RITUXIMAB IN THE TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY PEMPHIGUS VULGARIS

  • Iolanda Conde Fernandes Interna de Dermatologia e Venereologia/Resident of Dermatology and Venereology, Serviço de Dermatologia, Centro Hospitalar do Porto – Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
  • Madalena Sanches Chefe de Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia/ Consultant Chief of Dermatology and Venereology, Serviço de Dermatologia, Centro Hospitalar do Porto – Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
  • Glória Velho Assistente Hospitalar Graduada de Dermatologia e Venereologia/ Graduated Consultant of Dermatology and Venereology, Serviço de Dermatologia, Centro Hospitalar do Porto – Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
  • Manuela Selores Directora de Serviço de Dermatologia/Head of Dermatology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Porto – Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal

Abstract

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune blistering disease affecting the skin and mucous membranes. In general, it has a severe course and may require long-term treatment with systemic corticosteroids and other immuno- suppressive drugs, which can lead to serious adverse events. Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets the CD20 antigen found on B cells. Recently, there have been some reports documenting its use in the treatment of re- fractory pemphigus. The authors describe two clinical cases of pemphigus vulgaris refractory to conventional therapies that have been treated with rituximab and have achieved complete remission. In conclusion, our experience shows that rituximab is a valuable and safe option to treat severe and refractory pemphigus vulgaris

KEYWORDS – Antibodies, monoclonal; Pemphigus. 

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Published
2013-04-20
How to Cite
Fernandes, I. C., Sanches, M., Velho, G., & Selores, M. (2013). RITUXIMAB IN THE TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY PEMPHIGUS VULGARIS. Journal of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology, 70(4), 525-528. https://doi.org/10.29021/spdv.70.4.108
Section
Case Reports