Off-label use of rituximab in dermatology: pemphigus treatment.
Since its approval in 1997 by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration), rituximab has been used for certain B-cell lymphomas and treatment-resistant rheumatoid arthritis. Nevertheless, over the past 14 years, many case reports have demonstrated the efficacy of off-label rituximab in several dermatological inflammatory conditions. This study describes two cases of pemphigus vulgaris and two cases of pemphigus foliaceous that were treated with rituximab at 375 mg/m2 once a week for 4 weeks, and that responded well to treatment.
University Hospital Pedro Ernesto, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro(RJ), Brazil.
Lislaine
L
Bomm
Tainá Scalfoni
TS
Fracaroli
João Luz
JL
Sodré
Aline
A
Bressan
Alexandre Carlos
AC
Gripp
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056687:Off-Label Use; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab