Mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of uveitis in children
- 1 February 2007
- journal article
- Published by BMJ in British Journal of Ophthalmology
- Vol. 91 (2), 180-184
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.2006.094698
Abstract
Background: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a new immunosuppressive agent that effectively controls the intraocular inflammation in adults. Purpose: To assess the efficacy of MMF in uveitis in children and to analyse the possible side effects. Participants and methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 17 children (32 eyes) with intraocular inflammation treated with MMF and followed up at the University Eye Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany, between 2000 and 2005. All children had chronic non-infectious uveitis and received MMF for at least 6 months. All patients were given steroids or other immunosuppressive agents before initiating treatment with MMF. Results: 17 children (10 boys and 7 girls) with a mean age of 8 (range 2–13) years at the onset of uveitis were examined. The average duration of follow-up after initiation of MMF was 3 (range 2–5) years. A steroid-sparing effect was achieved in 88% of the patients. The oral prednisolone was successfully discontinued in 41% children and reduced to a daily dose of ⩽5 mg in 47% of the children. 24% of the patients remained relapse-free during the treatment, but a reduction in the relapse rate was observed in all other patients except one. Visual acuity was increased or maintained in 13 children (76%). Mild side effects (headache, rash, gastrointestinal discomfort) occurred in 7 patients (41%) and were the cause of discontinuation of MMF in 1 patient. Conclusion: The results of our study are encouraging and suggest that MMF is an effective agent also in the treatment for uveitis in children, with marked steroid-sparing potential and an acceptable side effect profile.Keywords
This publication has 39 references indexed in Scilit:
- Age-dependency of mycophenolate mofetil dosing in combination with tacrolimus after pediatric renal transplantationTransplantation Proceedings, 2004
- Mycophenolate mofetil in pediatric liver transplant patients with renal dysfunction: Preliminary dataPediatric Transplantation, 2003
- Rescue therapy with mycophenolate mofetil in refractory uveitisThe Lancet, 1998
- Mycophenolate mofetilThe Lancet, 1996
- A blinded, randomized clinical trial of mycophenolate mofetil for the prevention of acute rejection in cadaveric renal transplantation. The Tricontinental Mycophenolate Mofetil Renal Transplantation Study Group.1996
- MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL FOR THE PREVENTION OF ACUTE REJECTION IN PRIMARY CADAVERIC RENAL ALLOGRAFT RECIPIENTSTransplantation, 1995
- Placebo-controlled study of mycophenolate mofetil combined with cyclosporin and corticosteroids for prevention of acute rejection. European Mycophenolate Mofetil Cooperative Study Group.1995
- Immunosuppressive and other Effects of Mycophenolic Acid and an Ester Prodrug, Mycophenolate MofetilImmunological Reviews, 1993
- Mycophenolic acid and brequinar, inhibitors of purine and pyrimidine synthesis, block the glycosylation of adhesion molecules.1993
- Standardizatlon of Vitreal inflammatory Activity in Intermediate and Posterior UveitisOphthalmology, 1985