title: Frentizole therapy of active systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Frentizole is a benzimidazoleurea that has immunosuppressive properties in mice. Eleven steroid-treated patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus received frentizole (150-350 mg/day) in combination with stable or decreasing doses of prednisone in an open label trial. Nine patients completed at least one 21- to 75-day course of therapy with this drug. Clinical parameters of disease improved in 8 of these 9 patients. Mean DNA binding decreased by 28%, mean CH50 increased by 20%, and mean absolute lymphocyte and T cell counts decreased by 25-26%. Granulocytopenia was not observed. Three patients developed reversible hepatic toxicity. Clinical and serologic improvement was noted in 3 patients who accepted a second 90-day course of frentizole therapy.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D052160:Benzothiazoles; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D013844:Thiazoles; C013997:frentizole; D011241:Prednisone