title: Mizoribine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mizoribine (MZR), isolated from culture medium of the mold, is a novel immunosuppressant developed in Japan. It has been used in patients with renal transplantation, lupus nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review MZR in regards to mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety in the treatment of rheumatoid RA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The drug MZR inhibits both humoral and cellular immunity in RA patients. It is completely excreted in the urine within 24 h, which contributes to the safety of MZR. A series of multicenter studies indicated that MZR was effective and safe in the treatment of RA. In JIA, however, there are only a few case reports reporting its efficacy and safety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A double-blinded multicenter study is needed to establish the efficacy, safety and indication of MZR in the treatment of JIA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan. syuji@m2.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Syuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012263:Ribonucleosides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012263:Ribonucleosides; C010052:mizoribine