The present invention provides a therapeutic or prophylactic agent as a substitute for conventional steroids or immunosuppressive agents to treat or prevent systemic erythematosus, glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or autoimmune anemia. The agent comprises a retinoic acid receptor agonist, specifically a retinoic acid receptor subtype &agr; (RAR&agr;) agonist, including for example:
(1) carboxylic acid compounds having condensed rings represented by the following formula:
(wherein the rings L and M are condensed, are the same as or different from each other, and represent an aromatic hydrocarbon which may have a substituent group or a heterocycle which may have a substituent group; the rings A and B are independent of each other and represent an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or heterocycle which may have a substituent group; and D represents a carboxyl group which may have a protective group),
(2) 4-{[(3,5-bistrimethylsilylphenyl)carbonyl]amino}benzoic acid, 4-{2-[5-(3-methoxymethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethylnaphthalene-2-yl)pyrrolyl]}benzoic acid, etc.
本发明提供了一种治疗或预防剂,作为传统类
固醇或
免疫抑制剂的替代品,用于治疗或预防全身性红斑狼疮、肾小球肾炎、狼疮性肾炎、特发性血小板减少性紫癜或自身免疫性贫血。该剂包括一种
视黄酸受体激动剂,具体为
视黄酸受体亚型α(RARα)激动剂,例如:(1)具有以下结构式所代表的缩环的
羧酸化合物:(其中环L和M是缩合的,相同或不同,代表可能具有取代基的
芳香烃或可能具有取代基的杂环;环A和B相互独立,代表可能具有取代基的
芳香烃环或杂环;D代表可能具有保护基的羧基),(2)4-【(3,5-双三甲基
硅基苯基)羰基】
氨基
苯甲酸,4-【2-【5-(3-甲氧甲基-5,6,7,8-四氢-5,5,8,8-
四甲基萘基)-
吡咯基】
苯甲酸等。