title: Remission Time after Rituximab Treatment for Autoimmune Bullous Disease: A Proposed Update Definition.
abstract: A therapeutic endpoint is a very important tool to evaluate response in clinical trials. In 2005, a consensus statement identified two late endpoints of disease activity in pemphigus: complete remission off therapy and complete remission on therapy, both definitions applying to patients without lesions for at least 2 months. The same period of time was considered for partial remission off/on therapy. These definitions were later applied to bullous pemphigoid and are considered in most studies on autoimmune bullous disease. These endpoints were established for different adjuvant agents, but at that moment, rituximab was not considered. Rituximab is known for the long duration of its effect, and in most studies relapses have been reported later than 6 months after treatment. In our opinion, time to remission after rituximab treatment should be redefined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iranzo
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pigem
authors.forename: Priscila
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giavedoni
authors.forename: Mercè
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alsina-Gibert
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab