Efficacy of rituximab in pediatric pemphigus: A literature review

Diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes of pediatric pemphigus: a retrospective study at tertiary medical centers

BACKGROUND

Pediatric pemphigus is a rare bullous disease that represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge;  evidence on patients' response to various treatments and long-term surveillance data are lacking. We aimed to investigate pediatric pemphigus patients' characteristics, diagnosis, therapeutics, response, and long-term follow-up.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of all pemphigus patients aged <18 years, diagnosed between 2000 and 2023, from three tertiary medical centers in Israel. The diagnosis was confirmed by positive immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Twelve pediatric pemphigus patients were included (mean age 10.7 ± 4.3 years, male:female ratio 1:1). Mean diagnostic delay was 11.1 ± 12.6 months (range 1.8-36 months). Most patients had pemphigus vulgaris with mucosal involvement (58.3%). First-line treatment for all patients included systemic corticosteroids (sCS), with a treatment duration (including tapering down) of 28 ± 18.4 months. Hospitalization did not yield better outcomes. Only three patients achieved sustained complete response with sCS treatment (25.0%), and the rest required additional therapeutics, most commonly rituximab. Rituximab showed a good safety profile and therapeutic response. Follow-up was recorded up to 18.1 years after diagnosis (mean: 5.6 years). Three of five patients with information available more than 5 years after the pemphigus diagnosis still exhibited disease symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric pemphigus is associated with a significant diagnostic delay. While sCS can induce remission in most patients as a first-line treatment, long-term disease control requires additional immunomodulators. Long-term follow-up reveals a chronic yet mostly benign disease course in this population and advocates for the use of rituximab in pediatric pemphigus patients.

Rescue treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and amniotic membrane dressing in refractory paediatric pemphigus vulgaris with sepsis

We report a case of refractory paediatric pemphigus vulgaris with sepsis, treated successfully with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and amniotic membrane dressing. The patient was initially started on oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) and dapsone 50 mg once daily. Azathioprine 50 mg orally was then used in place of dapsone due to rapid disease progression with extensive skin involvement. However, the patient developed sepsis and azathioprine had to be discontinued. Because of rapidly progressive disease and sepsis, the patient was put on IVIG at a dose of 2 g/kg in divided doses over 3 days along with amniotic membrane dressing. There was marked improvement after 2 weeks of follow-up.

Rituximab in the Management of a Child with Pemphigus Vulgaris: Case Study

Background. Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune bullous dermatosis. Its management generally involves lifelong administration of maintenance dose of systemic glucocorticosteroids, that leading to serious adverse effects especially in children. Clinical case description. Patient is the 16 years old boy with severe course of pemphigus vulgaris. The diagnosis was confirmed by the results of cell smear study from fresh erosions (> 50 acantholytic cells were revealed), histological examination of the skin biopsy from the lesion with the vesicle element (suprabasal vesicle was localized in the center, it included fibrin, neutrophil granulocytes, and acantholytic cells), skin biopsy from the area near the lesion (visually healthy skin), via direct immunofluorescence methods (IgG deposition was detected on keratinocytes’ surface throughout the epidermis), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (desmoglein 1 IgG autoantibodies — 121 U/mL (reference value < 20 U/mL) and desmoglein 3 — > 200 U/mL (reference value < 20 U/mL)). Genetically engineered biologic drug, rituximab, and systemic glucocorticosteroid, methylprednisolone, were prescribed as first-line therapy with gradual dose reduction to permanent discontinuation in 8 months. Complete remission maintained after the completion of therapy course and discontinuation of systemic glucocorticosteroid. Conclusion. Combined therapy with systemic glucocorticosteroids and rituximab can be considered as first-line therapy in pediatric patients with pemphigus vulgaris due to relatively low risk of recurrence after rather rapid and complete drugs’ discontinuation.

Management of pediatric pemphigus vulgaris with rituximab: A case report and review of the literature

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV), an acquired autoimmune bullous disease, is caused by autoantibodies targeting desmosomal proteins in the skin and mucous membranes. Recent data from the adult PV population supports the use of rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 IgG1 antibody, as a primary treatment strategy, but limited data exist regarding treatment in the pediatric population. We report the case of a 13-year-old male with PV treated successfully with systemic corticosteroids and rituximab, and review the literature supporting the treatment of pediatric PV with rituximab.

Burden of pemphigus vulgaris with a particular focus on women: A review

Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disorder. Apart from the disease itself, other aspects of patients' life, including psychological, social, and financial, can be affected. Women are particularly more disposed to the impact of the disease due to their physiological characteristics, the specific periods of pregnancy and lactation as well as their social and familial role. In this review, we summarized the burden of pemphigus vulgaris on various aspects of women's lives. It is essential to understand these problems and provide appropriate support for patients with such a burdensome disease.