title: Therapy of refractory pemphigus vulgaris with monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab).
abstract: Three patients with refractory pemphigus vulgaris improved after rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody directed against B cells. Treatment was well tolerated immediately, but one patient developed fatal pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Serious infections have occurred in several pemphigus patients treated with rituximab and immunosuppressive medications, warranting further evaluation of risk-benefit ratio.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA. morrisol@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Lynne H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000209:etiology; D012074:Remission Induction; D012307:Risk Factors; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab