JPC-80, a new slow acting antirheumatoid drug.

JPC-80 has been administered to man for the first time. Twelve patients received doses up to 300 mg daily for up to 12 weeks. Three suffered significant, but not serious, side effects: 1 skin rash, 1 elevation of liver enzymes, 1 diarrhea. All signs or symptoms returned to normal on discontinuation of drug. Four of 8 patients receiving cumulative doses of over 20 g showed moderate or major improvement. In patients with clinical improvements the mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate fell from 51 to 21, and rheumatoid factor titers fell from 1444 to 647. This pilot study justifies additional controlled studies.