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Mycophenolic acid: Danger of new SARS-CoV-2 variants for patients!
Research at UKE shows that mycophenolic acid can promote SARS-CoV-2 variants. Results published in PNAS.
Mycophenolic acid: Danger of new SARS-CoV-2 variants for patients!
A new study by researchers at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and the Ruhr University Bochum draws attention to an alarming aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic. As news.rub.de reports, the study shows that the immune-inhibiting active ingredient mycophenolic acid (MPA) can promote the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 virus variants. This comes from extensive studies that identified specific mutations in the virus's genome, including S P812R, ORF3 Q185H and E S6L.
MPA is used as an antimetabolite to specifically suppress the immune system, for example after organ transplants. What is particularly interesting is that the antiviral effect of MPA has been demonstrated against UV-stressed viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Mpox virus (MPXV). But Dr. Toni Luise Meister, the first author of the study, warns: “Under immunosuppressive conditions, new virus variants can emerge, which poses an increasing risk for patients with weakened immune systems,” says Meister.
Viral adaptation mechanisms
The researchers show that although MPA has antiviral properties, viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are able to circumvent the inhibitory mechanism by adapting. This finding is also found in the comprehensive study on the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of mycophenolic acid and its comparison with other compounds, which can be found in a publication by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. In these studies, it was found that MPA can reduce viral RNA levels by approximately 100-fold, reaching a significant half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 0.87 µM.
Another important point is that understanding about immunity is crucial in today's world. It must be borne in mind that the use of MPA is associated not only with an antiviral effect, but also with the possibility of virus mutations. A solid basis for these considerations can also be found in the Virology Journal, where the zoonosis and the adaptation mechanisms of the corona virus are described.
A chat about risks and opportunities
Dealing with MPA reveals both risks and opportunities. It is undeniable that the drug is very popular in post-transplant therapy. But health organizations must be aware that new variants arise not only from a lack of immunity, but also from the use of therapeutic measures. Further studies are needed to better understand the long-term effects of MPA on virus variants.
The results of this study, published on July 9, 2025 in the journal *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, are both a warning and a call for further research into how we deal with viruses in an increasingly complex world.