Mycophenolate mofetil in dermatomyositis: Is it safe?

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a potent immunosuppressive agent that inhibits proliferation of T and B lymphocytes. (1) MMF in the treatment of autoimmune disorders including the skin manifestations of dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis, and myasthenia gravis(1-5) has been favorable, especially with regard to its safety profile. The mechanism of action of MMF suggests that it should be effective in DM, which has a humoral immune effector mechanism modulated mainly by CD4(+) dendritic cells. (6) However, there is little reported experience concerning the use of MMF in the treatment of the muscle manifestations of DM. (2,4) We report 10 cases of idiopathic DM with prominent muscle manifestations in which MMF was used in combination with corticosteroids.