title: Systemic use of non-biologics in orofacial diseases: 2. Purine synthesis inhibitors.
abstract: Systemic non-biological agents (NBAs) have been extensively used for immunosuppression in clinical medicine, often with considerable efficacy, although sometimes accompanied with adverse effects as with all medicines. With the advent of biological agents, all of which currently are restricted to systemic use, there is a rising need to identify which agents have the better therapeutic ratio. The NBAs include a range of agents, most especially the corticosteroids (corticosteroids). This article reviews the purine synthesis inhibitors (azathioprine and mycophenolate), which are currently the most commonly used systemically immunosuppressive agents in the management of orofacial mucocutaneous diseases. Subsequent articles discuss other corticosteroid-sparing agents used in the management of orofacial disease, such as calcineurin inhibitors, and the cytotoxic and other immunomodulatory agents.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Medical School, NKUA, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Georgakopoulou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scully
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011687:Purines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011687:Purines; C030985:purine
keywords: azathioprine; craniofacial; medicine; mycophenolate; oral diseases