Youwen Zhou1, Don Rosenthal, Jan Dutz, Vincent Ho. 1. Division of Dermatology, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ywzhou@interchange.ubc.ca
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.
RCT Entities:
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: Melanie S Joy; Tandrea Hilliard; Yichun Hu; Susan L Hogan; Jinzhao Wang; Ronald J Falk; Philip C Smith Journal: Ann Pharmacother Date: 2009-06-02 Impact factor: 3.154
Authors: Bruce E Strober; Jennifer Clay Cather; David Cohen; Jeffrey J Crowley; Kenneth B Gordon; Alice B Gottlieb; Arthur F Kavanaugh; Neil J Korman; Gerald G Krueger; Craig L Leonardi; Sergio Schwartzman; Jeffrey M Sobell; Gary E Solomon; Melodie Young Journal: Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) Date: 2012-03-30
Authors: Bruce E Strober; Jennifer Clay Cather; David Cohen; Jeffrey J Crowley; Kenneth B Gordon; Alice B Gottlieb; Arthur F Kavanaugh; Neil J Korman; Gerald G Krueger; Craig L Leonardi; Sergio Schwartzman; Jeffrey M Sobell; Gary E Solomon; Melodie Young Journal: Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) Date: 2012-03-17