Alternate “Low” Dosing of Rituximab for Pemphigus May Be Effective

Patients in three studies were able to reduce dosages of prednisone and concomitant immunomodulatory therapy.

The autoimmune blistering disease pemphigus was sometimes fatal before the advent of corticosteroid treatment. Contemporary pemphigus therapy combines systemic corticosteroids with one or more steroid-sparing agents. However, many patients are unable to reduce corticosteroid dosage sufficiently to avoid toxicity. Rituximab, initially approved for B-cell lymphoma and now for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, had produced remission and allowed tapering or ceasing of steroid and immunosuppressive therapy for pemphigus.

Three groups of international investigators report outcomes with a single course of rituximab for patients with pemphigus. Fifteen Dutch patients (12 pemphigus vulgaris [PV]; 3 pemphigus foliaceus [PF]), 9 Ca…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)