title: Prednimustin treatment in primary biliary cirrhosis: a preliminary study.
abstract: We observed a decrease in serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatases (ALP) and IgM in five patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) treated with Prednimustin (Sterecyt) for 6 months. In contrast to pretreatment findings, C3 activation was undetectable during treatment in three patients where normalization of serum IgM was achieved. After discontinuation of Prednimustin, bilirubin and ALP levels rapidly returned to pretreatment values, although IgM remained normal for up to 6 months in some patients. We conclude that Prednimustin might be of value in patients with symptomatic PBC where liver transplantation is not an option, and that it should be evaluated in a controlled study. However, the rapid reactivation of the disease after conclusion of treatment must be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Danielsson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Prytz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eriksson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011238:Prednimustine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011238:Prednimustine