1. Successful treatment of refractory childhood pemphgus vulgaris with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab).
- Author
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Kong HH, Prose NS, Ware RE, and Hall RP 3rd
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived, Antigens, CD20 immunology, Female, Humans, Immunosuppressive Agents therapeutic use, Pemphigus diagnosis, Rituximab, Treatment Failure, Treatment Outcome, Antibodies, Monoclonal therapeutic use, Immunologic Factors therapeutic use, Pemphigus drug therapy
- Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris is an uncommon autoimmune blistering skin disorder that is particularly rare in children. Immunosuppressive treatment can be challenging. Rituximab (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) has been used to treat autoimmune disorders by depletion of CD20 B cells. Successful rituximab therapy has been reported in adults with refractory pemphigus vulgaris. We present a girl with childhood pemphigus vulgaris unresponsive to treatment with azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immunoglobulin with systemic prednisone who responded to treatment with rituximab. She had a corresponding decline in circulating antibodies against desmoglein 1 and 3 and a decline in diphtheria and tetanus-specific antibody titers.
- Published
- 2005
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