Treatment of severe and difficult cases of systemic lupus erythematosus with tacrolimus: a report of three cases
Article Abstract:
The drug tacrolimus may be effective in treating patients with severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who do not respond to conventional treatment. Three patients with severe inflammation of the blood vessels in the skin due to SLE were treated conventionally and did not respond. Treatment with tacrolimus resulted in control of the disease in two of the patients, at doses of 0.06 milligrams/kilogram/day and 0.18 mg/kg/day, with acceptable side effects. The third patient did not respond, and treatment was discontinued due to kidney toxicity. This apparent success rate of 64% merits further investigation.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1997
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Is there a future for extracorporeal photochemotherapy in the treatment of the rheumatological diseases?
Article Abstract:
There have been very few studies of extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP), but all of them suggest it can be highly beneficial in treating rheumatic diseases. In ECP, after an oral dose of methoxypsoralen, blood is removed, exposed to ultraviolet A light and infused back into the patient. In its first test, 37 patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma were treated with ECP and 27 improved. Similar positive results were seen in limited studies of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Large scale controlled trials have yet to be done.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1997
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An audit of cyclosporin for systemic lupus erythematosus and related overlap syndromes: limitations of its use
Article Abstract:
Cyclosporin is not always effective for treating systemic lupus erythematosus. In a study of 43 patients, 83% eventually stopped taking it after a few months either because it wasn't effective or had too many side effects.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 2000
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