Hormonal manipulation of the immune response in systemic lupus erythematosus: a drug trial of an anabolic steroid, 19-nortestosterone.

Ten patients (8 female, 2 male) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were entered into an open trial with the anabolic steroid 19-nortestosterone (19-nor). Their clinical condition did not improve, nor were significant changes observed in the majority of laboratory data. However, overall the platelet count rose, and in patients with abnormal levels of T lymphocytes bearing receptors for IgG Fc treatment returned the values to normal. Despite this latter result, suppressor cell activity remained slightly below the normal range throughout the study period.