Emerging treatments for pemphigoid diseases

• Pemphigoid diseases are an increasing medical burden with a so far unmet therapeutic need.
• Basic research has identified several potential novel therapeutic targets, including specific leukocyte subsets, cytokines, Fcγ receptors, complement, and others.
• Lead compounds targeting these pathways have been developed for other indications.
• Therefore, several therapeutic targets for the treatment of pemphigoid diseases have emerged, and their potential therapeutic use is discussed here.

Incidence of bullous pemphigoid (BP), the main pemphigoid disease, has increased over the past decades. Despite growing insights into pathogenic mechanisms, treatment is still based on systemic immunosuppression. Furthermore, overall mortality is significantly increased, which can be at least partially attributed to immunosuppressive therapy. Other pemphigoid diseases are also still difficult to treat. Hence, there is a so far unmet need for novel treatment options in patients with pemphigoid disease. Based on recent advances in understanding pathogenesis, several novel potential therapeutic targets have emerged. Interestingly, for some of these targets, lead compounds have been developed. Here, we review emerging therapeutic targets for pemphigoid diseases and discuss which compounds are likely be used in the future.