[New therapeutic perspectives for arsenic: from acute promyelocytic leukemia to autoimmune diseases].
Since 1996, arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is used to treat patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. We have recently shown that As2O3 is a novel promising therapeutic agent for the autoimmune diseases (human lupus-like syndrome) and the massive lymphoproliferation (human autoimmune lymphoproliferative-like syndrome) developed by MRL/lpr mice. As2O3 is able to achieve an almost complete regression of antibody- and cell-mediated manifestations in MRL/lpr mice. As2O3 eliminated the activated T lymphocytes responsible for lymphoproliferation and skin, lung, and kidney lesions. This treatment also markedly reduced anti-DNA autoantibodies, rheumatoid factor, IL-18, IFN-gamma, nitric oxide metabolites, TNF-alpha, Fas ligand and IL-10 levels, and immune-complex deposits in glomeruli, leading to significantly prolonged survival rates.
Bobé
Pierre
P
CNRS FRE 2937, Institut André Lwoff, 7 rue Guy Moquet, 94801 Villejuif Cedex, France. bobe@infobiogen.fr
Chelbi-Alix
Mounira K
MK
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001151:Arsenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D010087:Oxides / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D010087:Oxides; D001151:Arsenic; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide