The efficacy of Mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of Chinese Takayasu’s arteritis

To investigate the therapeutic effect of mycophenolate mofetil(MMF) on Chinese Takayasu’s arteritis(TAK) patients. Thirty consecutive TAK outpatients were prospectively enrolled during 2013 to 2015. MMF combined with glucocorticoid was the primary treatment regimen. If clinical stable disease could not be reached, another traditional immunosuppressive agent could be added. All patients were evaluated and followed up every 3 months and vascular image studies by Doppler ultrasonography were repeated every 6 months. The effectiveness of MMF was defined as:(1) ESR < 20 mm/hr;(2) CRP < 10 mg/L or hs-CRP<3 mg/L;(3) stable or improved in vascular image studies;(4) clinical assessment is stable, improved or in remission;(5) the dosage of glucocorticoid could be tapered to less than 15 mg/day. ESR < 40 mm/hr, CRP < 20 mg/L or hs-CRP < 6 mg/L, but meet the other three criteria is defined as partial effectiveness. MMF alone combined with corticosteroid was effective in 12(40.0%) patients. When MMF combined with methotrexate less than 15 mg/week, the effective rate was 30.0%(9/30), including partial effective in 3 patients. When MMF combined with azathioprine 100–150 mg/day, the effective rate was 10.0%(3/30), including partial effective in 1 patient. Four patients withdrew due to side effects. Two patients failed to show response. The overall effective rate of therapy including MMF in treating TAK is 80%.