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Porro AM, Seque CA, Ferreira MCC, Enokihara MMSES. Pemphigus vulgaris. An Bras Dermatol 2019; 94:264-278. [PMID: 31365654 PMCID: PMC6668932 DOI: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20199011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic autoimmune bullous dermatosis that results from the production of autoantibodies against desmogleins 1 and 3. It is the most frequent and most severe form of pemphigus, occurring universally, usually between 40 and 60 years of age. It usually begins with blisters and erosions on the oral mucosa, followed by lesions on other mucous membranes and flaccid blisters on the skin, which can be disseminated. There is a clinical variant, pemphigus vegetans, which is characterized by the presence of vegetating lesions in the large folds of the skin. Clinical suspicion can be confirmed by cytological examination, histopathological examination, and direct and indirect immunofluorescence tests. The treatment is performed with systemic corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs may be associated, among them azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil. More severe cases may benefit from corticosteroids in the form of intravenous pulse therapy, and recent studies have shown a beneficial effect of rituximab, an anti-CD20 immunobiological drug. It is a chronic disease with mortality around 10%, and septicemia is the main cause of death. Patients need long-term and multidisciplinary follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Maria Porro
- Department of Dermatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina,
Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Arai Seque
- Department of Dermatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina,
Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Didona D, Maglie R, Eming R, Hertl M. Pemphigus: Current and Future Therapeutic Strategies. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1418. [PMID: 31293582 PMCID: PMC6603181 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pemphigus encompasses a heterogeneous group of autoimmune blistering diseases, which affect both mucous membranes and the skin. The disease usually runs a chronic-relapsing course, with a potentially devastating impact on the patients' quality of life. Pemphigus pathogenesis is related to IgG autoantibodies targeting various adhesion molecules in the epidermis, including desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and 3, major components of desmosomes. The pathogenic relevance of such autoantibodies has been largely demonstrated experimentally. IgG autoantibody binding to Dsg results in loss of epidermal keratinocyte adhesion, a phenomenon referred to as acantholysis. This in turn causes intra-epidermal blistering and the clinical appearance of flaccid blisters and erosions at involved sites. Since the advent of glucocorticoids, the overall prognosis of pemphigus has largely improved. However, mortality persists elevated, since long-term use of high dose corticosteroids and adjuvant steroid-sparing immunosuppressants portend a high risk of serious adverse events, especially infections. Recently, rituximab, a chimeric anti CD20 monoclonal antibody which induces B-cell depletion, has been shown to improve patients' survival, as early rituximab use results in higher disease remission rates, long term clinical response and faster prednisone tapering compared to conventional immunosuppressive therapies, leading to its approval as a first line therapy in pemphigus. Other anti B-cell therapies targeting B-cell receptor or downstream molecules are currently tried in clinical studies. More intriguingly, a preliminary study in a preclinical mouse model of pemphigus has shown promise regarding future therapeutic application of Chimeric Autoantibody Receptor T-cells engineered using Dsg domains to selectively target autoreactive B-cells. Conversely, previous studies from our group have demonstrated that B-cell depletion in pemphigus resulted in secondary impairment of T-cell function; this may account for the observed long-term remission following B-cell recovery in rituximab treated patients. Likewise, our data support the critical role of Dsg-specific T-cell clones in orchestrating the inflammatory response and B-cell activation in pemphigus. Monitoring autoreactive T-cells in patients may indeed provide further information on the role of these cells, and would be the starting point for designating therapies aimed at restoring the lost immune tolerance against Dsg. The present review focuses on current advances, unmet challenges and future perspectives of pemphigus management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Didona
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Roberto Maglie
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.,Surgery and Translational Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Section of Dermatology, Departement of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rüdiger Eming
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hertl
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
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Porro AM, Hans Filho G, Santi CG. Consensus on the treatment of autoimmune bullous dermatoses: pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus - Brazilian Society of Dermatology. An Bras Dermatol 2019; 94:20-32. [PMID: 31166407 PMCID: PMC6544031 DOI: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.2019940206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pemphigus are intraepidermal autoimmune bullous dermatoses that occur with
lesions on the skin and / or mucous membranes. The most frequent types are
pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus (classic and endemic). This consensus
aims to present a complete and updated review of the treatment of these two more
frequent forms of pemphigus, based on the literature and the personal experience
of the authors. In moderate and severe cases of pemphigus vulgaris and
foliaceus, systemic corticosteroid therapy (prednisone or prednisolone) is the
treatment of choice. Adjuvant drugs, usually immunosuppressive drugs
(azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide) may be
prescribed as corticosteroid sparers in refractory cases or with
contraindications to corticosteroids to minimize side effects. In severe and
nonresponsive cases, corticosteroids in the form of intravenous pulse therapy,
immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis / immunoadsorption can be administered.
Immunobiological drugs, particularly rituximab, appear as a promising
alternative. For milder cases, smaller doses of oral corticosteroid, dapsone and
topical corticosteroids are options. At the end flowcharts are presented as
suggestions for a therapeutic approach for patients with pemphigus vulgaris and
pemphigus foliaceus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Maria Porro
- Department of Dermatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Günter Hans Filho
- Dermatology Service, Hospital Universitário Maria Aparecida Pedrossian, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Claudia Giuli Santi
- Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Pemphigus diseases are a heterogeneous group of potentially life-threatening autoimmune bullous disorders. Therefore, rapidly acting and effective therapeutic approaches are essential. OBJECTIVES In this review, current therapeutic options in line with available guidelines are presented and new therapeutic approaches are discussed. METHODS A literature search was performed using PubMed. RESULTS Treatment of pemphigus is based on systemic glucocorticosteroids, frequently combined with potentially corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil/mycophenolic acid. Recently, the impressive efficacy of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab has been shown in a prospective randomized trial. In severe or treatment-refractory cases, immunoadsorption or high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) are recommended. Adjuvant immunoadsorption also seems to be useful within the first 8-12 weeks of therapy in patients with very high autoantibody levels. A variety of new therapeutic approaches is currently evaluated in phase IIa studies. CONCLUSION Therapy of pemphigus has been greatly improved by the employment of rituximab. The use of glucocorticosteroids, associated with a high number of adverse events and elevated mortality, could be reduced by the additional use of rituximab. After approval of rituximab for the treatment of pemphigus by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2018, licensing in Europe is expected in 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- N van Beek
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland.
| | - D Zillikens
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland
| | - E Schmidt
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland.,Lübecker Institut für Experimentelle Dermatologie (LIED), Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck, Deutschland
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Abstract
Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a life-threatening disease belonging to the pemphigus group of autoimmune intra-epidermal bullous diseases of the skin and mucosae. The therapeutic management of PV remains challenging and, in some cases, conventional therapy is not adequate to induce clinical remission. The cornerstone of PV treatment remains systemic corticosteroids. Although very effective, long-term corticosteroid administration is characterized by substantial adverse effects. Corticosteroid-sparing adjuvant therapies have been employed in the treatment of PV, aiming to reduce the necessary cumulative dose of corticosteroids. Specifically, immunosuppressive agents such as azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil are widely used in PV. More recently, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins, immunoadsorption, and rituximab have been established as additional successful therapeutic options. This review covers both conventional and emerging therapies in PV. In addition, it sheds light on potential future treatment strategies for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalaf Kridin
- Department of Dermatology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
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Hashimoto T, Tsuruta D, Koga H, Fukuda S, Ohyama B, Komai A, Karashima T, Ohata C, Teye K, Ishii N. Summary of results of serological tests and diagnoses for 4774 cases of various autoimmune bullous diseases consulted to Kurume University. Br J Dermatol 2016; 175:953-965. [DOI: 10.1111/bjd.14692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Hashimoto
- Department of Dermatology; Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology; Kurume Fukuoka 830-0011 Japan
| | - D. Tsuruta
- Department of Dermatology; Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology; Kurume Fukuoka 830-0011 Japan
| | - H. Koga
- Department of Dermatology; Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology; Kurume Fukuoka 830-0011 Japan
| | - S. Fukuda
- Department of Dermatology; Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology; Kurume Fukuoka 830-0011 Japan
| | - B. Ohyama
- Department of Dermatology; Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology; Kurume Fukuoka 830-0011 Japan
| | - A. Komai
- Department of Dermatology; Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology; Kurume Fukuoka 830-0011 Japan
| | - T. Karashima
- Department of Dermatology; Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology; Kurume Fukuoka 830-0011 Japan
| | - C. Ohata
- Department of Dermatology; Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology; Kurume Fukuoka 830-0011 Japan
| | - K. Teye
- Department of Dermatology; Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology; Kurume Fukuoka 830-0011 Japan
| | - N. Ishii
- Department of Dermatology; Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology; Kurume Fukuoka 830-0011 Japan
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Kim J, Chan JJ. Cyclophosphamide in dermatology. Australas J Dermatol 2016; 58:5-17. [PMID: 26806212 DOI: 10.1111/ajd.12406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapeutic agent which was first discovered in experimental tumours in rats, and it has since been widely used to treat malignancies and severe manifestations of various auto-immune diseases. High-dose chemotherapy and continuous daily oral regimens are associated with significant toxicity profiles, but i.v. pulsed regimens have lowered the rates of adverse effects in rheumatological studies. Cyclophosphamide has been shown to be useful in the treatment of severe autoimmune conditions due to its powerful immunosuppressive ability; however, it remains a relatively underused modality in dermatology. This article reviews the current literature on cyclophosphamide and its clinical applications in dermatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Kim
- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jonathan J Chan
- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI: a systematic review of the treatment of mucocutaneous pemphigus vulgaris. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2015; 120:132-42.e61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2015.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Treatment of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Dermatol 2014; 15:503-15. [PMID: 25403548 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-014-0101-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No optimal therapeutic approach has been established for pemphigus. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy, steroid-sparing effect, and safety of available treatment modalities. METHODS PubMed, LILACS (up to July 2014), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, issue 5 of 12, May 2014), and the ClinicalTrials.gov registry and reference lists were searched for randomized controlled trials of any treatment modality for pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus. Data were extracted independently by two authors using predefined appraisal criteria and data fields. RESULTS A total of 20 studies (826 participants) were included. Most were small and open-labeled; all but seven were not concealed for allocation. Owing to the variability in intervention arms, five meta-analyses were performed, each pooling the data of two to three trials. Studies excluded from the meta-analyses were described quantitatively. Azathioprine had a steroid-sparing effect but did not increase remission rate. Mycophenolate mofetil induced sustained remission more quickly than did placebo and delayed time to relapse but did not have a steroid-sparing effect or favorable remission rate. Cyclophosphamide had a steroid-sparing effect, though less than azathioprine, but did not affect the remission rate or time-to-disease control. Intravenous immunoglobulin had more favorable short-term efficacy than did placebo. Topical epidermal growth factor hastened lesion healing. CONCLUSIONS Although some of the available therapeutic modalities for pemphigus are beneficial in terms of steroid-sparing, hastening response, or delaying relapse, none were found to increase the complete response rate compared with glucocorticoids alone, currently the mainstay of treatment. Multicenter randomized controlled trials and case control studies with uniform outcome measures are warranted.
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