A few memories from the beginning

Fetal malformations associated with exposure to mycophenolic acid during the first trimester

Mycophenolic acid [MPA] is a powerful inhibitor of lymphocyte proliferation. Although this drug has been used across the globe for various maternal comorbidities, multiple concerns have been raised regarding its teratogenic effects. The Food and Drug Administration has changed its category to drug category D (evidence of fetal risk) in 2007. A wide range of congenital malformations in infants born to a mother using this medication have been described in the literature, but there is no specific set pattern of these malformations. We report a case of a female infant who had exposure to mycophenolate by maternal use during the initial phase of 1st trimester of her pregnancy and ended up having multiple congenital malformations. She was managed with multidisciplinary approach and was finally discharged home on respiratory support, after two months of hospital stay. The fact that our patient shared a pattern of congenital malformations with other reported cases who were exposed to mycophenolate in utero strongly suggests that mycophenolate had a causal role and that there might be an emerging fetal mycophenolate mofetil syndrome (FMMS).

Update on the Teratogenicity of Maternal Mycophenolate Mofetil

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) products, namely mycophenolate mofetil and mycophenolate sodium, are immunosuppressive medications used to prevent rejection in solid organ transplant recipients and to treat various autoimmune disorders. Mycophenolate therapy is considered to be teratogenic based on observational studies of pregnancies exposed to MPA, which demonstrated an increased incidence of miscarriages in pregnancies exposed to MPA during their first trimester and a pattern of birth defects in the offspring of some pregnancies exposed to MPA. Herein, we have detailed case and series reports in a comprehensive literature review summarizing what is known to date regarding fetal exposure to MPA. Based on evidence from the literature, results of postmarketing surveillance, and information from registries such as the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry in the United States, it is advised that pregnancy be avoided by women taking MPA. Preconception planning offers the opportunity to explore the alternatives to protect the mother, her transplanted organ, and minimize fetal risk. How to proceed in cases of unplanned pregnancies exposed to MPA in transplant recipients is a complex issue. Research involving large epidemiological studies is expected to be sparse as women heed the warnings about becoming pregnant on MPA. Published recommendations for managing MPA in women of childbearing potential include discontinuing the medication prior to conception, switching the MPA to another medication, or discontinuing the MPA when the pregnancy is discovered.

Induction therapy in pediatric renal transplant recipients: an overview

Induction therapy to prevent the acute rejection of mismatched allografts with the ultimate aim of prolonging the life of the allograft has been the cornerstone of immunosuppression since the introduction of renal transplantation. Agents used for induction therapy have changed over time. Their role in transplantation is expanding to include corticosteroid avoidance and immunosuppression minimization. This review provides an overview of induction therapies for renal transplantation including historic therapies such as total lymphoid irradiation and Minnesota antilymphocyte globulin, and current therapies with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and chemical agents, with special emphasis on children. Data from adult studies, and pediatric studies whenever available, are summarized. A brief summary of experimental therapies with fingolimod and belatacept is provided. Historically, induction therapies were targeted at T cells. The role of induction therapies targeted at B cells is emerging in select groups of patients that include highly sensitized recipients and those receiving transplants from blood group incompatible donors. With the advent of newer maintenance immunosuppressive medications and with very low rates of acute rejection, induction protocols for renal transplantation need to be targeted so that excessive immunosuppression and infections are avoided. Several single-center and registry data analyses in children suggest that the addition of an interleukin (IL)-2 receptor antagonist may improve graft survival compared with no induction. The safety profile of IL-2 receptor antagonists is indistinguishable from that of placebo, with no apparent difference in the incidence of infection or post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. IL-2 receptor antagonists and polyclonal lymphocyte-depleting antibodies offer equivalent efficacy in standard-risk populations. However, in high-risk patients, acute rejection rates and graft outcomes may be improved with the use of lymphocyte-depleting agents such as Thymoglobulin. However, cytomegalovirus infection and other infections may be more common with this therapy. Therefore, in patients at high risk of graft loss, Thymoglobulin may be the preferred choice for induction therapy, while for all other patients, IL-2 receptor antagonists should be considered the first-line choice for induction therapy. Newer lymphocyte-depleting agents such as alemtuzumab may be better utilized in minimization regimens involving one or two oral maintenance immunosuppressive agents.