BACKGROUND De novo malignancies occur after liver transplantation because of immunosuppression and improved long-term survival. But the spectrums and associated risk factors remain unclear. AIMS To describe the overall pattern of de novo cancers in liver transplant recipients. METHODS Data from Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients from October 1987 to December 2009 were analyzed. Th...

This observational case report describes the development of bilateral Mooren-like ulcers in a patient with anesthetic keratopathy. A 42-year-old man with a recent history of minor eye trauma and pain self-treated with tetracaine eye drops presented with complaints of acutely worsening vision and severe pain bilaterally. His visual acuity at presentation was limited to hand motion. Slit-lamp exa...

transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) with temporary biliary stenting was performed within a month of the new diagnosis for worsening cholestasis. Three months later, mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept) was started for persistently increased transaminases. She finally began to respond with significant decrease in serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels. After 3 years of successful manageme...

Background. Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disease affecting the mucous membrane and skin. In 50 to 70% of cases, the initial manifestations of pemphigus vulgaris are oral lesions which may be followed by skin lesions. But it is unusual for the disease to present with initial and solitary persistent lower lip lesions without progression to any other location. Main Observations. ...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although many atopic dermatitis patients can be treated satisfactorily with topical medications and systemic anti-itch approaches, a smaller subset require more aggressive systemic therapies. Familiarity with the latest literature on the benefits and risks of these treatments will enable the clinician and patient to select the most appropriate therapy based on the patient's li...

PURPOSE Generic substitution of brand-name medications can lead to significant cost savings and is an accepted medical practice. This study evaluated clinical and safety outcomes among liver transplant recipients whose mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was converted from the brand-name formulation (Cellcept) to a generic formulation (My-rept). METHODS Clinical data from multiple centers were prospe...

INTRODUCTION Macrophage activating syndrome is a severe, potentially life-threatening condition that may accompany Still's disease. It is characterized by fever, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, severe cytopenia, serious liver dysfunction, coagulopathy and neurologic involvement. The principal treatment for patients with this syndrome includes etoposide 150 mg/2 M twice a week for two weeks...

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is the active ingredient in the increasingly important immunosuppressive pharmaceuticals CellCept (Roche) and Myfortic (Novartis). Despite the long history of MPA, the molecular basis for its biosynthesis has remained enigmatic. Here we report the discovery of a polyketide synthase (PKS), MpaC, which we successfully characterized and identified as responsible for MPA pro...

The patient was a 23-year-old African-American woman with a history of end-stage renal disease secondary to membranous glomerulonephropathy who underwent live donor kidney transplantation. Immunosuppressive therapy consisted of tacrolimus 5 mg twice daily; mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept, Roche) 1,000 mg twice daily; and prednisone 30 mg daily, tapered over time to 5 mg daily. Routine prophylax...

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, CellCept R © ) has become the most frequently used immunosuppressive drug in kidney transplant recipients [1]. Since its approval for the prevention of acute rejection after kidney transplantation in 1995 in the USA and in 1996 in Europe, the use of azathioprine has been rapidly diminishing, giving way to the use of MMF. A second formulation of mycophenolic acid (MPA...