SUPPRESSION OF AUTOIMMUNE-DISEASE IN NZB W F(1) MICE BY TREATMENT WITH THE NOVEL IMMUNOMODULATOR BTS-63155/

Autoimmune disease in NZB/W F1 mice was treated from 23 weeks of age w ith the novel immunomodulator BTS 63155 and, for comparative purposes, the established immunosuppressive agent cyclosporin A. Both drugs sig nificantly improved survival compared with untreated controls. Lupus n ephritis was also significantly reduced in the drug-treated groups, an d this was related to reduced glomerular deposition of IgG. Autoantibo dy (ANA) levels were lowered by treatment with cyclosporin A, but not by BTS 63155. This latter finding may indicate a different mode of act ion for the two drugs. In a long term study, neither drug effected a c omplete cure, as autoimmune disease recurred on withdrawal of drug tre atment.