Abstract
THERE is some doubt1 about the relevance of abnormal copper metabolism to the pathogenesis of hepato-lenticular degeneration (Wilson's disease), but the most important aspect of therapy at present is the mobilization and excretion of tissue copper and the reduction of absorption of copper from the gastro-intestinal tract. The majority viewpoint was well expressed by Scheinberg when he wrote “… it is difficult to believe, from the evidence already at hand, that chronic copper toxicity is not the basis of this disease”2. At the present time, the cupruretic drug of choice is penicillamine (ββ-dimethylcysteine) first introduced in 1956 (ref. 3).
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Seven, M. J., and Johnson, L. A., Metal Binding in Medicine, 296 (J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, 1960).
Scheinberg, I. H., and Sternlieb, I., Gastroenterology, 37, 550 (1959).
Walshe, J. M., Amer. J. Med., 21, 487 (1956).
Franglen, G. T., in Wilson's Disease; Some Current Concepts, (edit. by Walshe, J. M., and Cumings, J. N.), 248 (Blackwell, London, 1961).
Goldstein, N. P., Randall, R. V., Gross, J. B., and McGuckin, W. F., Arch. Neurol., 12, 456 (1965).
Bush, J. A., Mahoney, J. P., Markowitz, H., Gubler, C. J., Cartwright, G. E., and Wintrobe, M. M., J. clin. Invest., 34, 1766 (1955).
Durham, E. J., and Ryskiewich, D. P., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 80, 4812 (1958).
Stevens, E., Rosoff, B., Felstein, A., Weiner, M., and Spencer, H., Fed. Proc., 20, 543 (1961).
Stevens, E., Rosoff, B., Weiner, M., and Spencer, H., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. and Med., 111, 235 (1962).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
O'REILLY, S., BANK, W. New Oral Chelating Agent for Treatment of Wilson's Disease. Nature 212, 1597–1598 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/2121597a0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2121597a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
