Effects of pentostatin (2'deoxycoformycin), an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, on type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

Pentostatin (2'-deoxycoformycin), a potent inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, was administered therapeutically to rats with type II collagen-induced arthritis and the effects on hindpaw swelling, serum haptoglobin concentration, and anticollagen antibody titer determined. Daily intraperitoneal administration of pentostatin at 10.0 or 1.0 mg/kg/day for three weeks produced significant enhancement of hind-paw swelling and elevation of serum haptoglobin. Continuous subcutaneous infusion of pentostatin at 1.0 or 0.1 mg/kg/day had the same effects. None of the dosing regimens had any effect on anticollagen antibody titer.