Colchicine for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.
BACKGROUND
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a chronic subepidermal blistering disease that is difficult to treat. Recently one patient with severe EBA was described who responded dramatically to colchicine.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine the efficacy of colchicine in the treatment of EBA.


METHODS
Four patients with severe EBA refractory to conventional therapy were treated with colchicine 0.6 to 1.5 mg a day for up to 4 years.


RESULTS
In all four patients the lessening of skin fragility and the decrease in spontaneous blister formation were dramatic; few side effects were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Colchicine should be considered in the treatment of EBA.
Cunningham
B B
BB
Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical School, Palo Alto, California, USA.
Kirchmann
T T
TT
Woodley
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003078:Colchicine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology; D016107:Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000473:pathology; D012074:Remission Induction; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D003078:Colchicine