TREATMENT OF IMMUNOLOGIC DISEASES WITH CYTOSTATICS

Abstract

Abstract. Cytostatic treatment has been given to 40 patients with immunologic diseases. Thirty‐one patients had connective tissue diseases, five patients primary renal disease, three immune hemolytic anemia and one patient bronchial asthma. Remission or improvement were obtained in 32 of the patients. Long‐term treatment was necessary, the average duration of the cytostatic therapy being 14 months, range from 3/2 to 50 months. Withdrawal of the cytostatic drug without flare‐up of the disease activity was possible only in 14 out of 32 patients in whom the cytostatic therapy had been efficient. In 22 out of 39 patients who had been on long‐term glucocorticoid medication, the steroid therapy could be permanently discontinued. A statistically significant fall was observed in serum gamma‐globulin, and the titer of rheumatoid factor and LE factor decreased in 23 out of 35 initially positive reactions. Four patients died from pancytopenia and sepsis. The treatment requires careful supervision of the patients and should only be given on strict indications.