title: Pulse cyclophosphamide in the treatment of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect of pulse cyclophosphamide treatment was retrospectively assessed in 25 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with central nervous system involvement. All patients who tested positive for anti-phospholipid antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide pulses (500 mg) were administered weekly in all patients. Twenty-four out of 25 patients attained a good response (after a mean of 11 days). Cyclophosphamide was well tolerated in all patients with only minor side effects. None of the patients experienced ovarian failure, cystitis or herpes zoster.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weekly low-dose cyclophosphamide pulses appear to be safe and effective for the management of neuropsychiatric manifestations in SLE patients without antiphospholipid antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Lupus Arthritis Research Unit, Rayne Institute, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Ames
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khamashta
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide