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Medical Treatment

Long-term results of rituximab–intravenous immunoglobulin combination therapy in patients with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita resistant to conventional therapy

, , , , , , & show all
Pages 50-54 | Received 08 Feb 2016, Accepted 12 Apr 2016, Published online: 10 May 2016
 

Abstract

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a rare subepidermal bullous disease. Long-term remission in this disease is difficult using current treatments, unlike that in patients with other autoimmune bullous diseases.

Objective: We retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness and side effects of rituximab–intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) combination treatment in five patients with EBA resistant to conventional treatment.

Patients and methods: Rituximab (375 mg/m2) was administered for four consecutive weeks to four patients, and their treatment continued with IVIg at a dose of 2 g/kg/month. One patient received two cycles of rituximab for three consecutive weeks, IVIg in the fourth week, followed by monthly IVIg administrations as in the other patients.

Results: The total number of IVIg therapy cycles ranged from 10 to 26 (mean 19.4). Mean skin involvement, mucosal involvement, and disease severity scores decreased after a mean follow-up of 22.6 months (range, 10–28 months). In an analysis performed during months 24–28, the number of CD19-positive B cells was found to be below the normal reference range in four patients.

Limitations: This was a retrospective study with a limited number of patients.

Conclusion: Rituximab–IVIg combination treatment seems to be effective and safe for treating patients with EBA resistant to conventional treatments.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

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