[Benefits of mycophenolate mofetil in non-transplant kidney diseases]

Glomerular diseases remain frequent causes of end-stage renal failure. Immunosuppressive drugs in association with corticosteroids induce remission of proteinuria and stabilize renal function, as well as prevent relapses, but are responsible for severe potential side-effects: infections, secondary malignancies, sterility and alopecia, and even nephrotoxicity. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a well-known drug in transplantation, presents interesting characteristics potentially useful in the treatment of glomerulopathies. Moreover, its side-effect profile is safer. The present review of the literature suggests that MMF is efficient for the treatment of glomerular disease, even if the results of the different studies remain limited and require further confirmation.