Rituximab in pemphigus: prospects for personalized treatment

Rituximab as first-line therapy

The article addresses personalization of early and subsequent pemphigus treatment and is based on a conference presentation. The accessible excerpt reports findings from a study by the French Society of Dermatology's Bulles group published in 2017. In patients with moderate-to-severe pemphigus, rituximab combined with a short course of oral corticosteroids achieved complete remission at 2 years in 89% of cases versus 35% in the comparison group. The comparison group's treatment is not described in the accessible excerpt.

Personalizing subsequent treatment

According to the abstract attached to the link, some patients experience early relapses, and additional rituximab infusions may reduce relapse rates. Long-term efficacy is also described, with a substantial proportion of patients remaining in remission without treatment. Daratumumab and CAR-T cells are discussed as potential future treatment approaches for patients unresponsive to rituximab.

Limits of the available evidence

Only the opening of the article is accessible; the remainder requires registration. The excerpt and attached abstract do not provide sample sizes, repeat-infusion regimens, quantitative relapse results, or detailed safety data. The limitations of the studies themselves cannot be assessed.