TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PLAQUE TYPE PSORIASIS WITH SYSTEMIC MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL

Chronic plaque-type psoriasis may be difficult to control without the use of potent systemic therapies that are accompanied by systemic toxicity. Mycophenolate mofetil is a novel agent that may be effective in the treatment of chronic plaque type psoriasis. Our purpose was to investigate of the safety and efficacy of oral mycophenolate mofetil in the treatment of chronic plaque-type psoriasis. Four patients with severe stable plaque-type psoriasis and a psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) between 7.2 and 30.4 (mean 19) were included in the study. They received oral mycophenolate mofetil 1 g twice daily for 3 months. The PASI were determined at baseline (week 0) and every two weeks thereafter. Within 4 weeks of this therapy, there was a reduction in PASI of between 52% and 68% in patients (mean PASI: 7.45). The mean PASI was 3.7 and a PASI decrease of 62.5-90% obtained after 3 month of therapy. The drug was tolerated by all the patients and severe side-effects especially hematological and liver toxicity, were not observed in any of them. Oral mycophenolate mofetil might be a safe and effective drug to treat chronic plaque type psoriasis. We think that randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify this opinion.