Paclitaxel reduces anti-dsDNA antibody titer and BUN, prolonging survival in murine lupus

We evaluated the effect of paclitaxel on the severity of autoimmunity in the murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), NZB x NZW F1 mice. Fifteen 20 week old (NZB x NZW) F1 female mice were given a dose of 10 mg/kg paclitaxel by the intraperitoneal route on three alternate days followed by 7.5 mg/kg on three additional alternate days. This pattern of treatment was repeated every 4 weeks for a period of 28 weeks. 20 control mice were injected intraperitoneally with an equal volume of the vehicle used. Serum anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody titers and the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly diminished in the paclitaxel treated group compared to the vehicle treated group. While the onset of proteinuria appeared to be delayed in the experimental group, the difference was not significant. Survival rate improved significantly in paclitaxel treated group (p = 0.04 by log-rank test). These results suggest that paclitaxel is beneficial in the suppression of autoimmunity in this strain of mice by reducing the anti-dsDNA antibody titer and the BUN, prolonging survival.