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系统性红斑狼疮、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的替代传统类
固醇或
免疫抑制剂的治疗或预防剂。该剂包括一种
视黄酸受体激动剂,特别是
视黄酸受体亚型α(RARα)激动剂,例如:(1)具有以下结构的环状
羧酸化合物:(其中环L和M为缩合环,与彼此相同或不同,并表示可能具有取代基的芳香族碳氢化合物或可能具有取代基的杂环;环A和B彼此独立,表示可能具有取代基的芳香族碳氢环或杂环;D表示可能具有保护基的羧基),(2)4-【(3,5-双三甲基
硅基苯基)甲酰基】
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-2-基)
吡咯基)】
苯甲酸等。