Merits of Mycophenolate Mofetil for Psoriasis: Is It Effective?

Abstract

Background Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a widely used immune suppressant. It is derived from mycophenolic acid, which was once used as an anti-psoriatic agent, but was discontinued due to adverse effects. MMF has a lower incidence of adverse effects and could be a therapeutic option for psoriasis patients. Objective To review the current literature on the safety and efficacy of MMF as a treatment for psoriasis. Methods We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library using the search terms “psoriasis” and “mycophenolate mofetil” for articles evaluating the efficacy and safety of MMF in patients with psoriasis. Results Studies showed that MMF reduced disease severity and had minimal adverse effects. However, most studies had a small sample size. Conclusions There is available evidence supporting MMF as a well-tolerated, effective treatment of psoriasis. Further studies in the form of randomized control trials should be considered to confirm these limited data.