Mycophenolate Mofetil (CellCept) in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis

Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the liver of unknown cause. Typically, immune suppressive therapy is used initially for treatment, either in the form of steroids or Azathioprime. In a small proportion of patients, steroids resistance or steroid intolerance develops. When patients are unresponsive to steroids, or develop severe significant side effects to their use, alternative treatments must be used. Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept) is a potent immune suppressive medication that is used in a wide variety of autoimmune diseases as well as post solid organ transplantation. Data is emerging to suggest that this medication may be used in selected patients with steroid resistance or steroid intolerance. This data is summarized in this review.