclosporine metabolites, sirolimus, sirolimus metabolites, tacrolimus, or tacrolimus metabolites. Results by liquid chromatography with detection by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) are approximately 30% less than by immunoassay.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
The recommended therapeutic ranges described above apply to trough specimens drawn just before a dose. Blood drawn at other times will yield higher results.
Clinical Reference
Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Moyer TP, Post GR, Sterioff S, et al: Cyclosporine nephrotoxicity is minimized by adjusting dosage on the basis of drug concentration in blood. Mayo Clin Proc 1988 March;63(3):241-247
2. Kahan BD, Keown P, Levy GA, et al: Therapeutic drug monitoring of immunosuppressant drugs in clinical practice. Clin Ther 2002 March; 24(3):330-350
3. Dunn CJ, Wagstaff AJ, Perry CM, et al: Cyclosporin: an updated review of the pharmacokinetic properties, clinical efficacy, and tolerability of a microemulsion-based formulation (Neoral) 1 in organ transplantation. Drugs 2001;61(13):1957-2016
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Blood specimens are subjected to protein precipitation. The resulting supernatant is analyzed by LC/MS/MS. (Charlson JC, Moyer TP. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, 4th edition. Edited by CA Burtis, ER Ashwood, DE Bruns. New York, WB Saunders Company, 2004)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed
Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Sunday; 1 p.m.
Analytic Time
Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time
Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
80158
LOINC® Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| 8931 | Cyclosporine, B | 3520-4 |
| DAT2 | Date of last dose | 29742-4 |
| TM53 | Time of last dose | 29637-6 |
| DOSE6 | Dose, mg | 4207-7 |


