[Treatment of severe refractory pemphigus vulgaris with rituximab].
Pemphigus vulgaris is a potentially fatal autoimmune bullous disease. High doses of immunosuppressive drugs are used in managing severe cases of pemphigus. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has proven to be effective in patients with refractory pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus. We review cases of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus not associated with lymphoma that were treated with rituximab, and we report a new case of severe refractory pemphigus vulgaris successfully treated with rituximab.
Pitarch
Gerard
G
Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Spain. gerardpitarch@hotmail.com
Sánchez-Carazo
José L
JL
Pardo
José
J
Torrijos
Arantxa
A
Roche
Elena
E
Fortea
José M
JM
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab