Aslı Bilgic-Temel1, Züleyha Özgen2, Mehmet Harman3, Yelda Kapıcıoğlu4, Soner Uzun5. 1. Dermatology Clinic, Seydisehir State Hospital, Seydisehir, Konya, Turkey. 2. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. 3. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey. 4. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Inönü University, Malatya, Turkey. 5. Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: There is inadequate knowledge regarding rituximab (RTX) administration in autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs), disease prevalence, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes within pediatric populations due to the rarity of AIBDs affecting the pediatric age group. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety of RTX, and treatment outcomes in Turkish pediatric patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and to review the literature. METHODS: Five patients under 18 years of age and diagnosed with PV received RTX treatment and were identified in four dermatology departments of Turkey. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at the time of RTX therapy initiation was 15 years (range: 11-17 years), and the total duration of follow-up after RTX therapy was 42.6 months (range: 19-60 months). All patients showed a clinical response. At the last visit, complete remission off therapy was achieved in three patients. The remaining two patients achieved partial remission off therapy. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective case series of five pediatric patients showed that RTX treatment can be effective and safe for the treatment of recalcitrant PV in pediatric patients. With increasing evidence, RTX is a good treatment choice in adults and pediatric patients with pemphigus.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: There is inadequate knowledge regarding rituximab (RTX) administration in autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs), disease prevalence, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes within pediatric populations due to the rarity of AIBDs affecting the pediatric age group. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety of RTX, and treatment outcomes in Turkish pediatric patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and to review the literature. METHODS: Five patients under 18 years of age and diagnosed with PV received RTX treatment and were identified in four dermatology departments of Turkey. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at the time of RTX therapy initiation was 15 years (range: 11-17 years), and the total duration of follow-up after RTX therapy was 42.6 months (range: 19-60 months). All patients showed a clinical response. At the last visit, complete remission off therapy was achieved in three patients. The remaining two patients achieved partial remission off therapy. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective case series of five pediatric patients showed that RTX treatment can be effective and safe for the treatment of recalcitrant PV in pediatric patients. With increasing evidence, RTX is a good treatment choice in adults and pediatric patients with pemphigus.
Authors: Gastão Tenório Lins; Nathalia Lages Sarmento Barbosa; Eulina Maria Vieira de Abreu; Klinger Vagner Teixeira da Costa; Kelly Chrystine Barbosa Meneses; Rodrigo Neves Silva; Sonia Maria Soares Ferreira Journal: Autops Case Rep Date: 2021-04-30