Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (650 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Compound derived from Penicillium stoloniferum and related species. It blocks de novo biosynthesis of purine nucleotides by inhibition of the enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (imp dehydrogenase). Mycophenolic acid exerts selective effects on the immune system in which it prevents the proliferation of t-cells, lymphocytes, and the formation of antibodies from b-cells. It may also inhibit recruitment of leukocytes to sites of inflammation.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Cellcept; Mycophenolate Mofetil; Mofetil, Mycophenolate; Mycophenolic Acid Morpholinoethyl Ester; RS 61443; RS-61443; RS61443; Mycophenolate Mofetil Hydrochloride.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Caproates; Fatty Acids
Related concepts
- Imp Dehydrogenase
- T-Lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes
- B-Cells
- Leukocytes
- Inflammation
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 9,773 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Mycophenolic Acid” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 1,823 of them (18.7%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2000-2009 with 3,669 records.
Reviews account for 1,292 records (13.2%) and meta-analyses for 163. Randomized controlled trials number 870 (8.9%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up a comparatively large share of this literature, which means many treatment questions have been tested directly.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 883 |
| 2000-2009 | 3,669 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,398 |
| 2020 onward | 1,823 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 1,292 | 13.2% |
| Meta-analyses | 163 | 1.7% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 870 | 8.9% |
Method: PubMed query "Mycophenolic Acid"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in drugs and chemicals
Studies of a chemical or drug can answer very different questions: what it is and how it behaves in cells and animals, how the body handles it, and whether it changes outcomes in people. Laboratory and animal findings often do not carry over to patients, and observational studies of exposures are confounded by who uses a substance and why. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to use, avoid, start or stop any substance or medicine; talk to a qualified clinician or pharmacist about your own situation. Check the dose, the species, the comparison group and whether a patient-relevant outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Effect of Tacrolimus and Mycophenolic Acid on CD14+ Monocyte Activation and Function | 2017 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 43 | cc by PMID 28122021 · DOI · PMC5266297 |
| Low-Dose Mycophenolate Mofetil for Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A Prospective Multicenter Study in South China | 2018 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 34 | cc by PMID 30258442 · DOI · PMC6143768 |
| Brevianamides and Mycophenolic Acid Derivatives from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Penicillium brevicompactum DFFSCS025 | 2017 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 32 | cc by PMID 28218640 · DOI · PMC5334623 |
| Novel Marine Fungus-Derived Mycophenolic Acids That Inhibit Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Proliferation | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 41892967 · DOI · PMC13028257 |
The Effect of Tacrolimus and Mycophenolic Acid on CD14+ Monocyte Activation and Function [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Monocytes and macrophages play key roles in many disease states, including cellular and humoral rejection after solid organ transplantation (SOT).
- Closing excerpt
- These results show that tacrolimus and MPA do not strongly affect monocyte function, apart from a change in macrophage polarization, to a clinically relevant degree.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (258 words)
Monocytes and macrophages play key roles in many disease states, including cellular and humoral rejection after solid organ transplantation (SOT). To suppress alloimmunity after SOT, immunosuppressive drug therapy is necessary. However, little is known about the effects of the immunosuppressive drugs tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid (MPA) on monocyte activation and function. Here, the effect of these immunosuppressants on monocytes was investigated by measuring phosphorylation of three intracellular signaling proteins which all have a major role in monocyte function: p38MAPK, ERK and Akt. In addition, biological functions downstream of these signaling pathways were studied, including cytokine production, phagocytosis and differentiation into macrophages. To this end, blood samples from healthy volunteers were spiked with diverse concentrations of tacrolimus and MPA. Tacrolimus (200 ng/ml) inhibited phosphorylation of p38MAPK by 30% (mean) in CD14+ monocytes which was significantly less than in activated CD3+ T cells (max 60%; p < 0.05). This immunosuppressive agent also partly inhibited p-AKT (14%). MPA, at a therapeutic concentration showed the strongest effect on p-AKT (27% inhibition). p-ERK was inhibited with a maximum of 15% after spiking with either tacrolimus or MPA. The production of IL-1β and phagocytosis by monocytes were not affected by tacrolimus concentrations, whereas MPA did inhibit IL-1β production by 50%. Monocyte/macrophage polarization was shifted to an M2-like phenotype in the presence of tacrolimus, while MPA increased the expression of M2 surface markers, including CD163 and CD200R, on M1 macrophages. These results show that tacrolimus and MPA do not strongly affect monocyte function, apart from a change in macrophage polarization, to a clinically relevant degree.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 28122021 · DOI · PMC5266297
Low-Dose Mycophenolate Mofetil for Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A Prospective Multicenter Study in South China [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, 1,000 mg/day) treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs).
- Closing excerpt
- gov, identifier : NCT02809079.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (176 words)
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, 1,000 mg/day) treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs). Methods: This study was a multicenter, open, prospective, follow-up clinical trial. The data include retrospective clinical data from the pretreatment phase and prospective data from the post-treatment phase. From September 2014 to February 2017, NMOSD patients seropositive for aquaporin 4-IgG (AQP4-IgG) were treated with low-dose MMF. Results: Ninety NMOSD patients were treated with MMF for a median duration of 18 months (range 6-40 months). The median annual recurrence rate (ARR) decreased from 1.02 before treatment to 0 (P P P = 0.038) after the first 90 days of treatment. The serum AQP4-IgG titer decreased in 50 cases (63%). The median Simple McGill pain score (SF-MPQ) was reduced in 65 patients (88%) with myelitis from 17 (range 0-35) to 11 (range 0-34) after treatment (P P Conclusion: Low-dose MMF reduced clinical relapse and disability in NMOSD patients in South China. However, some patients still suffered from adverse events at this dosage.Clinical trial registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier : NCT02809079.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 30258442 · DOI · PMC6143768
Brevianamides and Mycophenolic Acid Derivatives from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Penicillium brevicompactum DFFSCS025 [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Four new compounds (1-4), including two brevianamides and two mycochromenic acid derivatives along with six known compounds were isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium brevicompactum DFFSCS025.
- Closing excerpt
- The NMR data of 6, 8, and 9 were assigned for the first time.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (109 words)
Four new compounds (1-4), including two brevianamides and two mycochromenic acid derivatives along with six known compounds were isolated from the deep-sea-derived fungus Penicillium brevicompactum DFFSCS025. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Moreover, the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by quantum chemical calculations of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compound 9 showed moderate cytotoxicity against human colon cancer HCT116 cell line with IC50 value of 15.6 μM. In addition, 3 and 5 had significant antifouling activity against Bugula neritina larval settlement with EC50 values of 13.7 and 22.6 μM, respectively. The NMR data of 6, 8, and 9 were assigned for the first time.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 28218640 · DOI · PMC5334623
Novel Marine Fungus-Derived Mycophenolic Acids That Inhibit Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Proliferation [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Nine new mycophenolic acid derivatives, penicacids O-W (1-9), two first-time reported natural products (10, 11), and five known compounds (12-16), were isolated from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium senticosum RCDB005 found in a South China Sea sediment sample.
- Closing excerpt
- 13 μM.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (107 words)
Nine new mycophenolic acid derivatives, penicacids O-W (1-9), two first-time reported natural products (10, 11), and five known compounds (12-16), were isolated from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium senticosum RCDB005 found in a South China Sea sediment sample. Their structures were determined using NMR, HRESIMS, and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, X-ray crystallography, and modified Mosher's methods. Eight of these compounds were evaluated for anti-proliferative effects against nine human cancer cell lines and the IC50 values ranged from nM to μM levels. Compounds 5, 7-9 showed potent inhibition activity against MOLM-13 acute myeloid leukemia cells with IC50 values between 0.13 and 1.13 μM.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41892967 · DOI · PMC13028257
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Mycophenolate mofetil and its mechanisms of action [5]
- Research article Systemic lupus erythematosus [6]
- Research article Mycophenolate mofetil reduces late renal allograft loss independent of acute rejection [7]
- Research article Consensus report on therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid in solid organ transplantation [8]
- Research article Mycophenolic acid pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics provide a basis for rational monitoring strategies [9]
- Research article Current issues in therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid: report of a roundtable discussion [10]
References
- Kannegieter NM, Hesselink DA, Dieterich M, Kraaijeveld R, Rowshani AT, Leenen PJ, et al.. The Effect of Tacrolimus and Mycophenolic Acid on CD14+ Monocyte Activation and Function. . 2017. PMID 28122021 · DOI · PMC5266297
- Huang Q, Wang J, Zhou Y, Yang H, Wang Z, Yan Z, et al.. Low-Dose Mycophenolate Mofetil for Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A Prospective Multicenter Study in South China. . 2018. PMID 30258442 · DOI · PMC6143768
- Xu X, Zhang X, Nong X, Wang J, Qi S. Brevianamides and Mycophenolic Acid Derivatives from the Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Penicillium brevicompactum DFFSCS025. . 2017. PMID 28218640 · DOI · PMC5334623
- Deng G, Ruan W, Li Q, Peng Q, Liu Y, Lin L, et al.. Novel Marine Fungus-Derived Mycophenolic Acids That Inhibit Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Proliferation. . 2026. PMID 41892967 · DOI · PMC13028257
- Allison AC, Eugui EM. Mycophenolate mofetil and its mechanisms of action. Immunopharmacology. 2000. PMID 10878285 · DOI
- D'Cruz DP, Khamashta MA, Hughes GR. Systemic lupus erythematosus. Lancet. 2007. PMID 17307106 · DOI
- Ojo AO, Meier-Kriesche HU, Hanson JA, Leichtman AB, Cibrik D, Magee JC, et al.. Mycophenolate mofetil reduces late renal allograft loss independent of acute rejection. Transplantation. 2000. PMID 10868649 · DOI
- Kuypers DR, Le Meur Y, Cantarovich M, Tredger MJ, Tett SE, Cattaneo D, et al.. Consensus report on therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid in solid organ transplantation. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010. PMID 20056756 · DOI
- Shaw LM, Korecka M, Venkataramanan R, Goldberg L, Bloom R, Brayman KL. Mycophenolic acid pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics provide a basis for rational monitoring strategies. Am J Transplant. 2003. PMID 12752309 · DOI
- Shaw LM, Holt DW, Oellerich M, Meiser B, van Gelder T. Current issues in therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid: report of a roundtable discussion. Ther Drug Monit. 2001. PMID 11477311 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.