mycophenolate sodium + prednisolone

This combination therapy consists of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (brand name Myfortic) and low-dose prednisolone. It is being investigated by The University of Hong Kong as a first-line treatment for adult patients with idiopathic minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). Mycophenolic acid, the active moiety of mycophenolate sodium, is a potent, selective, uncompetitive, and reversible inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). By inhibiting the de novo pathway of guanosine nucleotide synthesis, it suppresses the proliferation of T- and B-lymphocytes, which are heavily dependent on this pathway. Prednisolone is a synthetic corticosteroid that acts as a glucocorticoid receptor agonist, exerting broad anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects by modulating gene expression and inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines. The combination aims to achieve clinical remission in MCNS patients while reducing the cumulative dose of steroids, thereby mitigating steroid-related adverse effects.

Brand names

Myfortic

Other names

enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium + prednisoloneMyfortic plus low-dose steroidEC-MPS + prednisolone