Patent ID: 7807854

Claim:
A method for treating an autoimmune disease, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a medicament comprising a diaryl sulfide or diaryl ether compound having a 2-amino-1,3-propanediol structure having an activity of reducing lymphocytes circulating peripherally, wherein the compound is represented by formula (1): wherein: R 1 represents a halogen atom, trihalomethyl group, hydroxy group, lower alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, optionally substituted phenyl group, aralkyl group, lower alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyloxy group, phenoxy group, cyclohexylmethyloxy group, optionally substituted aralkyloxy group, pyridylmethyloxy group, cinnamyloxy group, naphthylmethyloxy group, phenoxymethyl group, hydroxymethyl group, hydroxyethyl group, lower alkylthio group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, lower alkylsulfinyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, lower alkylsulfonyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzylthio group, acetyl group, nitro group or cyano group, R 2 represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, trihalomethyl group, lower alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, lower alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, phenethyl group or benzyloxy group, R 3 represents a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, trifluoromethyl group, lower alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxy group, benzyloxy group, lower alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, phenyl group, lower alkoxymethyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or lower alkylthio group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X represents O, S, SO or SO 2 , and n represents an integer of 1 to 4, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate, in combination with an additional immunosuppressive agent.