MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL ADDED TO IMMUNOSUPPRESSION AFTER LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION - FIRST RESULTS

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been used successfully as an immunosup pressive agent after kidney and heart transplantation, but experience with MMF after liver transplantation is still limited. Between August 1995 and January 1996, we treated 20 patients with MMF after orthotopi c liver transplantation in an open, prospective study. Five out of eig ht patients with acute rejection and one patient with early chronic re jection showed a complete response after MMF was added to the immunosu ppression. Three patients with chronic rejection did not improve, one died, and two have stable graft function at present. Tn eight patients who suffered from toxicity, a reduction in the dosage of tacrolimus w as attempted with simultaneous MMF therapy. One patient died due to mu ltiple organ failure. Liver function improved completely in one other patient, and partially in three patients after adding MMF. In the rema ining three patients, a reduced dosage of tacrolimus or cyclosporin, t ogether with MMF, reduced toxicity, not significantly. In conclusion, MMF appears to be a safe and potentially useful adjuvant immune suppre ssive agent for rescue and maintenance therapy.