New strategies for the removal of mycophenolate mofetil from aqueous solutions

Abstract

Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) is cytostatic drug acting as an inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH, classified by ATC/DDD as an immunosuppressant (L04AA06) that is used in the treatment of cancer and also to prevent organ rejection after hepatic, renal, and cardiac transplants. However, as with other cytostatic drugs, MMF is highly toxic and thus its handling and disposal is a matter of great concern. The aim of this work is to remove MMF from aqueous solutions resembling urine. Silica-based materials were prepared and after an initial screening of all supported ionic liquids (SILs) synthetized, the best three materials were selected, and adsorption studies were performed in comparison with Activated Carbon. The obtained results disclose that the best material is able to remove over 90% of the MMF present in the initial solution, with a qe (amount of MMF adsorbed in the material, in equilibrium) of ca. 4 mg.g-1.