title: Efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil for lichen planopilaris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes permanent scalp hair loss and significant patient discomfort.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for treatment of LPP in patients who had failed prior topical, intralesional, or oral anti-inflammatory medications such as hydroxychloroquine or cyclosporine.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective chart review of 16 adult patients with LPP treated with at least 6 months of MMF in an open-label, single-center study from 2003 to 2007. Subjective and objective end points were quantified using the LPP Activity Index (LPPAI) and scores before and after treatment were assessed using a paired t test. Adverse events were monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who completed treatment with MMF had significantly decreased signs and symptoms of active LPP despite having failed multiple prior therapies (P < .005). Five of 12 patients were complete responders (LPPAI score decreased>85%), 5 of 12 patients were partial responders (LPPAI score decreased 25%-85%), and two of 12 patients were treatment failures (LPPAI score decreased<25%). Four patients withdrew from the trial because of adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retrospective analysis and small sample size were limitations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMF was effective at reducing the signs and symptoms of active LPP in 83% of patients (10 of 12) who had failed multiple prior treatments after at least 6 months of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Mountain View, California, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sah
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chwalek
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Roseborough
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ochoa
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Vera H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid