Two‐year experience with mycophenolate mofetil in patients with scleroderma lung disease: a case series

To assess the effect of mycophenolate mofetil ( MMF ) on pulmonary functions in patients with systemic sclerosis‐associated lung disease ( SS c‐ ILD ) who experienced an inadequate response to first line cyclophosphamide ( CYC ) therapy. Twelve consecutive SS c‐ ILD patients who received MMF due to inadequate response to CYC as a first line agent, were retrospectively reviewed. Over the course of 2 years, pulmonary function tests ( PFT ) and high‐resolution computed tomography ( HRCT ) scans were performed. Following initial baseline tests, PFT s were continued at a frequency of every 6 months and HRCT scans were performed every 12 months. After MMF treatment, values of forced vital capacity ( FVC ) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide ( DLCO ) improved in three (25%) and two (16.6%) patients, respectively. It is also noted that the evaluation of serial HCRT scans showed no change in 54.5% of patients. Our case series suggested that PFT and imaging scores seemed to be stabilized by MMF in SS c‐ ILD patients who were inadequate responders to CYC .