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Gravani A, Gaitanis G, Spyridonos P, Alexis I, Tigas S, Bassukas ID. Methylprednisolone Plus Low-Dose Methotrexate for Bullous Pemphigoid-A Single Center Retrospective Analysis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11113193. [PMID: 35683576 PMCID: PMC9181025 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11113193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Monomodal systemic glucocorticoids remain the mainstay of treatment for bullous pemphigoid (BP). In this retrospective, single-arm study, we evaluated the feasibility (efficacy and tolerability) of the combination of methylprednisolone and low-dose (up to 12.5 mg/week) methotrexate (MP + MTX) for BP. At week 12, 53/55 (96.4%) patients initiated on MP + MTX during a five-year period (potential follow up time: ≥4 years) remained on treatment. At this time-point, BP remission was achieved in all compliant patients (including n = 24 cases of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors-associated BP; 12-week remission rate: 100% [95% CI: 91.9–100.0%]; mean time to remission: 29.5 days, SEM: 2.3 days) at a mean cumulative MP dose to disease control of 678.4 mg (SEM = 49.4 mg). Eight patients relapsed during follow up (10.81 [95% CI: 5.16–21.72] relapses/100 person years, py), and seven manifested a severe adverse event (6.80 [95% CI: 3.00–14.28] severe adverse events/100 py); however, 73.4% (±7.9%) had suffered neither a relapse nor a SAE at the three-years follow up. Continuing low dose MP intake (≤8 mg/day) beyond week 12 in combination with MTX minimized the risk of a feasibility limiting event (p = 0.013). Conclusively, the combination of methylprednisolone with methotrexate is a promising, safe, and efficient modality for BP patients, which enables rapid glucocorticoid tapering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agoritsa Gravani
- Department of Dermatology, University General Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (A.G.); (G.G.); (I.A.)
| | - Georgios Gaitanis
- Department of Dermatology, University General Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (A.G.); (G.G.); (I.A.)
- Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Panagiota Spyridonos
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
| | - Ioannis Alexis
- Department of Dermatology, University General Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (A.G.); (G.G.); (I.A.)
| | - Stelios Tigas
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
| | - Ioannis D. Bassukas
- Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Khalid SN, Khan ZA, Ali MH, Almas T, Khedro T, Raj Nagarajan V. A blistering new era for bullous pemphigoid: A scoping review of current therapies, ongoing clinical trials, and future directions. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021; 70:102799. [PMID: 34540212 PMCID: PMC8435812 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a severe autoimmune blistering skin disorder that primarily causes disease in the older population and is the most prevalent subepidermal variant of the pemphigoid diseases. It manifests as exquisitely pruritic vesiculobullous eruptions and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Studies are reporting an increase in prevalence, and, among the elderly, BP is no longer considered to be as rare as previously thought. The pathogenesis involves autoantibodies directed against proteinaceous components of hemidesmosomes, with consequent autoimmune destruction of the dermal-epidermal junction. In recent times, more complex elements of the underlying inflammatory orchestra have been elucidated and are being used to develop targeted immunotherapies. The primary treatment modalities of BP include the use of topical and systemic corticosteroids, certain non-immunosuppressive agents (tetracyclines, nicotinamide, and sulfone), and immunosuppressants (methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and Mycophenolate). However, in the long term, most of these agents are associated with substantial toxicities while recurrence rates remain high. Such egregious prospects led to significant efforts being directed towards developing newer targeted therapies which work by attenuating specific newly discovered pillars of the inflammatory pathway, and these efforts have garnered hope in providing safer alternatives. Our review focuses on presenting the various therapeutic options that are currently in trial since December 2019, as well as on summarizing presently established treatment guidelines to provide readers with the latest exciting updates. Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a severe autoimmune blistering skin disorder that primarily causes disease in the older population and is the most prevalent subepidermal variant of the pemphigoid diseases. In recent times, more complex elements of the underlying inflammatory orchestra have been elucidated and are being used to develop targeted immunotherapies. The present review focuses on presenting the various therapeutic options that are currently in trial since December 2019, as well as on summarizing presently established treatment guidelines to provide readers with the latest exciting updates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subaina Naeem Khalid
- Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Zeest Ali Khan
- Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Hamza Ali
- Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Talal Almas
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tarek Khedro
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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Montagnon CM, Lehman JS, Murrell DF, Camilleri MJ, Tolkachjov SN. Subepithelial autoimmune bullous dermatoses disease activity assessment and therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol 2021; 85:18-27. [PMID: 33684494 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.05.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Subepidermal (subepithelial) autoimmune blistering dermatoses are a group of rare skin disorders characterized by the disruption of the dermal-epidermal junction through the action of autoantibodies. The fourth article in this continuing medical education series presents the current validated disease activity scoring systems, serologic parameters, treatments, and clinical trials for bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, bullous systemic lupus erythematosus, anti-p200 pemphigoid, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, and dermatitis herpetiformis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia S Lehman
- Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Dedee F Murrell
- Department of Dermatology, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael J Camilleri
- Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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Borda LJ, Ross A, Villada G, Milikowski C. Acute mucocutaneous methotrexate toxicity with marked tissue eosinophilia. BMJ Case Rep 2018; 2018:bcr-2017-221489. [PMID: 29627775 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Methotrexate toxicity in mucocutaneous areas is usually not associated with tissue eosinophilia. We describe a case of acute methotrexate-induced mucocutaneous erosions with interface dermatitis and eosinophils. A 76-year-old African-American woman with a history of bullous pemphigoid on methotrexate therapy presented with lower extremity cellulitis, developing oral and cutaneous erosions during hospitalization after daily dosage of methotrexate. Shallow circular cutaneous erosions were found on chest, abdomen and limbs. Laboratory results showed pancytopaenia and elevated liver function tests. Skin biopsy revealed irregular acanthotic epidermis with interface dermatitis, individual dyskeratotic cells and superficial perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate with numerous eosinophils. Methotrexate was stopped and leucovorin was administered, leading to improvement. The histopathological changes in acute mucocutaneous toxicity range from pauci-inflammatory erosions with dyskeratotic keratinocytes to interface dermatitis and infrequently seen eosinophils. This case exemplifies that interface dermatitis with a marked eosinophilic infiltrate can be found in the setting of acute mucocutaneous methotrexate toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis J Borda
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Andrew Ross
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Gabriel Villada
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Clara Milikowski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Wofford J, Patel M, Readinger A, Menter A. Widespread Dermal Ulcerations and Bullae. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2012; 25:155-8. [DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2012.11928814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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The Use of Methotrexate in Dermatology / Upotreba metotreksata u dermatologiji. SERBIAN JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY 2011. [DOI: 10.2478/v10249-011-0045-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Methotrexate is a cytotoxic antimetabolite agent and a folic acid antagonist. Except for its use in oncology and rheumatology, it is widely used in dermatology. The most important indications include severe forms of psoriasis, but also a wide range of autoimmune diseases and dermatoses with different etiology and pathophysiology such as: bullous pemphigoid, dermatomyositis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, sarcoidosis, T-cell lymphomas, Behcet’s disease, adult atopic eczema, scleroderma, Reiter’s syndrome and many others. For dermatological indications methotrexate is usually taken in low oral doses, 5-25 mg once a week. In certain diseases it can be applied to the lesion itself, or in the form of local preparations. Considering the fact that numerous drugs affect various metabolic phases of methotrexate and may increase its toxicity, it is of utmost importance to consider other prescribed drugs, especially certain antibiotics, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, antiepileptic drugs, retinoids, proton pump inhibitors and so on. If the selection of patients is correct, if drugs are taken regularly and laboratory monitoring is included, methotrexate is a truly efficient and safe drug that can be taken for months or years if necessary.
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Gürcan H, Razzaque Ahmed A. Analysis of current data on the use of methotrexate in the treatment of pemphigus and pemphigoid. Br J Dermatol 2009; 161:723-31. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09246.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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