Rituximab in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients: Treatment outcomes and safety profile - A 6-year tertiary center study
Background: Pemphigus and pemphigoid are autoimmune blistering disorders characterized by autoantibodies attacking skin and mucous membranes. Rituximab, targeting CD20-positive B cells, has emerged as a treatment option for resistant cases. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the treatment outcomes...
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Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Asian Journal of Medical Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://ajmsjournal.info/index.php/AJMS/article/view/4588 |
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| author | Sivakanth Gopakumar Nima Teresa Andrew Maria Jose Sanitha Kuriachan Jumi Jacob |
| author_facet | Sivakanth Gopakumar Nima Teresa Andrew Maria Jose Sanitha Kuriachan Jumi Jacob |
| author_sort | Sivakanth Gopakumar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Pemphigus and pemphigoid are autoimmune blistering disorders characterized by autoantibodies attacking skin and mucous membranes. Rituximab, targeting CD20-positive B cells, has emerged as a treatment option for resistant cases.
Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the treatment outcomes and safety profile of rituximab in patients with pemphigus and pemphigoid diseases treated at a tertiary care center over 6 years.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the outcomes of 23 patients treated with rituximab for pemphigus and pemphigoid diseases at a tertiary care hospital between February 2017 and February 2023. Data included demographics, disease characteristics, treatment specifics, and adverse reactions. Treatment response was evaluated using the Nikolsky sign, and the World Health Organization causality assessment scale classified adverse events. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS version 25.0.
Results: The study included 23 patients (52.2% male), with a mean age of 50.48 years. Majority of the patients were diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris (60.9%). Of the 23 patients, 17 (73.9%) achieved complete remission, while 6 (26.1%) attained partial remission. Most patients (43.5%) required two cycles of rituximab, with complete remission achieved after two cycles in 52.9% of those in remission. Patients with partial remission required more infusions, with 33.3% receiving three or more cycles. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were observed in 5 patients (21.7%), all of whom experienced mild, infusion-related symptoms, such as pruritus (8.7%) and dyspnea (4.3%). A significant association between gender and ADRs was found, with females more prone to ADRs (P=0.008). No severe reactions were reported, and all ADRs were resolved.
Conclusion: Rituximab shows high efficacy in inducing remission in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients, with a manageable safety profile. Individualized treatment regimens, including the number of cycles, may optimize outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0016b2186a9a4e39bed599ffe1a5ec20 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2467-9100 2091-0576 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Asian Journal of Medical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-0016b2186a9a4e39bed599ffe1a5ec202025-08-20T03:30:56ZengManipal College of Medical Sciences, PokharaAsian Journal of Medical Sciences2467-91002091-05762025-07-011678791https://doi.org/10.71152/ajms.v16i7.4588Rituximab in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients: Treatment outcomes and safety profile - A 6-year tertiary center studySivakanth Gopakumar 0https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8640-9623Nima Teresa Andrew 1https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6407-8910Maria Jose 2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5897-1067Sanitha Kuriachan 3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2711-9816Jumi Jacob 4https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0763-1975Postgraduate Resident, Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, India Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, India Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala, IndiaAssociate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Sree Uthradom Thirunal Academy of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Background: Pemphigus and pemphigoid are autoimmune blistering disorders characterized by autoantibodies attacking skin and mucous membranes. Rituximab, targeting CD20-positive B cells, has emerged as a treatment option for resistant cases. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the treatment outcomes and safety profile of rituximab in patients with pemphigus and pemphigoid diseases treated at a tertiary care center over 6 years. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the outcomes of 23 patients treated with rituximab for pemphigus and pemphigoid diseases at a tertiary care hospital between February 2017 and February 2023. Data included demographics, disease characteristics, treatment specifics, and adverse reactions. Treatment response was evaluated using the Nikolsky sign, and the World Health Organization causality assessment scale classified adverse events. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS version 25.0. Results: The study included 23 patients (52.2% male), with a mean age of 50.48 years. Majority of the patients were diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris (60.9%). Of the 23 patients, 17 (73.9%) achieved complete remission, while 6 (26.1%) attained partial remission. Most patients (43.5%) required two cycles of rituximab, with complete remission achieved after two cycles in 52.9% of those in remission. Patients with partial remission required more infusions, with 33.3% receiving three or more cycles. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were observed in 5 patients (21.7%), all of whom experienced mild, infusion-related symptoms, such as pruritus (8.7%) and dyspnea (4.3%). A significant association between gender and ADRs was found, with females more prone to ADRs (P=0.008). No severe reactions were reported, and all ADRs were resolved. Conclusion: Rituximab shows high efficacy in inducing remission in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients, with a manageable safety profile. Individualized treatment regimens, including the number of cycles, may optimize outcomes.https://ajmsjournal.info/index.php/AJMS/article/view/4588cd20; adverse drug reactions; autoimmune disorders; remission; dermatology; blistering diseases |
| spellingShingle | Sivakanth Gopakumar Nima Teresa Andrew Maria Jose Sanitha Kuriachan Jumi Jacob Rituximab in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients: Treatment outcomes and safety profile - A 6-year tertiary center study Asian Journal of Medical Sciences cd20; adverse drug reactions; autoimmune disorders; remission; dermatology; blistering diseases |
| title | Rituximab in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients: Treatment outcomes and safety profile - A 6-year tertiary center study |
| title_full | Rituximab in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients: Treatment outcomes and safety profile - A 6-year tertiary center study |
| title_fullStr | Rituximab in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients: Treatment outcomes and safety profile - A 6-year tertiary center study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rituximab in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients: Treatment outcomes and safety profile - A 6-year tertiary center study |
| title_short | Rituximab in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients: Treatment outcomes and safety profile - A 6-year tertiary center study |
| title_sort | rituximab in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients treatment outcomes and safety profile a 6 year tertiary center study |
| topic | cd20; adverse drug reactions; autoimmune disorders; remission; dermatology; blistering diseases |
| url | https://ajmsjournal.info/index.php/AJMS/article/view/4588 |
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