title: Cyclophosphamide treatment in polyarteritis nodosa.
abstract: Five male patients with polyarteritis nodosa were treated with cyclophosphamide as follows: 3 mg/Kg/die i.v. up to maximum of 3 g.; subsequently, 200 mg/die per os for two weeks, then 100 mg per os every other day for three months; finally, 100 mg every fourth day until the 18th month. One patient, who also had fever, received 25 mg/die of prednisone for the initial three weeks of treatment. Before treatment ESR, WBC, and circulating immune-complexes were increased, while C3a, C3c and C4 serum complement components levels were normal. Skin ulcers healed within 4 months. A progressive marked improvement of visceral damages in the first months of therapy have been noted (e.g. blood pressure values in normal range after suspension of concomitant antihypertensive treatment, regression of peripheral neuropathy, etc. etc.). No further ischemic lesions occurred during treatment. Significant decreases of ESR and serum immune-complexes levels were detected. No untoward effects due to cyclophosphamide were observed. These findings support the effectiveness of this drug in polyarteritis. The possibility of association with glucocorticoids during the acute phase of disease is also discussed.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oriente
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riccio
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Farinaro
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Farinaro
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vignone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pucino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010488:Polyarteritis Nodosa / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D011241:Prednisone