Intravenous Immune Globulin Effective for Treating Cutaneous Dermatomyositis

For patients with skin manifestations who were unresponsive to or unable to tolerate immunosuppressive agents

In 1993, Dalakas et al. reported results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) in patients with dermatomyositis. They were most interested in the response of muscle disease that had been refractory to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. As a secondary measure, they noted improvement in the cutaneous disease (N Engl J Med 1993; 329:1993). Subsequently, there have been multiple open-label reports that attest to the positive results, but none that has specifically dealt with patients with skin lesions only.

These authors report a retrospective analysis of 27 patients with cutaneous lesions of dermatomyositis treated with IVIG. These patients had classic dermatomyositis, clinically amyopathic…

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)