PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - M Hultqvist AU - K S Nandakumar AU - U Björklund AU - R Holmdahl TI - The novel small molecule drug Rabeximod is effective in reducing disease severity of mouse models of autoimmune disorders AID - 10.1136/ard.2007.085241 DP - 2009 Jan 01 TA - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases PG - 130--135 VI - 68 IP - 1 4099 - http://ard.bmj.com/content/68/1/130.short 4100 - http://ard.bmj.com/content/68/1/130.full SO - Ann Rheum Dis2009 Jan 01; 68 AB - Objectives: Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS) affect a relatively large portion of the population, leading to severe disability if left untreated. Even though pharmaceutics targeting the immune system have revolutionised the therapy of these diseases, there is still a need for novel, more effective therapeutic substances. One such substance is the new chemical entity 9-chloro-2,3 dimethyl-6-(N,N-dimthylamino-2-oxoethyl)-6H-indolo [2,3-b] quionoxaline, Rabeximod, currently being investigated for efficiency in treatment of human RA. In this study we aimed to evaluate Rabeximod as a treatment for autoimmune diseases, using animal models.Methods: In the present investigation we have evaluated Rabeximod as a treatment for autoimmune diseases using mouse models of RA and MS, ie, collagen-induced arthritis, collagen antibody induced arthritis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.Results: Rabeximod efficiently prevented arthritis and encephalomyelitis in mice. In addition, this effect correlated to the timepoint when cells migrate into the joints.Conclusions: We conclude that Rabeximod reduces disease severity in animal models of autoimmunity and should be considered as a new therapeutic substance for MS and RA.