A comprehensive analysis of treatment outcomes in patients with pemphigus vulgaris treated with rituximab

Approximately 500 treatment recalcitrant pemphigus vulgaris patients have been treated with rituximab. They were treated according to the lymphoma protocol (N = 224) or rheumatoid arthritis protocol (RAP) (N = 209) patients. Others were treated with modifications or combinations of the two. The mean duration of follow-up with the lymphoma protocol was 28.9 months and 21.9 in the rheumatoid arthritis protocol. The majority of the patients received corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy before, during, and after rituximab therapy. A clinical remission on therapy was observed in 90%-95% of patients within less than six weeks. A complete resolution occurred within three to four months. A small percentage of patients were able to stay in clinical remission without the need for additional systemic therapy. The incidence of relapse was at least 50%. The number of patients who required additional rituximab was 60% to 90%. A majority of patients in clinical remission post-rituximab therapy, were still on CS and ISA, albeit at lower doses. Serious adverse events were reported in a mean of five patients (range 2-9), the most important was infection and frequently resulting in septicemia. The mortality rate related to rituximab was a mean of 2 patients (range 1-3). Hence, the preliminary conclusions that can be drawn are that rituximab is an excellent agent to induce early remission. The protocols that were used were not ideal for producing a prolonged and sustained remission without additional therapy. The advantages and specificity of targeting B-cells demonstrate that rituximab is one of the best biological agents, currently available for treating recalcitrant pemphigus. Its further use is encouraged. Future research needs to focus on modifying, improving and possibly adding additional agents, so that prolonged and sustained remissions can be obtained by its use.