title: Application of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pemphigus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pemphigus is a rare and fatal autoimmune disease for which the treatment options are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APHSCT) for pemphigus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted APHSCT for 12 pemphigus patients (seven males and five females, mean age 23.8 years) with life-threatening complications or who responded poorly to conventional therapy. Peripheral blood stem cells were mobilized with cyclophosphamide, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and rituximab, and purified autologous CD34+stem cells were infused. Overall survival rate, progression-free survival, and adverse events were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a mean follow-up period of 80.3 months, overall survival and complete clinical remission rates were 92% (11/12) and 75% (9/12), respectively. Adverse effects included pyrexia, allergy, infection, and elevation of enzymes. Only one patient died of severe sepsis and multiple organ failure 2 months after APHSCT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall APHSCT is a promising therapeutic option for pemphigus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Menglei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Xuebiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Qifa
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Yanyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Kuan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Pingjiao
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Qingxiu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Yusheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Minghua
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; pemphigus