Mycophenolate Sodium Is Effective for Subacute Cutaneous LE

This agent can be a useful alternative for patients unresponsive to antimalarials.

Approximately 5% to 25% of patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) fail to respond to the standard therapies of topical corticosteroids and oral antimalarials. For antimalarial-resistant patients, many alternative therapies have been suggested, including azathioprine, methotrexate, thalidomide, and some of the newer biologic agents.

Investigators conducted an open, prospective, nonrandomized pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of mycophenolate sodium monotherapy in 10 patients with subacute cutaneous (SC) LE resistant to at least one of the standard therapies. The patients had been treated previously with antimalarials (10 patients), azathioprine (3 patients), and systemic corticosteroids (7 patients). All received 1440 mg/day of o…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)