Efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil in patients with chronic immune demyelinating polyneuropathy.
The authors retrospectively reviewed the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF; mean dose, 2 g/day given for an average of 14 months) in 21 patients with immune demyelinating polyneuropathy. There were no significant differences in the median strength, sensory, or Rankin scores before and after treatment. In patients with immunoglobulin (Ig) M neuropathy, the M-protein decreased by 22%. Three patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (30%) and one patient with IgM neuropathy (13%) improved. The authors found that MMF induced a modest benefit in ~20% of their patients and stabilized patient condition, allowing reduction of steroid or IVIg therapy.
Division of Neurology, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02135, USA. kengorson@comcast.net
Kenneth C
KC
Gorson
Anthony A
AA
Amato
Allan H
AH
Ropper
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid