Adjuvant Therapy of Bullous Pemphigoid with Mycophenolate Mofetil: Old Drug, New Use

KV Ratnam
Correspondence: Dr K V Ratnam, r1010@singnet.com.sg

ABSTRACT
Bullous Pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease appearing predominantly in the elderly. The disease is primarily treated with systemic corticosteroids. However, the treatment can be associated with significant morbidity. Adjuvant corticosteroid sparing therapy can also be associated with significant morbidity. In this study a case of BP which was difficult to control with systemic steroids was successfully treated with mycophenolate mofetil as adjuvant therapy. Mycophenolate mofetil used previously in transplantation, has recently been shown to be useful in autoimmune blistering disorders. Further study to confirm this significant finding and to determine if the long term prognosis of BP can be altered by the drug, is required.

Keywords: Bullous Pemphigoid, mycophenolate mofetil
Singapore Med J 2001; 42(10): 482-484