Mycophenolate mofetil in paediatric autoimmune or immune-mediated diseases of the central nervous system: clinical experience and recommendations.

AIM: To gather data on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in paediatric autoimmune/immune-mediated central nervous system (CNS) conditions, focusing on safety and factors that may affect MMF efficacy.

METHOD: Retrospective, multicentre study based on four paediatric neurology centres.

RESULTS: Forty-four children were included (30 females, 14 males): 19 had proven/suspected autoimmune encephalitis, 14 had inflammatory demyelinating CNS diseases, and 11 had other autoimmune/immune-mediated CNS conditions. Before MMF, all received first-line immune therapies, and 17 had second-line rituximab and/or cyclophosphamide. MMF was started at a median of 9.5 months from disease onset (range 1-127mo) (median age 9y 4mo, range 1y 5mo-16y 5mo), and was used for median 18 months (range 0.3-73mo). On MMF, 31 patients were relapse-free, whereas eight relapsed (excluding patients with chronic-progressive course). Relapses on MMF were associated with medication weaning/cessation, or with suboptimal MMF dosage/duration. Adverse events of MMF occurred in eight patients: six moderate (gastrointestinal, movement disorder, dermatological) and two severe (infectious).

INTERPRETATION: MMF use in paediatric neuroimmunology is heterogeneous, although relatively safe. We have identified factors that may affect MMF efficacy and provide recommendations on MMF usage.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) use was heterogeneous with relatively common adverse events, although mostly not severe. MMF treatment reduced median annualized relapse rate, although 20% of patients relapsed on MMF. A high relapse rate pre-MMF and late MMF start were associated with higher probability of relapsing on MMF. Most relapses were associated with suboptimal MMF dosage, short MMF duration, or concurrent medication weaning/discontinuation.