title: Mycophenolate mofetil in dermatomyositis: is it safe?
abstract: The authors report 10 patients with idiopathic dermatomyositis treated with mycophenolate mofetil in combination with corticosteroids. Successful steroid taper without disease relapse was achieved in six patients; however, in three patients, treatment was associated with opportunistic infections, leading to death in one patient. The disproportionately high rate of opportunistic infections in this group is considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612-7330, USA. rowin@uic.edu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rowin
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Deisher
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cursio
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Meriggioli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D011241:Prednisone