Abstract
D-penicillamine (D-pen) has gained wide-spread use as a potent suppressor of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). The drug has been established for antirheumatoid therapy on the basis of a considerable number of comparative clinical studies of D-pen treatment versus placebo or other disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Despite the positive outcome of these trials, no comprehensive understanding of its mode of action has emerged. Development of more differentiated drug strategies, construction of combination treatment protocols and generation of agents with defined target specificities may imply a more favourable beneft to risk ratio in the management of RA.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abraham EP, Chain E, Baker W, Robinson R. Penicillamine, a characteristic degradation product of penicilln.Nature 1943;151: 107
Jaffe IA. Intra-articular dissociation of the rheumatoid factor.J Lab Clin Med 1962;60: 409–421
Munthe E, Jellum E, Aaseth J. Some aspects of the mechanism of action of penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis.Scand J Rheumatol 1979;28 (Suppl): 6–12
Binderup L. Effects of the antirheumatic agent D-penicillamine on humoral and cell-mediated immunological reactions with special reference to chronic inflammatory disease.Thesis. Copenhagen, Arhus, Odense: FADL’s forlag 1981; 1–96
Junker P. D-penicillamine effects on inflammatory and normal connective tissues in rats. Studies on collagen, glycosaminoglycans and nucleic acids with particular reference to antirheumatoid therapy.Dan Med Bull 1985;32: 87–104
Decker JL. Rheumatoid arthritis: Evolving concepts of pathogenesis and treatment.Ann Int Med 1984;101: 810–824
Multicentre Trial Group. Controlled trial of D-penicillamine in severe rheumatoid arthritis.Lancet 1973;i: 275–280
Halberg P. Controlled, double-blind, comparative studies of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Dan Med Bull 1984;31: 391–482
Schairer H, Stoeber. Long term follow-up of 235 cases of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis treated with D-penicillamine. In: Munthe E ed. Penicillamine research in rheumatoid disease. Oslo: Fabritius and sons 1976: 279–281
Ansell BM, Hall MA. Penicillamine in chronic arthritis of childhood.J Rheumatol 1981;7 (Suppl): 112–115
Prieur AM, Piussan C, Manigne P, Bordigoni, P, Griscelli C. Evaluation of D-penicillamine in juvenile chronic arthritis.Arthritis and Rheumatism 1985;28: 376–382
Kvien TK, Hyeraal HM, Sandstad B. Slow acting antirheumatic drugs in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis—Evaluation in a randomized, parallel 50-week clinical trial.J Rheumatol 1985;12: 533–539
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Junker, P. D-penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. Indian J Pediatr 53, 625–628 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02748666
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02748666