Mycophenolate mofetil in the therapy of severe myasthenia gravis.
Mycophenolate mofetil is a novel immunosuppressive drug already established in transplantation medicine. Recently, results of three open clinical trials on mycophenolate mofetil in myasthenia gravis have been reported. Mycophenolate mofetil in a dose of 1.0-2.0 g/day was given in 2 patients with severe refractory myasthenia gravis and in 1 patient with myasthenia gravis-polymyositis syndrome. Apart from dose-dependent reversible hemolytic anemia in 1 patient, no severe side effects occurred. Considerable improvement of myasthenic symptoms was seen in all patients within 3-6 months after the initiation of this therapy. Mycophenolate mofetil may be considered as a useful alternative in the treatment of severe myasthenia gravis when standard therapeutic regimens fail. It is usually well tolerated and its application is simple.
Schneider
C
C
Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany. chris.schneider@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
Gold
R
R
Reiners
K
K
Toyka
K V
KV
D000368:Aged; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000139:chemically induced; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid