The use of chlorambucil with prednisone in the treatment of pemphigus
Article
Shah, N, Green, AR, Elgart, GW et al. (2000). The use of chlorambucil with prednisone in the treatment of pemphigus
. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY, 42(1 I), 85-88. 10.1016/S0190-9622(00)90014-8
Shah, N, Green, AR, Elgart, GW et al. (2000). The use of chlorambucil with prednisone in the treatment of pemphigus
. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY, 42(1 I), 85-88. 10.1016/S0190-9622(00)90014-8
Background: Chlorambucil is an alkylating agent that preferentially affects B cells over T cells and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid. Objective: Our purpose was to determine whether chlorambucil is effective in the treatment of pemphigus. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 9 patients with pemphigus (7 with pemphigus vulgaris and 2 with pemphigus foliaceus) in whom therapy with other immunosuppressive regimens failed and who were subsequently treated with chlorambucil and prednisone. Results: There was clinical improvement in 6 of 9 patients and a decrease in indirect immunofluoresent antibody titers in 3 of the 5 patients who had titers drawn before and after treatment with chlorambucil. Three of the 9 patients failed treatment with chlorambucil, as evidenced by lack of improvement of lesions. Conclusion: Chlorambucil may be a potential adjuvant therapeutic approach with steroid-sparing effects in patients with pemphigus who have failed treatment with other immunosuppressive regimens.
