Mycophenolate mofetil: a new immunosuppressive agent in dermatology and its potential indications

Mycophenolate mofetil represents a new immunosuppressive drug. Several case reports have shown that mycophenolate mofelil has a good therapeutic effec t in patients with psoriasis and autoimmune dermatoses. Mycophenolate mofet il is a morpholine ester of mycophenolic acid which was shown in the 1970s to be effective in patients with severe psoriasis. Mycophenolate mofetil ha s an increased bioavailability as compared to mycophenolic acid and thereby an improved therapeutic window. Currently, mycophenolate mofetil is indiat ed for the prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients. The mode o f action and the pharmacology of mycophenolate mofetil are reviewed and the current clinical experience with this immunosuppressive drug for dermatolo gical disorders is summarized.