Refractory pemphigus vulgaris treated with rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil.
The main treatment for pemphigus vulgaris are systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents, but due to adverse reactions and therapeutic failure, new drugs such as rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil have been used. In this case report are described two cases of severe pemphigus vulgaris refractory to various treatments, with resolution after use of rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil, associated with corticosteroids. A higher-than-usual dose of rituximab was employed, without the occurrence of serious adverse reactions. Mycophenolate mofetil was added as adjunctive therapy due to lack of response to azathioprine.
Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Stephanie Del Rio Navarrete
Sdel R
Biot
Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Joanna Pimenta de Araujo
JP
Franco
Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Ricardo Barbosa
RB
Lima
Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Henrique Novo Costa
HN
Pereira
Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Luiz Paulo José
LP
Marques
Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Carlos José
CJ
Martins
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D001379:Azathioprine