Rituximab in pemphigus

Clinical and immunological outcomes of high- and low-dose rituximab treatments in patients with pemphigus: a randomized, comparative, observer-blinded study

“…Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20, is widely used in the treatment of resistant or severe pemphigus, and is currently considered by some as the first‐line treatment, even for treatment‐naïve patients . This new treatment modality seems to be replacing systemic corticosteroids as the first‐line therapy at many centres worldwide . Individual case reports have also established the use of rituximab in treating childhood pemphigus …”

“…Although recent studies have established a significant efficacy and favourable safety profile of rituximab in the management of pemphigus, consensus on a treatment schedule is still lacking. There is no agreement on the dose of rituximab to be used, the interval between infusions and indications for repeat infusions . The two commonly used schedules in autoimmune bullous disorders include the lymphoma protocol [375 mg m −2 body surface area (BSA) weekly for 4 weeks] and the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) protocol (2 × 1000 mg, 15 days apart) .…”

Treatment of pemphigus: An Indian perspective

“…This was highlighted by us in an earlier editorial entitled "Rituximab in pemphigus" in this journal. [21] We are pleased to know that rituximab is also being used now at other centers in India. However, the major limitations of these agents in the Indian scenario are cost, availability, lack of expertise and limited clinical experience.…”

A case of recalcitrant linear IgA bullous dermatosis: Successfully treated with rituximab

“…Rituximab can be used in various protocols and in combination with other immunomodulators. Currently, lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis protocols are commonly used (Kanwar & Vinay, ). The side effects that are possibly related to rituximab included infections (most not severe), anemia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, drug induced fever, acute pruritus, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and tachycardia (Kremer et al, ).…”