Nitrogen mustard in treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

CHASIS, Goldring, and Baldwin in 1949 reported on favorable use of methyl-bis (β-chloroethyl) amine hydrochloride (nitrogen mustard) in glomerulonephritis. 1 Their rationale for using this drug was based on the assumption that human glomerulonephritis is result of tissue alterations in kidneys induced by an antigen-antibody complex. 2 Nitrogen mustard is known to inhibit antibody production. Several confirmatory reports of use of agent in nephrotic syndrome have appeared in literature.* In a recent paper Baldwin, McLean, Chasis, and Goldring stated that evidence favoring use of nitrogen mustard in human glomerulonephritis is equivocal. 2 Dustan, Corcoran, and Haserick first used this drug in systemic lupus erythematosus with renal involvement. 5 Rohn and Bond administered nitrogen mustard to five patients who had systemic lupus erythematosus without renal damage. Three cases were benefited. 6 Since Duston's preliminary report, in 1951, we have treated 20 patients with active acute and subacute