The use of mycophenolate mofetil in interstitial lung diseases associated with rheumatic diseases

Mycophenolate mofetil is an antimetabolite with a powerful inhibitory effect on the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, the drug has been used since the early 1990s to prevent acute graft rejection after organ transplantation. It is also widely used for the treatment of various rheumatic diseases with lung damage. Interstitial lung disease is a heterogeneous group of progressive fibrotic lung diseases, which is often secondary to rheumatic disease and is a common cause of death. Mycophenolate mofetil is the main alternative to cyclophosphamide as a first-line drug for the treatment of interstitial lung diseases associated with rheumatic diseases, or as a possible maintenance therapy after treatment with cyclophosphamide with a lower frequency of side effects. However, the use of mycophenolate mofetil in interstitial lung diseases associated with rheumatic diseases has insufficient scientific data. The review describes current information and achievements in the field of application, efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil.