Monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide in the treatment of severe systemic lupus erythematosus.
An uncontrolled series of 10 patients with severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), resistant to or intolerant of other medications, were treated with a monthly intravenous bolus of cyclophosphamide. Nine of 10 patients experienced some beneficial results, several of which were quite dramatic and associated with substantial and protracted reductions in steroid requirement. Significant drug toxicity was noted in several patients. This therapy can be a useful therapeutic adjunct in carefully selected cases; however, we are not attempting to liberalize therapeutic indications for cyclophosphamide administration in SLE.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone