Clinical Trials of Immunoadsorbent in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Therapy

Abstract
Five patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were perfused through an extracorporeal shunt filled with DNA‐immunoadsorbent (DNA immobilized on carbonized resin beads). High concentrations of anti‐DNA antibodies (36.4–67.0%) (binding percentage with 125I‐DNA) in the serum of SLE patients were reduced to 13.8–53.0%, respectively. The highest removal percentage was 62.1%. Although the decline levels varied, the symptoms of patients, i.e., long‐term severe joint pain, severe edema, hydropericardium, and ascites were all relieved considerably. The immunoadsorbent showed satisfactory blood compatibility.