Mycophenolate Mofetil Is Effective as a Steroid-Sparing Agent for Pyoderma Gangrenosum

When and for whom should this steroid-sparing agent be considered?

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is relatively uncommon, and its successful treatment is often challenging. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has sometimes been described as useful in reports of individual patients and small case series.

These authors retrospectively reviewed 26 PG patients who were treated with MMF for at least 1 month over an 11-year period. PG was identified by classic appearance and by exclusion of other similar conditions. Nine patients had associated disease, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, myelodysplasia, and chronic small vessel vasculitis. Three patients had solid malignancies, including a melanoma diagnosed and excised at the time of PG diagnosis. The other two cancers and the two he…

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)