Mycophenolate mofetil and leflunomide: promising compounds for the treatment of skin diseases.
In the past decade, there has been enormous progress in the understanding of the pathomechanisms of immune-mediated diseases, which has led to major advances in immunotherapeutic strategies. As a consequence, the armamentarium of specific and nonspecific immune-modulating and immunosuppressive drugs for the treatment of skin diseases has been widely extended. Among the nonspecific immunomodulators, mycophenolate mofetil and leflunomide show promising effects in a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory skin disorders. Both compounds inhibit a key enzyme in nucleotide biosynthesis, a step that is pivotal for the production of cytotoxic T cells and antibody formation. They do not act in the nucleus, which may explain their advantageous side-effect profile.
Frieling
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Department of Dermatology, University of Münster, Germany.
Luger
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TA
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008297:Male; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000077339:Leflunomide; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid