title: Mycophenolate mofetil in pediatric renal transplantation.
abstract: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has become a popular immunosuppressive agent in pediatric renal transplantation and has helped to address the unique challenges of transplantation in this population. This paper reviews the early studies that proved MMF's efficacy in reducing the risk of acute renal rejection, as well as its safety and tolerability in comparison to azathioprine. Key conclusions about the pharmacokinetics of MMF from studies of MMF alone and in combination with other immunosuppressive therapies are outlined. The importance of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in this population is also explored in this review. Finally, recent studies showing that newer agents used in combination with MMF can further increase efficacy and reduce the risk of adverse events such as posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Mattel Children's Hospital, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1752, USA. rettenger@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ettenger
authors.forename: Minnie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sarwal
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D011241:Prednisone