title: [Rituximab induced remission of pemphigus vulgaris: 2 cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pemphigus vulgaris frequently requires corticoids and immuno-suppressive drugs. The disease and the side effects of the drugs severely affect the quality of life, and sometime the vital prognosis of the patients. Other treatments than corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs are needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 2 additional cases of pemphigus vulgaris uncontrolled by corticoids and immuno-suppressive drugs that responded spectacularly to rituximab. One patient had a recently onset disease, that was active despite 1,5 mg/kg/day prednisone and 1,5 g/day mycophenolate. She had a complete remission during 15 months after rituximab treatment. At relapse, another rituximab cycle led to a prompt remission. The other patient had longstanding pemphigus vulgaris complicated by cutaneous infections on prednisone (20 mg/d), immunosuppressive drugs and intravenous immune globulins. She had a prompt and complete remission after rituximab.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rituximab seems to be a promising drug for refractory pemphigus vulgaris. The benefit to risk ratio of this drug in this new indication must be precisely documented.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne, CHU de Purpan, pavillon Dieulafoy, Salle-Le-Tallec, place du Docteur-Baylac, 31059 Toulouse cedex, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Launay
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garrouste
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Astudillo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bazex
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arlet
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Viraben
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sailler
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab