Abstract: A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for systemic lupus erythematosus comprising an anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antibody as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The effect of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies in suppressing cytotoxic T cell induction was examined. The results showed that CTL activity against alloantigens was statistically significantly reduced in mice treated with anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies as compared to mice not treated with antibodies and mice treated with a control antibody. The anti-IL-6 receptor antibody was also administered to recipients of a mouse model for allogenic heart transplantation. As a result, histopathological findings showed that inflammatory cell infiltration into transplanted hearts was suppressed and the survival period of transplanted hearts was significantly prolonged. Thus, the present inventors for the first time discovered that administration of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies could suppress cytotoxic T cell induction and thereby suppress acute rejection after transplantation.

Abstract: There is provided a synovial cell growth inhibitor, or a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of chronic rheumatoid arthritis based on the synovial cell growth inhibitor. The pharmaceutical composition for treatment of chronic rheumatoid arthritis or synovial cell growth inhibitor contains an IL-6 antagonist, such as IL-6 antibody or IL-6R antibody, as an effective component.

Abstract: The effect of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies in suppressing cytotoxic T cell induction was examined. The results showed that CTL activity against alloantigens was statistically significantly reduced in mice treated with anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies as compared to mice not treated with antibodies and mice treated with a control antibody. The anti-IL-6 receptor antibody was also administered to recipients of a mouse model for allogenic heart transplantation. As a result, histopathological findings showed that inflammatory cell infiltration into transplanted hearts was suppressed and the survival period of transplanted hearts was significantly prolonged. Thus, the present inventors for the first time discovered that administration of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies could suppress cytotoxic T cell induction and thereby suppress acute rejection after transplantation.

Abstract: A cancer vaccine comprising a cancer antigen which comprises, as an active ingredient, the product of a tumor suppressor gene WT1, a partial peptide or a modified version thereof, and a cationic liposome.

Abstract: A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for systemic lupus erythematosus comprising an anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antibody as an active ingredient.

Abstract: A cancer vaccine comprising a cancer antigen which comprises, as an active ingredient, the product of a tumor suppressor gene WT1, a partial peptide or a modified version thereof, and a cationic liposome.

Abstract: A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for systemic lupus erythematosus comprising an anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antibody as an active ingredient.

Abstract: An antisense oligonucleotide derivative against HCV is provided which contains one or more nucleotide analogue units having a modified sugar portion and represented by the following general formula where B denotes a pyrimidine or purine nucleic acid base or an analogue thereof. The derivative of the present invention is an antisense against hepatitis C virus (HCV) gene, binds to HCV-RNA with high affinity within cells, can control and inhibit the expression of its gene with high efficiency, and shows high resistance to nucleases. The BNA antisense oligonucleotide of the present invention is also effective in an antisense method targeting HCV, no matter what secondary structures, such as loops or stems, in a target RNA nucleic acid are.

Abstract: A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for systemic lupus erythematosus comprising an anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antibody as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting synovial cell growth and treating chronic rheumatoid arthritis are provided. The methods comprise administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an interleukin-6 antagonist, such as an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, and a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group which may be substituted with hydroxy, lower alkyl or di-lower alkylamino; R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, an amino group or a lower alkylamino group; and R.sub.3 is a lower alkyl group, and a non-toxic salt thereof, and a process for preparing the same are disclosed.The compound and the salts thereof exhibit anti-allergic effects by the two different mechanisms and are expected to be useful as drugs for treating allergic diseases such as asthma, pollen allergy, atopic dermatitis and the like.

Abstract: A terephthalic acid monoamide derivative of the formula: ##STR1## (wherein R is a straight- or branched-chain lower alkyl group; R' and R" may be the same or different, and represent a hydrogen atom, or a straight- or branched-chain lower alkyl group) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. A process for preparing such terephthalic acid monoamide derivative or its salts, as well as an anti-allergic agent containing such derivative or its salts as an effective ingredient are also disclosed.

Abstract: An aminobenzoic acid derivative represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are defined hereinbelow, which has excellent activity for improving liver function and for potentiating and normalizing immunity; a process for preparing the same; and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same are disclosed.