Use of mycophenolate mofetil in patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Japan

Int J Hematol. 2011 Apr;93(4):523-531. doi: 10.1007/s12185-011-0817-8. Epub 2011 Apr 5.

Abstract

We evaluated the use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in Japan from 1999 to 2008. MMF was administered to 301 patients, including 157 for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), 94 for the treatment of acute GVHD and 50 for the treatment of chronic GVHD. The three most common doses were 500 mg twice daily, 250 mg three times daily and 1,000 mg twice daily, given to 63, 54 and 45 patients, respectively. The incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 30.0% and grade III-IV was 20.0% in the GVHD prevention group. Among treated patients, disappearance or improvement of subjective symptoms occurred in 57.0% of acute GVHD patients and in 52.0% of chronic GVHD patients. With regard to safety, the following major adverse events (grade 3 or more) were recorded: 31 infections, 31 neutropenia, 28 thrombocytopenia, 25 diarrhea and 1 renal disorder. A total of 116 patients developed grade 3 or 4 adverse events, but 79 were successfully treated with supportive treatment. Thus, our findings suggest that MMF is safe and effective for the prevention and treatment of GVHD in patients who have received an allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / pathology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycophenolic Acid / adverse effects
  • Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Mycophenolic Acid