| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immune suppressant that selectively inhibits activated lymphocytes. Its usefulness in treating psoriasis has not been systematically investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy and safety of MMF as a monotherapy for psoriasis. METHODS: This is a two-center, prospective, open-label clinical trial. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with moderate to severe psoriasis [mean psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) of 21.7] were treated with MMF 2-3 g/day for 12 weeks. Eighteen patients completed the study. The PASI was reduced by 24% (p < 0.001) at 6 weeks, and by 47% (p < 0.001) at 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment phase, 77% of the patients had significant reduction of PASI while 22% did not respond. The treatment was well tolerated. Five patients experienced mild nausea. One patient each had periorbital edema and pruritus. One patient had transient leukopenia. CONCLUSION: In this noncontrolled trial, the majority of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis responded to mycophenolate mofetil monotherapy with few adverse events. A randomized, controlled trial should be considered to confirm the usefulness of MMF as a monotherapy for psoriasis. |
| Authors | Youwen Zhou, Don Rosenthal, Jan Dutz, Vincent Ho
(Affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ywzhou at interchange.ubc.ca)
|
| Journal | Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery
(J Cutan Med Surg)
2003 May-Jun
Vol. 7
Issue 3
Pg. 193-7
ISSN: 1203-4754 United States |
| PMID | 12704533
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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| Chemical References |
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- mycophenolate mofetil
- Mycophenolic Acid
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Female
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Mycophenolic Acid
(analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Prospective Studies
- Psoriasis
(drug therapy)
- Treatment Outcome
|
