title: Mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of refractory auto-immune haemolytic anaemia and auto-immune thrombocytopenia purpura.
abstract: The treatment of both auto-immune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and auto-immune thromobocytopenic purpura (AITP) remains unsatisfactory in those refractory to first-line management. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive agent originally used to prevent acute rejection of solid organ transplants and used more recently in the management of auto-immune conditions. We report its use in four patients with AIHA and six patients with AITP. All four patients with AIHA and five of the six patients with AITP showed a complete or good partial response to treatment with MMF, confirming a possible role in the treatment of these conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Royal Free Hospital and University College Medical School, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK. jo_howard@lineone.net
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: A Victor
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Hoffbrand
authors.forename: H Grant
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Prentice
authors.forename: Atul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid