Efficacy of Repeated Courses of Rituximab as Treatment for Pemphigus Vulgaris

Authors

  • Sharon Baum
  • Tal Raviv
  • Sarit Gilboa
  • Felix Pavlotsky
  • Aviv Barzilai

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-3649

Keywords:

repeated course, rituximab, pemphigus vulgaris, remission

Abstract

Rituximab targets the B-lymphocyte antigen CD20, providing pemphigus vulgaris patients with long-term remissions. However, the effects of repeated courses have not yet been established. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of repeated rituximab courses on remission length in pemphigus vulgaris. A total of 73 patients with pemphigus vulgaris treated with rituximab at a single centre were retrospectively analysed. Of 73 study participants (28 men, 45 women), 42 (58%) received a 2nd course of rituximab, 24 (33%) received a 3rd course, 4 (6%) received a 4th course, and one (1%) received a 5th course. Rituximab remained efficacious in each course, irrespective of previous treatments (complete remission 75?81%). Following the 2nd and 3rd courses, the results indicated longer remissions with reduced flare-ups, and the remission length increased with each subsequent course. We conclude that rituximab serves as a disease-modifying agent, notably for patients with moderate-to-severe pemphigus vulgaris.

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Published

2020-10-06

How to Cite

Baum, S., Raviv, T., Gilboa, S., Pavlotsky, F., & Barzilai, A. (2020). Efficacy of Repeated Courses of Rituximab as Treatment for Pemphigus Vulgaris. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 100(17), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-3649

Issue

Vol. 100 No. 17 (2020): October

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2020 Sharon Baum, Tal Raviv, Sarit Gilboa, Felix Pavlotsky, Aviv Barzilai

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