Therapeutic plasmapheresis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Effect on immune complexes and antibodies to DNA.
The effect of plasmapheresis in 8 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was investigated. Drug treatment was maintained at a constant level for at least 4 weeks before plasmapheresis. Levels of immune complexes were measured by a Raji cell radioimmunoassay, and by a solid-phase C1q-binding assay. Antibodies to ds-DNA and ss-DNA were measured by the Farr assay. In all cases, immune complexes and antibodies were lowered by plasmapheresis. In 5 patients, plasmapheresis was followed by a rapid rebound of complexes and antibody to pretreatment levels. In 3 in whom plasmapheresis was followed by treatment with cyclophosphamide for 1 month, a sustained immunochemical and clinical improvement followed, lasting in 2 cases for up to 3 years.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D002738:Chloroquine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone