MMF reduces chronic damage progression in SLE

The immunosuppressive mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is safe and effective in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) manifestations other than lupus nephritis, according to a study.

In this longitudinal study, data from 162 patients with SLE prescribed MMF for LN (62.3%), musculoskeletal manifestations (24.1%), neuropsychiatric lupus (6.2%), and other manifestations (7.4%) were analyzed.

There was a median treatment duration of 30 months. In patients with LN, the 5-year drug retention rate was 61.1%, which the authors noted was similar to the rate seen in patients without renal involvement (60.5%).

Treatment with MMF was discontinued in 59.2% over the course of the observation period, with remission as the main cause of withdrawal (21.7%).

Reference
Olivieri G, Ceccarelli F, Natalucci F, et al. Five-years drug survival of mycophenolate mofetil therapy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: comparison between renal and non-renal involvement. Joint Bone Spine. 2021;105246. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2021.105246. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34171464.