Effects of pulse cyclophosphamide on NZB/W disease.

Induced IgM anti-ss-DNA antibodies in NZB/W female mice did not alter the time of onset nor the course of nephritis. Monthly pulse doses of cyclophosphamide suppressed the mortality of these mice, and also prevented a switch of anti-ss-DNA from IgM to IgG class. The production of IgM anti-SRBC was markedly reduced in old NZB/W mice, but IgG anti-SRBC was only moderately reduced and this hyporesponsiveness towards SRBC could be reversed by CPA treatment. These observations are discussed in relation to cyclophosphamide as an effective therapeutic agent for the murine lupus syndrome.