english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2021 > Rituximab (Mabthera° or other brands) in pemphigus vulgaris: more patients in remission than with other immunosuppressants, lower exposure to corticosteroids, but a risk of cancer

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Rituximab (Mabthera° or other brands) in pemphigus vulgaris: more patients in remission than with other immunosuppressants, lower exposure to corticosteroids, but a risk of cancer

FEATURED REVIEW Rituximab was already authorised in the European Union for various inflammatory diseases and various types of cancer. It has now also been authorised for use in moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris, as add-on therapy with a tapering course of corticosteroid treatment.
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  •   OFFERS AN ADVANTAGE  In two clinical trials in patients with moderate to severe pemphigus vulgaris, a rare but sometimes severe disease, adding the immunosuppressant rituximab to corticosteroid therapy was more effective than corticosteroid therapy alone or corticosteroid therapy combined with the immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil at inducing sustained complete disease remission. Patients taking rituximab can be given a lower dose of corticosteroids, thus reducing the risk of developing the serious adverse effects of this treatment. The adverse effects of rituximab include infusion reactions, alopecia and an increased risk of cancer. 

©Prescrire 1 May 2021

Source: "Rituximab - Mabthera° or other brands. Pemphigus vulgaris: more patients in remission than with other immunosuppressants, lower exposure to corticosteroids, but a risk of cancer" Prescrire International 2021; 30 (226): 33-37. Subscribers only.

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