Syuji Takei1. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan. syuji@m2.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mizoribine (MZR), isolated from culture medium of the mold, is a novel immunosuppressant developed in Japan. It has been used in patients with renal transplantation, lupus nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OBJECTIVES: To review MZR in regards to mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety in the treatment of rheumatoid RA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). RESULTS: The drug MZR inhibits both humoral and cellular immunity in RA patients. It is completely excreted in the urine within 24 h, which contributes to the safety of MZR. A series of multicenter studies indicated that MZR was effective and safe in the treatment of RA. In JIA, however, there are only a few case reports reporting its efficacy and safety. CONCLUSION: A double-blinded multicenter study is needed to establish the efficacy, safety and indication of MZR in the treatment of JIA.
BACKGROUND:Mizoribine (MZR), isolated from culture medium of the mold, is a novel immunosuppressant developed in Japan. It has been used in patients with renal transplantation, lupus nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OBJECTIVES: To review MZR in regards to mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety in the treatment of rheumatoid RA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). RESULTS: The drug MZR inhibits both humoral and cellular immunity in RApatients. It is completely excreted in the urine within 24 h, which contributes to the safety of MZR. A series of multicenter studies indicated that MZR was effective and safe in the treatment of RA. In JIA, however, there are only a few case reports reporting its efficacy and safety. CONCLUSION: A double-blinded multicenter study is needed to establish the efficacy, safety and indication of MZR in the treatment of JIA.