PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

--Disease Characteristics--

Systemic lupus erythematosus by 1982 American College of Rheumatology criteria Diagnosed for at least 6 months

Systemic Lupus Activity Measure score at least 7 Points for erythrocyte sedimentation rate excluded

SLEDAI score of greater than 2 at both screening and qualifying visits

--Prior/Concurrent Therapy--

No prior participation in any dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) study

No investigational agent within the longer of 30 days or 10 half-lives of the agent

Prednisone (or equivalent) dose 0 to 10 mg/day Unchanged for at least 6 weeks prior to entry

At least 3 months since immunosuppressants other than azathioprine and methotrexate, including:

• DHEA
• Adrenocorticotropin hormone
• Androgens
• Cyclophosphamide
• Cyclosporine
• Immune globulin

At least 6 weeks since change in azathioprine, methotrexate, or hydroxychloroquine

--Patient Characteristics-- Renal: No requirement for hemodialysis

Cardiovascular: No serious abnormality on electrocardiogram

Other:

• No hypersensitivity to DHEA or inactive ingredients in GL701 formulation, i.e., cornstarch, lactose, or magnesium stearate
• No history of breast cancer or reproductive tract malignancy
• Cervical carcinoma eligible if surgically cured, i.e., no evidence of disease for 5 years
• No condition that would prevent compliance or follow-up, e.g.: Alcoholism Drug addiction Acute withdrawal from chemical dependency
• Psychiatric disease
• No pregnant or nursing women
• Negative pregnancy test required of fertile women
• Reliable contraception required of fertile women
• No estrogen-containing oral contraceptives on study
• At least 3 weeks since estrogen-containing oral contraceptives