Mycophenolate mofetil: a dermatologic perspective.

Abstract

Introduced in the 1970s as a treatment for psoriasis, mycophenolic acid has since been reformulated as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). With an improved side-effect profile and enhanced bioavailability, MMF is a promising drug for immune-mediated skin disease. Currently approved for the prevention of organ rejection, its list of "off-label" dermatologic indications continues to grow. As a noncompetitive inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), MMF inhibits de novo purine synthesis. Its relative lack of hepatonephrotoxicity and seemingly low risk of carcinogenicity offer important therapeutic advantages. While case reports and case series dominate the dermatologic literature, preliminary results are sufficiently promising to warrant larger, randomized clinical trials with this emerging therapy.