EFFECT OF MYCOPHENOLIC-ACID ON EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS INFECTION OF HUMAN B-LYMPHOCYTES

The effect of mycophenolic acid (MPA) on the growth of Epstein-Barr vi rus (EBV)-transformed B cells and on EBV lytic-cycle gene expression w as investigated. MPA inhibited the proliferation of newly infected or established EBV-transformed B-cell lines but was not able to block cel l growth transformation or the viral lytic cycle. These results sugges t that MPA might reduce transformed-cell proliferation in transplant p atients and possibly decrease the risk of development of EBV-related l ymphoproliferative disorders.