title: Mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of severe skin manifestations of dermatomyositis: a series of 4 cases.
abstract: Four cases with classic skin manifestations and histologic evidence of dermatomyositis are presented. No occult malignancies were found. After conventional therapy with corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine and/or methotrexate proved to be limited by side effects or an inadequate clinical response, a therapeutic trial of mycophenolate mofetil was instituted. This relatively new drug, which inhibits lymphocyte proliferation, was effective [with a mean duration of treatment of 13 months (range 6-20)] at controlling cutaneous disease activity, resulting in a decrease of the steroid dose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. agelber@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gelber
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Nousari
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Wigley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D005076:Exanthema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid