CARDIOVASCULAR ENGINEERING Journal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Assist Devices,Transplantation and Artificial Organs
	Volume 2, 1997, No 3

Mycophenolate Mofetil: History and Introduction into Clinical Heart Transplantation

D. J. Humiston, D. O. Taylor, A. G. Kfoury, D. G. Renlund

Abstract:
Numerous advances during the past three decades have dramatically improved patient survival and quality of life following cardiac transplantation. Despite these achievements, allograft rejection continues to present a formidable challenge in cardiac allograft recipients. A number of promising new drugs are currently under investigation with the hope of reducing the incidence of acute allograft rejection, as well as advancing the treatment of ongoing rejection episodes. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a morpholinoethyl ester prodrug of mycophenolic acid, is currently being reviewed as an immunosuppressant in cardiac transplantation. MMF is a potent inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), which selectively inhibits de novo purine biosynthesis in lymphocytes. A number of in vitro investigations, animal models, and early clinical experiences in human transplantation uniformly suggest MMF is safe and at least as effective as azathioprine for immunosuppression in a variety of allograft recipients. In this review, we will examine the history, pharmacology, and clinical experience to date with MMF in cardiac transplantation.

Keywords:
cardiac transplantation, immunosuppression, mycophenolate mofetil, purine biosynthesis, allograft rejection

Address for Correspondence:

Reference:
(CVE. 1997; 2 (3): 198-203)

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