The new programme for the use of cyclosporin A (CyA) in RA is based on the hypothesis that the drug is more efficacious and better tolerated in early RA and that it can be used as part of therapy with a rational combination of drugs. This paper gives some examples of the ongoing and planned studies that have been set up to test that hypothesis. The development of CyA therapy of RA is a stepwise process. The next steps depend on the outcome of current trials and also on our ability to identify progressive RA at a very early stage.