METHOTREXATE THERAPY IN CHILDHOOD SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

We evaluated the therapeutic potential of methotrexate (MTX) in patien ts with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Their serious disease rule d out further treatment with prednisone or prednisone plus cyclophosph amide. Low dose oral MTX (5-10 mg/week) was added to the therapy (pred nisone or prednisone plus cyclophosphamide) of 10 selected patients wi th SLE. Eight of them showed marked improvement and we were able to ta per prednisone and completely discontinue cyclophosphamide therapy. Ou r results suggest that the use of oral MTX in low, weekly doses can be useful as adjunctive therapy for selected cases of childhood SLE.