Study of antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). III. Preliminary findings concerning the influence of immunosuppressive drugs.

The present studies were undertaken to characterize cytotoxic activity of lymphocyte-(ADCC) in the course of primary glomerulonephritis and to evaluate the influence of some of the immunosuppressive drugs on lymphocytes of examined patients. 18 patients were studied; 12 of them were treated by combined therapy with prednisone, azathioprine and chlorambucil. Results were analyzed on the basis of healthy individuals ADCC activity. In the 11 treated patients significant decrease of ADCC activity was observed while non-treated group exhibited as high activity as healthy individuals. Which of given drugs is responsible for the decreased ADCC activity, remains questionable and is currently under the study.