Analysis of auranofin as a rheumatoid remitting agent.

To assess the therapeutic potential of Auranofin (AF), we examined the results of 7 early short term clinical trials involving 104 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients; radiographic analyses were performed on 16 of these patients followed for 4 years. This agent suppressed RA in 2/3-3/4 of patients followed for periods up to 1 year; thereafter emergence of RA activity occurred despite maintenance medication. Serious toxicity was nonexistent. Radiographic analyses indicated a minority of patients may have arrested disease demonstrated by lack of erosion progression. Thus, AF has a similar therapeutic profile to conventional chrysotherapy but the drug is more useful because of absence of serious toxicities.