Edgren J, Klockars M, Weber T, Wangel A, Linström B, Stenstrand K, Pettersson T, Riska H, Kajander A, Wegelius O. Extracorporeal irradiation of thoracic duct lymph as immunosuppressive treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.
Scand J Rheumatol 1976;
5:108-12. [PMID:
1084574 DOI:
10.3109/03009747609099900]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Thoracic duct drainage and re-infusion of the irradiated lymph was carried out as immunosuppressive treatment in 2 patients with progressive, therapy-resistant rheumatoid arthritis. In both patients, a marked clinical improvement was achieved even during the first days of treatment. A reduced number of T cells in the blood was seen 3 days after onset of drainage, whereas no significant change in the number of B cells was observed. No recirculation of the infused cells could be detected, nor was the radiation removal of T cells accompanied by rapid proliferation of "new" T cells. As clinical improvement and reduction in T cells occurred simultaneously, there is probably a connection between these two events. The beneficial clinical response and the achievement of T cell suppression by thoracic duct drainage--the result of irradiation and re-infusion of irradiated lymph--encourage further clinical trials with this type of treatment in severe therapy-resistant rheumatoid arthritis.
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