Abstract

APPLICATION OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

ABSTRACT

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. It is a type III hypersensitivity reaction in which antibody immune complexes precipitate and causes a further immune response. It is treated with immunosuppressive agents mainly with cyclophosphamide, corticosteroids and other immunosuppressant. Diseases modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are used to reduce the incidence of flares, the process of the diseases and lower the need for steroid use, when flares occur, they are treated with corticosteroids. Cyclophosphamide is used for severe glomerulonephritis or other organ damaging complications. In more severe cases, medications that modulate the immune system are used to control the disease and prevent recurrence of symptoms. Numerous new immunosuppressive drugs are being actively tested for SLE.

Keywords: Systemic lupus erythematosus, cyclophosphamide, immunosuppressant, DNA, anti-DNA, cytokine recpetors.