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azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil
Azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil are immunosuppressive agents that inhibit lymphocyte proliferation by blocking purine synthesis, thereby reducing immune cell activation and proliferation.
Azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil are immunosuppressive agents that inhibit lymphocyte proliferation by blocking purine synthesis, thereby reducing immune cell activation and proliferation. Used for Prevention of organ transplant rejection (renal, cardiac, hepatic), Autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammatory bowel disease.
At a glance
| Generic name | azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Imurel, Cellcept |
| Sponsor | Fundacion Investigacion y Desarrollo |
| Drug class | Immunosuppressant / Antimetabolite |
| Target | IMPDH (mycophenolate mofetil); HGPRT and TPMT pathway (azathioprine) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Immunology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Azathioprine is a prodrug that is converted to 6-mercaptopurine, which inhibits de novo purine synthesis and reduces T and B cell proliferation. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a selective inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), preferentially affecting lymphocytes that rely on de novo guanine synthesis. Both agents suppress cell-mediated and humoral immunity, making them effective immunosuppressants for transplant rejection prevention and autoimmune diseases.
Approved indications
- Prevention of organ transplant rejection (renal, cardiac, hepatic)
- Autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Common side effects
- Gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain)
- Leukopenia
- Infection (due to immunosuppression)
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Hepatotoxicity
Key clinical trials
- This Study is a Non-interventional Disease Registry of Adolescent and Adult Patients With Atopic Dermatitis Who Initiate or Switch Any Systemic Treatment
- Safety and Efficacy of Everolimus Treatment in Liver Transplantation for Liver Cancer (PHASE4)
- Different Immunosuppressive Treatment in iMN (PHASE3)
- Simplified IMmunosuppressive Protocol Utilizing Low Dose EnvarsusXR (PHASE4)
- Weaning of Immunosuppression in Nephritis of Lupus (PHASE3)
- Immunosuppressant Management in Rheumatology Patients Undergoing Elective Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (PHASE2)
- Micophenolate Mofetil Versus Azathioprine in Myocarditis (PHASE3)
- Adalimumab vs. Conventional Immunosuppression for Uveitis Trial (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
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