15-Deoxyspergualin (15-DOS) has a curative effect on the development of SLE-like autoimmune disease in MRL/1 mice.

Treating MRL/1pr mice, which spontaneously develop systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, with 15-DOS resulted in a decrease in the amount of autoantibodies and inhibited proteinuria of the developing glomerulonephritis with an improved survival rate of these autoimmune mice. 15-DOS treatment also lowered the percentage of animals with swollen lymph nodes and inhibited the development of splenomegaly. In the established disease 15-DOS returned urine-protein values and renal function (serum urea and creatinine) to normal levels. Circulating rheumatoid factor and autoantibodies to double-stranded DNA were reduced and the increase in paw volume (signs of a polyarthritis) was inhibited.