Long-term cyclophosphamide treatment in rheumatoid patients: effects on serum sulphydryl levels, technetium index, ESR and clinical response.

1 After 12 months cyclophosphamide administration the serum sulphydryl concentrations increased in all of twelve rheumatoid patients treated, and returned towards the normal range in eleven. 2 A decrease was observed in the technetium index, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and joint count. 3 Long-term cyclophosphamide-induced serum SH increase may represent a specific change in the process of the rheumatoid disease activity, possibly involving the pathogenic B cells.