Mycophenolate mofetil for remission maintenance in the treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for remission maintenance in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) who had been treated with daily cyclophosphamide (CYC) and glucocorticoids to induce remission.


METHODS
Fourteen patients were treated for active WG using a standardized regimen of CYC and glucocorticoids for induction of remission and MMF for remission maintenance. Outcome was assessed using predetermined definitions based on clinical characteristics and pathologic, laboratory, and radiographic findings.


RESULTS
Remission occurred in all 14 patients (100%) at a median time of 3 months. The median time to discontinuation of glucocorticoids was 8 months. No patients died during protocol treatment and 6 patients (43%) relapsed at a median of 10 months after achieving remission. MMF was well tolerated and no patients had to be withdrawn as a result of medication toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of CYC and glucocorticoids for induction of remission and MMF for remission maintenance was well tolerated, but disease relapses were observed.
Langford
Carol A
CA
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. clangford@niaid.nih.gov
Talar-Williams
Cheryl
C
Sneller
Michael C
MC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid