Mendoza FA, et al. - Twenty-five patients with recent-onset of rapidly progressive diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (rp-dcSSc) were assessed by the researchers in order to characterize the clinical evolution of rp-dcSSc patients who were successfully treated with Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) following MMF therapy discontinuation or dose reduction. Five patients developed a relapse of rapid skin involvement with an average of 35.9% increase in modified Rodnan skin score from 7.8 to 10.6 points, out of 19 patients who were serially assessed following MMF discontinuation or dose reduction, requiring MMF re-institution. Worsening respiratory symptoms and reduction of lung volumes in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were observed in 2 patients. The mRSS restored to baseline or steadied and PFTs improved or stabilized post-MMF resumption. Hence, 26.3% of patients exhibited recurrence of severe skin involvement with rp-dcSSc following MMF discontinuation or dose decrease and required immediate MMF therapy resumption. Further, the therapeutic benefit of MMF in rp-dcSSc was confirmed in this study suggesting MMF treatment maintenance for longer than 2 years.