PROMOTION OF CORNEAL ALLOGRAFT SURVIVAL WITH LEFLUNOMIDE

Purpose. The efficacy of the antirejection drug leflunomide was evalua ted in a rat model of penetrating keratoplasty. Methods. Corneal graft s from inbred Lewis rats were transplanted orthotopically to inbred Wi star-Furth (WF) recipients. WF rats received either Leflunomide (HWA 4 86), the active metabolite of leflunomide (A77-1726A), or cyclosporin A, administered orally beginning 2 days before transplantation and con tinuing for 30 days thereafter. Graft survival was assessed clinically three times per week, and mean survival times were determined. Result s. Oral administration of either leflunomide or the salt of its active metabolite resulted in a significant prolongation of graft survival t ime. Moreover, almost one third of the grafts survived for an addition al 3 weeks, even after drug treatment was discontinued. Conclusion. Th e results indicate that leflunomide holds considerable promise as an a ntirejection drug for use in recipients of corneal transplants in whom cyclosporin A and steroids are contraindicated.