title: Leflunomide: a drug with a potential beyond rheumatology.
abstract: Leflunomide, an inhibitor of the dihydroorotase dehydrogenase and thereby pyrimidine synthesis, was introduced and licensed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in 1998. In the following years, its antiviral properties were discovered and the drug was used in solid organ transplantation for polyomavirus type BK or cytomegalovirus infection. Owing to its long half-life and weak interaction with the cytochrome system, special considerations apply in the use of this drug. This article summarizes the clinical experience with leflunomide in rheumatology and in the evolving field of transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Transplant Center Cologne, University of Cologne, 50924 Cologne, Germany. sven.teschner@uk-koeln.de
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teschner
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Burst
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001682:Biological Availability; D000075202:Contraindications; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000090722:Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011247:Pregnancy; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013724:Teratoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D014180:Transplantation
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000090722:Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase; D007555:Isoxazoles; D011743:Pyrimidines; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000077339:Leflunomide