Mycophenolate mofetil in lupus glomerulonephritis: effectiveness and tolerability.
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive agent initially used in the treatment of transplant recipients. MMF has been used in renal, heart, and liver transplantation, where it seems more effective than other immunosuppressive regimens in reducing the incidence of acute rejection episodes. MMF has a variety of immunosuppressive effects, including selective suppression of T and B lymphocyte proliferation, and has been more recently used in many autoimmune inflammatory conditions. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can potentially involve any organ or system of the human body. Glomerulonephritis (GLN) has been recognized as the most frequent severe manifestation of SLE, leading to poor long-term prognosis. In the treatment of lupus GLN, several therapeutic approaches, all including immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, or cyclosporine A, have been used. The short- and long-term toxicity of these drugs limits their use in a substantial number of patients. Over the last few years, MMF has emerged as an alternative therapeutic regimen in lupus GLN, mainly for patients refractory to other therapies. These studies have shown that it is highly effective and generally well tolerated.
Iaccarino
Luca
L
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy.
Arienti
Silvia
S
Rampudda
Mariaelisa
M
Canova
Mariagrazia
M
Atzeni
Fabiola
F
Sarzi Puttini
Piercarlo
P
Doria
Andrea
A
D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D009173:Mycophenolic Acid