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Recommendations for the use of rituximab (anti-CD20 antibody) in the treatment of autoimmune bullous skin diseases.
- Source :
- Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft; May2008, Vol. 6 Issue 5, p366-373, 8p, 1 Color Photograph, 1 Diagram, 3 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- Autoimmune bullous skin disorders are induced by autoantibodies against distinct adhesion complexes of the epidermal and dermal-epidermal junction. Since most of these disorders are characterized by a severe, potentially lethal course,they require long-term immunosuppressive treatment to reduce the de novo synthesis of pathogenic autoantibodies by B lymphocytes. Rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 on B lymphocytes, has shown promise in several case reports or cohort studies in the treatment of paraneo-plastic pemphigus,refractory cases of pemphigus vulgaris and foliaceus and in other autoimmune bullous disorders.Treatment with rituximab leads to depletion of pathogenic B-cells which may last up to 12 months resulting in a reduction of plasma cells secreting pathogenic autoantibodies.Rituximab is usually administered in an adjuvant setting at a dose of 375 mg/m<superscript>2</superscript> i.v.in weekly intervals for four consecutive weeks in addition to the standard immunosuppressive treatment.The present consensus statement of German-speaking derma-tologists,rheumatologists and oncologists summarizes and evaluates the current evidence for the use and mode of application of rituximab in autoimmune bullous skin disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 16100379
- Volume :
- 6
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31768798
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1610-0387.2007.06602.x