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.