Mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of severe skin manifestations of dermatomyositis: A series of 4 cases

Four cases with classic skin manifestations and histologic evidence of derm atomyositis are presented. No occult malignancies were found. After convent ional therapy with corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine and/or methotrexate proved to be limited by side effects or an inadequate clinical response, a therapeutic trial of mycophenolate mofetil was instituted. This relatively new drug, which inhibits lymphocyte proliferation, was effective [with a me an duration of treatment of 13 months (range 6-20)] at controlling cutaneou s disease activity, resulting in a decrease of the steroid dose.