Mycophenolic acid: Danger of new SARS-COV-2 variants for patients!

Mycophenolic acid: Danger of new SARS-COV-2 variants for patients!

A new study by the researchers from the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and the Ruhr University Bochum draws attention to an alarming aspect of the Covid 19 pandemic. As reported [news.rub.de] (https://news.rub.de/Swissenschaft/2025-07-virology-mycophenolsaeure-kann-neue-sars-2- virusvariant-creeping), the investigation shows that the immune-inhibiting active ingredient mycophenolic acid (mpa) SARS-COV-2 virus variants can favor. This results from extensive studies in which specific mutations in the genetic makeup of the virus, including S P812R, ORF3 Q185H and E S6L, were identified.

mpa is used as an anti -timetabolite to specifically suppress the immune system, for example after organ transplantation. It is particularly interesting that the antiviral effect of MPA against UV-stressed viruses such as SARS-COV-2, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the MPOX virus (MPXV) has been demonstrated. But Dr. Toni Luise Meister, the first author of the study, warns: "Under immunosuppressive conditions, new virus variants can arise, which is an increasing risk of patients with a weakened immune system," says Meister.

viral adaptation mechanisms

The researchers show that MPA has antiviral properties, but the viruses like Sars-Cov-2 are able to avoid the inhibitory mechanism by adapting. This finding can also be found in the comprehensive examination of the anti-sars-cov-2 activity of mycophenolic acid and its comparison with other compounds, which can be found in a publication of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. In these studies it was found that MPA can reduce the viral RNA level by about 100 times, whereby a significant half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) was achieved of 0.87 µm.

Another important point is that community is of central importance in today's world. It must be borne in mind that the use of MPA not only goes hand in hand with an antiviral effect, but also the possibility of virus mutations. There is also a solid basis for these considerations in the Virology Journal, where zoonose and the adaptation mechanisms of the corona virus are described.

a chat about risks and opportunities

dealing with MPA shows both risks and opportunities. It is undeniable that the remedy in post-transplant therapy is very popular. However, the organizations in the health sector must be aware that new variants not only arise from a lack of immunity, but also from the use of therapeutic measures. Further studies are necessary to better understand the long -term effects of MPA on virus variants.

The results of this study, which were published on July 9, 2025 in the specialist magazine * Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences *, are therefore both a warning and a call for further exploration of our handling of viruses in an increasingly complex world.