Intermediate doses of rituximab used as adjuvant therapy in refractory pemphigus

Abstract

Rituximab is able to induce a prolonged clinical remission in pemphigus after a single course of four infusions. The high cost and limited knowledge of long term adverse effects are limitations to the use of this biologic agent.

Rituximab therapy in pemphigus foliaceus: report of 12 cases and review of recent literature

“…Complete remission was reached in 81Á5% of cases, including 27 patients described in the patient-level articles. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] In the present study, among 12 patients with PF, complete remission was achieved in 50%. The patient on PR off therapy was content with their status, which was preferable to adding concomitant therapy to reach complete remission eventually.…”

“…In the first few years the dose tended to be the haematological dose (four weekly doses of 375 mg m −2 ), before a switch to 1 g weekly for 2 weeks in the last 2 years. Complete remission was reached in 81·5% of cases, including 27 patients described in the patient‐level articles …”

Sustained Remission of Pemphigus in Indian Patients with A Modified Lymphoma Rituximab Protocol

“…However, there is a paucity of case studies using lymphoma protocol of rituximab for the treatment of pemphigus in the Indian scenario. In a study by Londhe et al, 24 patients treated by one injection of rituximab per week for 3 consecutive weeks by 375 mg/ m 2 BSA with the 4 th infusion 3 months after 3 rd dose, resulted in CR in 12 patients without systemic therapy [7] . Complete remission with low dose steroid and Immunosuppressant was achieved in 7 patients.…”

Rituximab in pemphigus: Road covered and challenges ahead

“…Londhe et al . [ 17 ] treated 24 pemphigus patients with a modified version of LP [ Table 1 ]. At a mean follow-up of 18 months, all 24 patients had responded to treatment with 9 patients achieving CR(off), 10 achieving CR(on), and 5 patients achieving partial remission (PR).…”