Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy responsive to mycophenolate mofetil therapy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Background: Evidence is growing that MMF is effective as an immunomodulatory drug in neuromuscular diseases.

Methods: A database of 184 patients with CIDP was analysed to obtain clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological information for patients with CIDP treated with MMF.

Results: Eight patients, who met the inclusion criteria, received MMF (mean dose 2 g/day; median duration 15.2 months). The average Neuropathy Impairment Score of the eight patients improved from baseline (72.3+/-35) after initiation of MMF therapy (37.8+/-37; p<0.001). Six of these eight patients were either able to stop concomitant medications (corticosteroid, intravenous immunoglobulin) or reduce their doses and frequency by > or = 50%.

Conclusions: Our pilot data suggest that MMF appears to be an effective therapy for patients with naive or refractory CIDP, and further controlled studies are warranted for their confirmation.