First-line Combination Therapy with Rituximab and Corticosteroids is Effective and Safe for Pemphigus

Pemphigus is a life-threatening autoimmune blistering disease. Systemic corticosteroids have been the mainstay and first-line treatment with success. However, long-term use of corticosteroids results in significant morbidities and mortalities. Much effort has been focused on searching alternative or corticosteroids-sparing agents. Rituximab (MabThera (TM); Roche, Basle, Switzerland), a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody has been shown to be effective for refractory pemphigus with acceptable side effects (1, 2). Herein, we reported our successful experience with rituximab and corticosteroids as first-line combination therapy for pemphigus.