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Diagnosis and Management of Pemphigus: recommendations by an International
Panel of Experts
Dedee F. Murrell, MA, BMBCh, MD, FACD, Sandra Peña, MD, Pascal Joly, MD,
PhD, Branka Marinovic, MD, PhD, Takashi Hashimoto, MD, PhD, Luis A. Diaz, MD,
Animesh A. Sinha, MD, PhD, Aimee S. Payne, MD, PhD, Maryam Daneshpazhooh,
MD, Rüdiger Eming, MD, Marcel F. Jonkman, MD, PhD, Daniel Mimouni, MD, Luca
Borradori, MD, Soo-Chan Kim, MD, PhD, Jun Yamagami, MD, PhD, Julia S. Lehman,
MD, Marwah Adly Saleh, MD, PhD, Donna A. Culton, MD, PhD, Annette Czernik,
MD, John J. Zone, MD, David Fivenson, MD, Hideyuki Ujiie, MD, PhD, Katarzyna
Wozniak, MD, PhD, Ayşe Akman-Karakaş, MD, Philippe Bernard, MD, PhD, Neil
J. Korman, MD, PhD, Frédéric Caux, MD, PhD, Kossara Drenovska, MD, PhD,
Catherine Prost-Squarcioni, MD, PhD, Snejina Vassileva, MD, PhD, Ron J. Feldman,
MD, PhD, Adela Rambi Cardones, MD, Johann Bauer, MD, Dimitrios Ioannides, MD,
PhD, Hana Jedlickova, MD, PhD, Francis Palisson, MD, Aikaterini Patsatsi, MD,
PhD, Soner Uzun, MD, Savas Yayli, MD, Detlef Zillikens, MD, Masayuki Amagai, MD,
PhD, Michael Hertl, MD, Enno Schmidt, MD, PhD, Valeria Aoki, MD, PhD, Sergei A.
Grando, MD, PhD, DSc, Hiroshi Shimizu, MD, PhD, Sharon Baum, MD, Guiseppe
Cianchini, MD, Claudio Feliciani, MD, Pilar Iranzo, MD, Jose M. Mascaró, Jr., MD,
Cezary Kowalewski, MD, Russell Hall, MD, Richard Groves, MD, Karen E. Harman,
MB, BChir, DM, FRCP, M. Peter Marinkovich, MD, Emanual Maverakis, MD, Victoria
P. Werth, MD
PII: S0190-9622(18)30207-X
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.02.021
Reference: YMJD 12328
To appear in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Received Date: 23 March 2017
Revised Date: 18 January 2018
Accepted Date: 3 February 2018
Please cite this article as: Murrell DF, Peña S, Joly P, Marinovic B, Hashimoto T, Diaz LA, Sinha AA,
Payne AS, Daneshpazhooh M, Eming R, Jonkman MF, Mimouni D, Borradori L, Kim S-C, Yamagami
J, Lehman JS, Saleh MA, Culton DA, Czernik A, Zone JJ, Fivenson D, Ujiie H, Wozniak K, Akman-
Karakaş A, Bernard P, Korman NJ, Caux F, Drenovska K, Prost-Squarcioni C, Vassileva S, Feldman RJ,
Cardones AR, Bauer J, Ioannides D, Jedlickova H, Palisson F, Patsatsi A, Uzun S, Yayli S, Zillikens D,
Amagai M, Hertl M, Schmidt E, Aoki V, Grando SA, Shimizu H, Baum S, Cianchini G, Feliciani C, Iranzo
P, Mascaró Jr. JM, Kowalewski C, Hall R, Groves R, Harman KE, Marinkovich MP, Maverakis E, Werth
VP, Diagnosis and Management of Pemphigus: recommendations by an International Panel of Experts,
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2018), doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.02.021.
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Diagnosis and Management of Pemphigus: recommendations by an International Panel of Experts. 1
Dedee F. Murrell
1
, MA, BMBCh, MD, FACD, Sandra Peña
2,3
, MD, Pascal Joly
4
, MD, PhD, Branka Marinovic
5
, 2
MD, PhD, Takashi Hashimoto
6
, MD, PhD, Luis A. Diaz
7
, MD, Animesh A. Sinha
8
, MD, PhD, Aimee S.Payne
3
, 3
MD, PhD, Maryam Daneshpazhooh
9
, MD, Rüdiger Eming
10
, MD, Marcel F. Jonkman
11
, MD, PhD, Daniel 4
Mimouni
12
, MD, Luca Borradori
13
, MD, Soo-Chan Kim
14
, MD, PhD, Jun Yamagami
15
, MD, PhD, Julia S. 5
Lehman
16
, MD, Marwah Adly Saleh
17
, MD, PhD, Donna A. Culton
7
, MD, PhD, Annette Czernik
18
, MD, John J. 6
Zone
19
, MD, David Fivenson
20
, MD, Hideyuki Ujiie
21
, MD, PhD, Katarzyna Wozniak
22
, MD, PhD, Ayşe 7
Akman-Karakaş
23
, MD, Philippe Bernard
24
, MD, PhD, Neil J. Korman
25
, MD, PhD, Frédéric Caux
26
, MD, PhD, 8
Kossara Drenovska
27
, MD, PhD, Catherine Prost-Squarcioni
28
, MD, PhD, Snejina Vassileva
27
, MD, PhD, Ron J. 9
Feldman
29
, MD, PhD, Adela Rambi Cardones
30
, MD, Johann Bauer
31
, MD, Dimitrios Ioannides
32
, MD, PhD, 10
Hana Jedlickova
33
, MD, PhD, Francis Palisson
34
, MD, Aikaterini Patsatsi
35
, MD, PhD, Soner Uzun
23
, MD, 11
Savas Yayli
36
, MD, Detlef Zillikens
37
, MD, Masayuki Amagai
15
, MD, PhD, Michael Hertl
38
, MD, Enno 12
Schmidt
37
, MD, PhD, Valeria Aoki
39
, MD, PhD, Sergei A. Grando
40
, MD, PhD, DSc, Hiroshi Shimizu
21
, MD, 13
PhD, Sharon Baum
41
, MD, Guiseppe Cianchini
42
, MD, Claudio Feliciani
43
, MD, Pilar Iranzo
44
, MD, Jose M. 14
Mascaró Jr.
44
, MD, Cezary Kowalewski
22
, MD, Russell Hall
30
, MD, Richard Groves
45
, MD, Karen E. Harman
45
, 15
MB, BChir, DM, FRCP, M. Peter Marinkovich
46
, MD, Emanual Maverakis
47
, MD and Victoria P. Werth
2,3
, MD 16
17
1
Department of Dermatology at St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 18
2
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 19
3
Department of Dermatology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 20
USA. 21
4
Department of Dermatology, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France 22
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5
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center and School of Medicine, 23
Zagreb, Croatia. 24
6
Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology, Kurume, Japan 25
7
Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
26
8
Department of Dermatology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 27
Buffalo, NY, USA.
28
9
Department of Dermatology, Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Tehran University of Medical 29
Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
30
10
Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, 31
Germany.
32
11
University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. 33
12
Department of Dermatology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus,, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler School of 34
Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv. Israel 35
13
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
36
14
Department of Dermatology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 37
Korea
38
15
Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
39
16
Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
40
17
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
41
18
Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
42
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19
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. 43
20
St Joseph Mercy Health System, Department of Dermatology, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
44
21
Department of Dermatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
45
22
Department of Dermatology and Immunodermatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
46
23
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
47
24
Department of Dermatology, Reims University Hospital, University of Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France.
48
25
Department of Dermatology and the Murdough Family Center for Psoriasis, University Hospitals Case Medical 49
Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
50
26
Department of Dermatology, Avicenne Hospital, University Paris 13, Bobigny, France.
51
27
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical Faculty, University of Medicine, Sofia, Bulgaria
52
28
Department of Dermatology, Department of Histology, Reference Center for Autoimmune Bullous Diseases, 53
Avicenne Hospital, University Paris 13, Bobigny, France.
54
29
Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
55
30
Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
56
31
Division of Molecular Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 57
Salzburg, Austria. 58
32
First Department of Dermatology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
59
33
Department of Dermatovenereology, St. Anna University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
60
34
Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile.
61
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35
Second Dermatology Department, Aristotle University School of Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, 62
Thessaloniki, Greece. 63
36
Dermatology Department, School of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University , Trabzon , Turkey.
64
37
Department of Dermatology, University of Lubeck, Lubeck, Germany.
65
38
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Marburg, Germany.
66
39
Departamento de Dermatologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 04038, Brazil
67
40
Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, California; Department of Biological Chemistry 68
Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, California; Research Institute, Institute for Immunology, 69
University of California, Irvine, California.
70
41
Sheba Medical Center, Dermatology Department, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
71
42
Department of Immunodermatology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Laboratory of 72
Molecular and Cell Biology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
73
43
Clinica Dermatologica, Universita’ Di Parma, Italy 74
44
Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 75
45
University Hospitals Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester. LE1 5WW. United 76
Kingdom.
77
46
Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Center for Clinical 78
Sciences Research, and Division of Dermatology, Department of Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Healthcare System, 79
Palo Alto, California.
80
47
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
81
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82
Address correspondence to: 83
Dedee F. Murrell, MA, BMBCh, MD, FACD 84
Department of Dermatology 85
St George Hospital 86
Gray Street, Kogarah, Sydney, NSW 2217,Australia 87
E-Mail d.murrell @ unsw.edu.au 88
89
Victoria P. Werth, MD 90
Professor of Dermatology and Medicine, Department of Dermatology 91
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 92
Tel.: 215-615-2940, Fax: 866-755-0625, Email: werth@mail.med.upenn.edu. 93
94
Funding: This work is partially supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans Health 95
Administration, Office of Research and Development, Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development) 96
(VPW). Dr. Pena’s clinical research is funded by an NIH training grant. 97
98
No human subjects were used in the study and therefore IRB approval was not necessary. 99
100
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Conflict of Interest: Dr.Murrell is an investigator and speaker for Roche. She is an investigator and on an 101
advisory board for Principia Biopharma; and is on an advisory board for Immune Pharmaceuticals and Lilly. Dr. 102
Joly is a consultant for Roche, Principia Biopharma , Lilly and Biogen. Dr. Payne is a consultant for Syntimmune 103
and TG Therapeutics and receives grants Sanofi. Dr. Eming is an investigator for both Biotest AG and Fresenius 104
Medical Care and is a speaker for Biotest AG and Novartis. Dr. Jonkman is a monitor for Roche. Dr. Prost is an 105
investigator for Roche. Dr. Yayli is an investigator for Roche. Dr. Zillikens is on the advisory board for Roche 106
and a consultant for Euroimmun,UCB, Fresenius, Almirall, and oGEN-x. Dr. Zillikens has received grants and is 107
a speaker for Euroimmun, Miltenyi/Biogen, Fresenius/Roche, Biotest AG, Almirall, and Dompe/Janssen. Dr. 108
Amagai receives speaker honoraria and grants from Nihon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, and reseach support from 109
Medical & Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd. Dr. Hertl is on an advisory board for Roche, Biogen, and Novartis 110
and has received grants from Biotest and Fresenius; and is a speaker for Janssen. Dr. Schmidt has received grants 111
from Euroimmun and Fresenius; and is a speaker for Biotest and Fresenius. Dr. Hall is a consultant for Stieffel at 112
GSK Company, Eli Lilly, Syntimmune, and Immune Sciences and is on the DSM board for Roche and has 113
received grants from Immune Sciences. Dr. Peña, Dr. Marinovic, Dr. Hashimoto, Dr. Diaz, Dr. Sinha, Dr. 114
Daneshpazhooh, Dr. Mimouni, Dr. Borradori, Dr. Kim, Dr. Yamagami, Dr. Lehman, Dr. Saleh, Dr. Culton, Dr. 115
Czernik, Dr. Zone, Dr. Fivenson, Dr. Ujiie, Dr. Wozniak, Dr. Akman-Karakaş, Dr. Bernard, Dr. Korman, Dr. 116
Caux, Dr. Drenovska, Dr. Vassileva, Dr. Feldman, Dr. Cardones, Dr. Bauer, Dr. Ioannides, Dr. Jedlickova, Dr. 117
Palisson, Dr. Patsatsi, Dr. Uzun, Dr. Aoki, Dr. Grando, Dr. Shimizu, Dr. Baum, Dr. Cianchini, Dr. Feliciani, Dr. 118
Iranzo, Dr. Mascaró Jr., Dr. Kowalewski, Dr. Groves, Dr. Harman, Dr. Marinkovich, Dr. Maverakis, and Dr. 119
Werth have no conflict of interest to declare. 120
121
Keywords: pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, treatment, guidelines, consensus, CD20 inhibitor 122
123
Word Count: Abstract: 208, Text: 2780, References: 12, Figures: 2, Tables: 2 124
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Abstract
125
Background: Several European countries recently developed international diagnostic and management guidelines 126
for pemphigus, which have been instrumental in the standardization of pemphigus management, 127
Objective:
We now present results from a subsequent Delphi consensus to broaden the generalizability of 128
recommendations. 129
Methods: A preliminary survey, based on the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) and the European Academy 130
of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) guidelines, was sent to a panel of international experts to determine 131
the level of consensus. The results were discussed at the International Bullous Diseases Consensus Group in 132
March 2016 during the annual American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) conference. A second survey was sent 133
following the meeting to more experts to achieve greater international consensus. 134
Results: The 39 experts participated in the first round of the Delphi-survey while 54 from 21 countries completed 135
the second round. The number of statements in the survey was reduced from 175 topics in Delphi I to 24 topics in 136
Delphi II based on
Delphi results and meeting discussion.
137
Limitations
:
Each recommendation represents the majority opinion and therefore may not reflect all possible 138
treatment options available.
139
Conclusions: We present here the recommendations resulting from this Delphi process. This international 140
consensus includes intravenous CD20 inhibitors as a first line therapy option for moderate to severe pemphigus. 141
142
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Introduction
143
Pemphigus encompasses a spectrum of rare mucocutaneous bullous diseases that are autoimmune in
144
origin. Due to the rarity of these diseases, it can take patients months before being diagnosed with
145
pemphigus, during which time many are treated for other blistering diseases (1, 2). Even once the
146
diagnosis is made, treatment regimens can vary greatly as there is no defined standard of care due to the
147
paucity of large-scale clinical trials evaluating their efficacy (1).
148
There have been recent national attempts to standardize the diagnosis and management of pemphigus
149
from individual countries, including the UK, France, Japan, and Germany (3- 6). However, it was the
150
European Dermatology Forum (EDF) and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
151
(EADV), which passed the first international guidelines for the management of pemphigus (7). While
152
these efforts have been instrumental in the standardization of pemphigus management, the lack of
153
involvement from countries outside of Europe may render these guidelines non-generalizable to other
154
countries.
155
In an attempt to garner greater international consensus, the International Bullous Diseases Consensus
156
Group, convened by Dr. Dedee Murrell and Dr. Victoria Werth, met in March 2016 at the annual
157
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) conference in Washington D.C. with the goal of developing
158
international consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pemphigus vulgaris and
159
pemphigus foliaceus. Prior to the meeting, members of the group, comprised of blistering disease
160
experts, completed a Delphi survey based on the EDF/EADV guidelines. Some of the tests and
161
treatments mentioned may not be available or officially registered in all countries and have been
162
assessed based on their scientific usefulness rather than regulation status. The Delphi technique is a
163
consensus-building process in which questionnaires are given to a group of experts in a series of rounds
164
to ultimately achieve opinion convergence (8). The results of the questionnaire were discussed in the
165
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meeting and a follow-up survey was sent out to further consensus.
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Methods
167
The first round of surveys was delivered via email in February 2016 and completed by 39 expert
168
participants. The results of the survey were tallied and delivered to the group. A median score of 70
169
percent or greater per question was used as the consensus threshold for agreement, while a median score
170
of 30 or lower was established as the consensus threshold for disagreement. Statements that achieved
171
median scores between 30 and 70 were determined as having reached no consensus among participants
172
and discussed during the meeting. Afterwards, these statements were revised according to the opinion of
173
the participants and sent out and completed by 54 individuals in the subsequent round. The survey was
174
designed and distributed using RedCAP software.
175
176
Initial Clinical Presentation of Pemphigus
177
The initial evaluation of suspected pemphigus should seek to determine the signs or symptoms present
178
that would corroborate the diagnosis of pemphigus, as well as to screen for possible comorbidities.
179
Major Objectives
180
• To verify the diagnosis of pemphigus
181
• To evaluate possible risk factors, severity factors and comorbidities
182
• To specify the type of initial involvement (skin, mucosa) and its extent
183
• To evaluate the prognosis depending on the age of the patient and general condition (Karnovsky
184
score, optional)
185
• There are two clinical scores, Pemphigus Disease and Area Index (PDAI) and/or Autoimmune
186
Bullous Skin Intensity and Severity Score (ABSIS), which are currently being used as clinical
187
outcome parameters and in clinical trials for the evaluation of the extent and activity of pemphigus.
188
Presently, there are no agreed upon cutoff values to define mild, moderate, or severe disease for
189
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either the PDAI or the ABSIS; however, there have been two studies which have attempted to
190
define these values. In one multicenter study based in Japan, researchers evaluated both newly
191
diagnosed as well as relapsing pemphigus patients and determined PDAI cutoff values of 0-8 for
192
mild, 9-24 for moderate, and ≥25 for severe disease (9). Another multicenter study, conducted
193
internationally, assessed only patients with newly diagnosed pemphigus and determined cut-off
194
values of 15 and 45 for PDAI and 17 and 53 for ABSIS, to distinguish between mild, moderate and
195
severe (significant and extensive) forms of pemphigus (10). While these studies greatly add to our
196
understanding of disease activity scoring, it is premature to definitively state cutoff values presently.
197
Specialists Involved
198
The management of patients with pemphigus is the responsibility of dermatologists with experience
199
in treating bullous diseases. If extensive, the initial management of the disease usually requires
200
hospitalization until clinical control of the bullous eruption is achieved. In limited forms of
201
pemphigus, additional diagnostic examinations and clinical monitoring can be done in either an
202
inpatient or outpatient setting.
203
The overall disease management is coordinated by the dermatologist with the cooperation of the
204
referring dermatologist/family practitioner, the general physician and other medical specialists and
205
hospital doctors from the center of reference and/or geographical area (if a reference center exists in
206
the particular country).
207
Rarely, the disease can occur during childhood, and children should be managed by a
208
multidisciplinary team, jointly by a reference center, a pediatric dermatology department or a
209
pediatrician.
210
Other health professionals who may serve as supportive adjuncts are as follows:
211
• The referring dermatologist
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• The patient’s primary care provider to manage comorbidities and monitor for treatment side-
213
effects
214
• Other specialists whose expertise is necessary, based on comorbidities and/or mucosal locations of
215
pemphigus, such as internists, cardiologists, stomatologists, ophthalmologists,
216
otorhinolaryngologists, gastroenterologists, gynecologists, urologists, proctologists,
217
rheumatologists, oncologists, dieticians, physiotherapists and psychologists
218
• Home health nurses, where available, in selected cases in which home care is required and
219
applicable, e.g. elderly or disabled patients with residual mucosal or skin lesions following
220
hospitalization
221
• Nurse specialist/practitioner to aid in the management of stable patients, making phone calls, or
222
changing wound dressings.
223
Diagnosis
224
The diagnosis of pemphigus is based on the following criteria:
225
• Clinical presentation
226
• Histopathology
227
• Direct immunofluorescence microscopy (DIF) of perilesional skin
228
• Serological detection of serum autoantibodies against epithelial cell surface by indirect
229
immunofluorescence microscopy (IIF) and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
230
• Diagnosis requires clinical presentation and histopathology that are consistent with pemphigus
231
and either a positive DIF or serological detection of autoantibodies against epithelial cell surface
232
antigens.
233
Clinical Evaluation
234
Medical History
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• Timing of symptoms
236
• Functional symptoms, i.e. pain, pruritus, intensity of dysphagia, ocular and ENT symptoms,
237
dysuria, anogenital problems and weight loss
238
• Contraindications of systemic corticosteroid treatment and developing complications of
239
immunosuppressive treatments
240
• Contraception and plans for pregnancy in women of child bearing potential
241
• Medication history with special attention to causes of drug-induced pemphigus, including D-
242
penicillamine, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and
243
cephalosporins,
244
• Psychological tolerance of possible side-effects due to treatment, especially corticosteroids
245
• Quality of life impact due to disease burden
246
Physical examination
247
• Extent of skin and mucosal lesions and the degree of disease damage
248
• Patient’s overall state of health and comorbidities:
249
General condition (Karnovsky index)
250
Weight
251
Vital signs, including blood pressure and temperature
252
Comorbidities (neoplastic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, etc.)
253
254
The changes from the European guidelines are summarized in the supplementary material.
255
The laboratory work up is delineated in Table 1.
256
Therapeutic Management
257
Objectives
258
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• To promotehealing of blisters and erosions
259
• To improve functional status
260
• To prevent/strictly limit development of new blisters and erosions
261
• To improve the quality of life
262
• To limit common side-effects usually associated with long-term immunosuppressive or
263
corticosteroid treatment
264
First-Line Treatment
265
The dosing of specific medications is delineated in Table 2.
266
• Corticosteroids
267
• Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies
268
Corticosteroid-Sparing Agents
269
First-Line Corticosteroid-Sparing Agents
270
• Azathioprine
271
• Mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid
272
Other Corticosteroid-Sparing Agents
273
• Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG)
274
• Immunoadsorption
275
• Cyclophosphamide
276
Supportive treatment that may be recommended:
277
• Proper dental care
278
• Intralesional injections of corticosteroids (triamcinolone acetonide) for isolated lesions.
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• Topical treatment with potent corticosteroids (clobetasol propionate) or calcineurin inhibitors
280
applied directly to the lesions, and oral topical corticosteroids (such as triamcinolone acetonide
281
gel) directly to oropharyngeal erosions for use in combination with systemic therapy
282
• Antiseptic baths
283
• Covering erosive lesions, if present, using low adhesive wound dressings or local emollients, and
284
compresses.
285
• Analgesics (over the counter analgesics and opioids)
286
• Gels containing local anesthetics for application at the mucosal surfaces.
287
• Nutritional management with the help of a dietician or a nutritionist if malnutrition is related to
288
oral involvement or systemic corticosteroid therapy
289
Prophylaxis against Side Effects in Prolonged Corticosteroid Therapy
290
• Osteoporosis baseline screening and prophylaxis
291
• Ophthalmologic evaluation
292
• Vitamin D and calcium supplementation at initiation of corticosteroids treatment
293
• Treatment with bisphosphonates (i.e. alendronate, risedronate) in patients at risk (post-menopausal
294
women and men >50 years who will be on corticosteroid treatment > 3 months) of developing
295
osteoporosis
296
• Systemic antifungals, antiviral and antibiotic treatment should be used when clinically indicated
297
• H2-blockers or proton pump inhibitor use should be individualized to the patients given lack of
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sufficient evidence.
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• Anti-thrombotic prophylaxis in case of high risk of thrombosis
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• Psychological support if required
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• Physiotherapy if prolonged corticosteroid therapy is required
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Vaccinations
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• Adjuvant immunosuppressants and intravenous CD20 inhibitors contraindicate the use of live
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vaccines.
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• Patients receiving oral corticosteroids or immunosuppressive therapy may be vaccinated against
306
seasonal influenza, H1N1, tetanus and pneumococci. The level of protection is questionable during
307
systemic immunosuppression.
308
Monitoring
309
Objectives
310
• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment
311
• To plan the gradual reduction of immunosuppressive treatment, and the duration of maintenance
312
therapy or its discontinuation
313
Definitions for Disease Outcome Parameters (12)
314
• Control of disease activity: The time at which new lesions cease to form and established lesions
315
begin to heal
316
• End of consolidation phase: The time at which no new lesions have developed for a minimum of 2
317
weeks and approximately 80% of lesions have healed. This is when most clinicians start to taper
318
steroids."
319
• Complete remission on therapy: The absence of new or established lesions while the patient is
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receiving minimal therapy
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• Complete remission off therapy: The absence of new and/or established lesions while the patient
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is off all systemic therapy for at least 2 months
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• Relapse/flare: Appearance of ≥3 new lesions/month that do not heal spontaneously within 1 week,
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or by the extension of established lesions, in a patient who has achieved disease control
325
• Minimal therapy: Prednisolone (or the equivalent) at ≤10 mg/day and/or minimal adjuvant therapy
326
for at least 2 months
327
Approach to Be Maintained After Consolidation Phase
328
• Expect slow clinical improvement, often requiring a period of 1–3 months for complete healing of
329
lesions
330
• Start tapering steroids as soon as disease control is reached or up to the end of consolidation phase
331
• Decrease predniso(lo)ne by 25% every two weeks, until 20 mg per day. Once at 20 mg per day,
332
decrease predniso(lo)ne by 2.5 mg a week; and then at 10 mg/day, decrease dose by 1 mg per day
333
after that.
334
• Go back to last dose if >3 lesions reappear during the tapering of oral corticosteroid therapy
335
• If relapse occurs (i.e the appearance of ≥3 new lesions/month that do not heal spontaneously
336
within 1 week, or there is extension of established lesions), increase the oral corticosteroid dose by
337
going back to the second to last dose until control of the lesions is achieved within 2 weeks, then
338
resume taper.
339
• If disease control is still not reached despite this, go back to initial dose.
340
If oral corticosteroids are given alone: add an immunosuppressant (especially in case of
341
early-stage relapse occurring despite continued high-dose corticosteroid treatment)
342
If oral corticosteroids are already combined with an immunosuppressant, consider a change
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in immunosuppressant
344
Scheduling and Content of Consultations
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The frequency of consultations (physical exam, additional exams) depends on:
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• The patient’s clinical condition including comorbidities
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• The severity and disease course specific to the patient’s pemphigus during treatment
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• The therapeutics used (monitoring, tolerance, side-effects)
349
• The level of disease activity measure by the ABSIS and/or PDAI, (optional)
350
Initially, follow-up visits should be offered every two weeks until clinical disease control is achieved. In
351
the consolidation phase, patients should be seen every 1-2 weeks in order to determine how soon
352
patients could be started on a steroid taper. Then, during tapering phase, for the next 3 months, monthly
353
clinical follow-ups are recommended. Once in partial or complete remission on minimal therapy, visits
354
can be less frequent, such as every 3 months.
355
Clinical Evaluation
356
The clinical follow-up should seek to clarify:
357
• Level of disease control
358
• Presence of adverse effects due to treatment including:
359
Diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac insufficiency, myopathy, osteoporosis, avascular bone
360
necrosis, glaucoma, cataract due to corticosteroids
361
Infections, notably respiratory, hepatitis, or hematological abnormalities (leucopenia) as a
362
result of immunosuppression
363
Mental disorders
364
Serological Monitoring Of Disease Activity
365
Determination of serum autoantibodies at the initiation of treatment, after 3 months and every 3–6
366
months based on the evolution, or in case of relapse by:
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• ELISA: anti-Dsg1 and/or Dsg3 IgG
368
• If ELISA is not available: IIF microscopy utilizing monkey esophagus
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• Overall, serum concentrations of IgG autoantibodies against Dsg1 and Dsg3 correlate with the
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clinical activity of pemphigus and may thus help in therapeutic decision making
371
• The persistence of high levels of anti-Dsg1 by ELISA has a positive predictive value for skin
372
relapses, whereas the persistence of anti-Dsg3 IgG does not necessarily indicate a mucosal relapse
373
Discontinuation of Treatment
374
• Discontinuation of treatment is primarily based on the clinical symptoms but may be also
375
supported by the findings of Dsg ELISA, IIF and/or negative DIF microscopy of a skin biopsy.
376
• Discontinuation of systemic corticosteroids may be proposed in patients in complete remission on
377
minimal therapy (prednisolone or equivalent at ≤10 mg/day). The adjuvants may be stopped 6–12
378
months after achieving complete remission on minimal therapy with adjuvants only.
379
Possible Sequelae
380
• Pemphigus may cause permanent sequelae not only due to the involvement of skin and mucosa
381
but also due to treatment side effects, justifying request for recognition or help from departmental
382
disability centers where available. The extent of immunosuppressive therapy increases the risk of
383
side-effects.
384
385
Information for patients and their families
386
• Education about the disease, its clinical course and prognosis, treatment, relapse signs, and
387
possible side-effects of treatment.
388
• Awareness of self-support groups, which may help disseminate information regarding the disease,
389
provide comfort and share the experience of patients regarding daily life. Additionally, it may
390
contribute to a better overall management of the disease by promoting cooperation between
391
patients, patient associations and health professionals.
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• Information about referral centers
393
• Education about triggers such as drugs, operations, radiation and physical trauma
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• Counseling on dietary restrictions not necessary due to insufficient evidence
395
Areas for Future Studies
396
These recommendations are a working document whose purpose is to provide clinicians the most up-to-
397
date consensus on the diagnosis and management of pemphigus. Further studies are needed to clarify
398
optimal therapeutic regimens and describe their safety and efficacy in the treatment of pemphigus. Some
399
areas identified by the authors include:
400
Intravenous CD20 inhibitors
401
• Although a recent clinical trial has demonstrated superior efficacy and safety of the intravenous
402
CD20 inhibitor, rituximab, with short term lower doses of corticosteroids than standard dose
403
systemic corticosteroids initially with slow tapering (9), several questions remain about how best to
404
use it:
405
How should other medications be combined with intravenous CD20 inhibitors?
406
Should corticosteroids be used in combination with intravenous CD20 inhibitors from the
407
start to gain disease control and reduce unnecessary iatrogenic morbidity for patients?
408
In some patients with comorbidities or mild disease, can CD20 inhibitors be used alone or
409
with a topical corticosteroid?
410
What is the role of other immunosuppressives, IVIG, immunoadsorption, etc., along with
411
CD20 inhibitors?
412
• Dosing of CD20 inhibitors
413
Is there a specific disease activity level in which patients can be treated with only oral
414
steroids and not necessarily CD20 inhibitors?
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What is the ideal threshold in patients on systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants to
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begin CD20 inhibitor therapy?
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What is the optimal dose, frequency, total number of maintenance infusions to use?
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Are these drugs indicated in patients with negative anti-DSG antibodies?
419
In cases of relapse, is a single dose of 1000mg/infusion of rituximab (or 375 mg/m2 in
420
lymphoma protocol) enough to achieve remission instead of a full dose cycle of rituximab (2
421
x 1000 mg 2 weeks apart or 4 x 375 m
2
/week)?
422
• Long term side effects
423
Will more side effects occur when more patients are treated with multiple maintenance
424
infusions of CD20 inhibitors?
425
Other treatment options
426
• What role do other treatment options, like plasmapheresis, play in the treatment of pemphigus?
427
428
Conclusion
429
In summary, we present here the recommendations arising from a Delphi process involving 39
430
pemphigus experts. We make recommendations for evaluation and treatment of pemphigus, including
431
initial evaluation, diagnosis, and management, as well as strategies for maintenance therapy and tapering
432
of medications in remission.
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References
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1.
Mimouni D, Nousari C, Cummins D, Kouba D, David M, Anhalt G. Differences and similarities
435
among expert opinions on the diagnosis and treatment of pemphigus vulgaris. Journal of the
436
American Academy of Dermatology. 2003;49(6):1059-1062. doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(03)02738-
437
5.
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2.
Venugopal S Murrell D. Diagnosis and Clinical Features of Pemphigus Vulgaris. Immunology
439
and Allergy Clinics of North America. 2012;32(2):233-243. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2012.04.003.
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3. Joly P, Bernard P, Bedane C, Prost C, Ingen-Housz-Oro S. Pemphigus. Guidelines for the
441
diagnosis and treatment. Centres de reference des maladies bulleuses auto-immunes. Societe
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Francaise de Dermatologie. Ann Dermatol Venereol 2011; 138: 252–258.
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4. Committee for Guidelines for the Management of Pemphigus Disease, Amagai, M., Tanikawa,
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A., Shimizu, T., Hashimoto, T., Ikeda, S., Kurosawa, M., Niizeki, H., Aoyama, Y., Iwatsuki, K.
445
and Kitajima, Y. (2014), Japanese guidelines for the management of pemphigus. The Journal of
446
Dermatology, 41: 471–486. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.12486
447
5. Eming, R., Sticherling, M., Hofmann, S. C., Hunzelmann, N., Kern, J. S., Kramer, H., Pfeiffer,
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C., Schuster, V., Zillikens, D., Goebeler, M., Hertl, M., Nast, A., Orzechowski, H.-D., Sárdy, M.,
449
Schmidt, E., Sitaru, C., Sporbeck, B. and Worm, M. (2015), S2k guidelines for the treatment of
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pemphigus vulgaris/foliaceus and bullous pemphigoid. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen
451
Gesellschaft, 13: 833–844. doi: 10.1111/ddg.12606
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6. Harman, K.E., Albert, S. and Black, M.M. (2003), Guidelines for the management of pemphigus
453
vulgaris. British Journal of Dermatology, 149: 926–937. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2003.05665.x
454
7. Hertl M, Jedlickova H, Karpati S et al. Pemphigus. S2 Guideline for diagnosis and treatment -
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guided by the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) in cooperation with the European Academy
456
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of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV). Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology
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and Venereology. 2014;29(3):405-414. doi:10.1111/jdv.12772.
458
8. Hsu C, Sandford B. The Delphi Technique: Making Sense Of Consensus. Practical Assessment,
459
Research & Evaluation. 2007;12(10). Available at: http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=12&n=4.
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9. Shimizu, T., Takebayashi, T., Sato, Y., Niizeki, H., Aoyama, Y., Kitajima, Y., Iwatsuki, K.,
461
Hashimoto, T., Yamagami, J., Werth, V. P., Amagai, M. and Tanikawa, A. (2014), Grading
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criteria for disease severity by pemphigus disease area index. J Dermatol, 41: 969–973.
463
doi:10.1111/1346-8138.12649
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10. Boulard, C., Duvert Lehembre, S., Picard-Dahan, C., Kern, J.S., Zambruno, G., Feliciani, C.,
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Marinovic, B., Vabres, P., Borradori, L., Prost-Squarcioni, C., Labeille, B., Richard, M.A.,
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Ingen-Housz-Oro, S., Houivet, E., Werth, V.P., Murrell, D.F., Hertl, M., Benichou, J., Joly, P.
467
and the International Pemphigus Study Group (2016), Calculation of cut-off values based on the
468
Autoimmune Bullous Skin Disorder Intensity Score (ABSIS) and Pemphigus Disease Area Index
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(PDAI) pemphigus scoring systems for defining moderate, significant and extensive types of
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pemphigus. Br J Dermatol, 175: 142–149. doi:10.1111/bjd.14405
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11. Joly P, Maho-Vaillant M, Prost-Squarcioni C, et al. (in press). First-line use of Rituximab
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combined with short-term-prednisone versus corticosteroid alone in the treatment of patients
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with Pemphigus: a prospective multicenter randomized trial. The Lancet.
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12. Murrell DF, Daniel BS, Joly P, et al. Definitions and outcome measures for bullous pemphigoid:
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Recommendations by an international panel of experts. Journal of the American Academy of
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Dermatology. 2012;66(3):10.1016/j.jaad.2011.06.032. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2011.06.032.
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Table 1: Laboratory Work-up
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Histopathology
• A biopsy should be taken of a recent (<24 h) small vesicle or 1/3 of the peripheral
portion of a blister and 2/3 perilesional skin (placed in 4% formalin solution) for
routine histopathological analysis: intraepidermal suprabasal acantholysis in PV or
acantholysis at the granular layer in PF.
Direct immunofluorescence microscopy (DIF)
• Skin biopsy of perilesional skin (up to 1 cm from a recent lesion), put into a
cryotube for transportation in saline (delivery <36 h) in a cylinder of liquid nitrogen
or Michel’s fixative for DIF analysis:
DIF: IgG and/or C3 deposits at the surface of epidermal keratinocytes. The
smooth and reticular staining pattern is also referred to as ‘chicken wire’,
‘honeycomb’ or ‘fishnet-like’.
IgA deposits with an epithelial cell surface pattern in addition to IgG may be
present in a subset of cases.
Epithelial cell surface deposits may be associated with linear or granular
deposits of IgG or C3 along the dermal–epidermal junction, suggestive of
other autoimmune blistering diseases including paraneoplastic pemphigus or
pemphigus erythematosus, or the coexistence of pemphigus and pemphigoid
Immune serological tests
Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy (IIF)
• IIF test on monkey esophagus or human skin to search for autoantibodies against
surface proteins of epidermal keratinocytes, similar to the pattern seen on DIF.
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•
In case of atypical presentation or the suspicion of another autoimmune bullous
disorder, additional immunopathological tests may be performed, such as IIF on rat
bladder and immunoblot/immunoprecipitation
• IIF on human cells with recombinant expression of desmoglein 1, desmoglein 3 or
envoplakin (Euroimmun) is an alternative where desmoglein- or envoplakin-specific
ELISA cannot be used
ELISA
• Detection of anti-desmoglein 1 (Dsg1) (PF/mucocutaneous PV) and/or anti-
desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) IgG autoantibodies (mucosal or mucocutaneous PV) by ELISA
(MBL, Euroimmun)
• The detection of IgG autoantibodies by ELISA is positive in more than 90% of
cases
• In general, the ELISA index correlates with the extent and/or activity of disease
(see remark above) and prognostic value for relapse, helping to guide treatment.
Large prospective cohort studies are, however, missing in this context to provide
reliable data about predictive value
Work-Up before Corticosteroid or Immunosuppressive Therapy
• Complete blood count
• Creatinine, blood electrolytes
• Transaminases, gamma GT, alkaline phosphatase
• Total serum protein, albumin
• Fasting serum glucose
• Hepatitis B, C and HIV
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•
Quantiferon gold or PPD is recommended
Recommended, on indication or optional:
• Serum IgA deficiency should be ruled out prior to IVIG treatment
• Analysis of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity is recommended when
azathioprine is considered in countries where genetic polymorphisms for decreased
TMPT activity levels are more common
• Chest X-ray if Quantiferon gold or PPD is abnormal
• ß HCG is recommended to exclude pregnancy in women of childbearing potential
• Osteodensitometry is recommended prior to corticosteroid treatment
• Ocular examination (glaucoma, cataract) is recommended
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Table 2: Medication Dosing
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First-Line Treatment
Corticosteroids
• Systemic corticosteroid therapy (predniso(lo)ne at 0.5 mg to 1.5 mg/kg/day)
• Systemic corticosteroids (oral or intravenous pulses) can be combined with an
immunosuppressive adjuvant at the onset of therapy, especially in cases of increased risk of
corticosteroid therapy, complications due to expected prolonged use (>4 months) or dose
dependency above minimal therapy (>10 mg/day). However, there is limited evidence that
the addition of adjuvants is superior to treatment with corticosteroids alone.
• While limited, studies have not shown IV corticosteroid pulses to have an additional
benefit on top of conventional first-line treatment with oral predniso(lo)ne and
immunosuppressive adjuvants. While more evidence is needed, steroid pulse therapy in
addition to conventional treatment should be reserved for refractory cases of pemphigus.
• Treat with the smallest dose for the shortest time possible to minimize risk of adverse
events
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies
Currently there are two intravenous CD20 inhibitors available, rituximab and ofatumumab. All
the published trials so far have used rituximab.
• First line treatment in new onset moderate to severe pemphigus and/or for patients who do
not achieve clinical remission with systemic corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive
adjuvants (11). Allows for more rapid tapering of corticosteroid doses and a major
corticosteroid sparing effect.
• A course of intravenous rituximab consists of 2 x 1000 mg (2 weeks apart) or 4 x 375
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mg/m2 (1 week apart).
• Treatment can be repeated in case of clinical relapse or as early as 6 months after treatment.
Lower doses are sometimes used for retreatment.
• Combine with short-term (<4 months) systemic corticosteroids and long-term (>12 months)
immunosuppressive treatment, although the need for immunosuppressive adjuvants in
rituximab therapy remains unclear.
• The incidence of unforeseen fatal infections such as progressive multifocal
leukoencephalopathy (PML) cannot be estimated due to the rarity of pemphigus.
Corticosteroid-Sparing Agents
First-Line Corticosteroid-Sparing Agents
• Azathioprine (1–3 mg/kg/day).
Start first week 50 mg/day to detect idiosyncratic reactions such as sudden onset
fevers, oral ulcers, elevated liver function tests and/or DRESS (and in case stop
immediately), and then raise to desired dose. Although not predictive for idiosyncratic
reactions, TPMT activity should be evaluated in countries/ethnicities where there is a
higher incidence of polymorphisms before commencing therapy because
recommended azathioprine doses vary based upon TPMT activity. In general, adults
with pemphigus and high TPMT activity are treated with normal doses of azathioprine
(up to 2.5 mg/kg/day). Patients with intermediate or low TPMT activity should receive
a lower maintenance dose (up to 0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg/day) depending on level of enzyme
activity. Patients that lack TPMT activity should avoid treatment with azathioprine.
• Mycophenolate mofetil (30 mg/kg-45 mg/kg/day) or mycophenolic acid (1440 mg/day).
Other Corticosteroid-Sparing Agents
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•
Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) (2g/kg over 2-5 days per month)
Treatment is generally combined with systemic corticosteroids (initially) and
immunosuppressive adjuvants
Treatment should be performed over several days to avoid side-effects
Aseptic meningitis is a rare but important side-effect of IVIG treatment which needs to
be kept in mind in patients who commonly experience episodes of migraine
Although uncommon, patients with IgA deficiency should receive IgA-depleted IVIG
treatment.
• Immunoadsorption
First-line treatment option in emergency situations where available
Second-line corticosteroid sparing agent where available
Contraindications include severe systemic infections, severe cardiovascular diseases,
hypersensitivity against components of the immunoadsorption column, treatment with
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and extensive hemorrhagic diathesis
• Cyclophosphamide
Use in cases of limited resources or in severe cases that have not responded to other
treatments
Use as a drug of last resort due to long-term side effects
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Figure 1: Diagnosis of Pemphigus
486
Diagnosis requires clinical presentation and histopathology that are consistent with pemphigus
487
and either a positive DIF or serological detection of autoantibodies against epithelial cell surface
488
antigens.
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Figure 2: Treatment Options
491
The principal objective is to promote the healing of blisters and erosions, prevent development of new
492
lesions, and minimize serious side effects of treatment.
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Table 1:Summary of the changes made to previous guidelines
The following is a summary of the differences with the EDF/EADV guidelines.
• The following set of guidelines was revised to include diagnostic and management
interventions for pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) only.
• The roles of general practitioners, nurse practitioners, and home care health nurses
were defined.
• The titles “first-line” and “second-line” adjuvants were changed to “first-line
corticosteroid sparing agents” and “other corticosteroid sparing agents”.
• Intravenous CD20 inhibitors were added as a first-line treatment recommendation
for moderate to severe pemphigus
• The following qualifying statement was added to the recommendation regarding
analysis of thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity when azathioprine is
considered: “in countries where genetic polymorphisms for decreased TMPT activity
levels are more common.”
• “In case of elevated risk” was removed as a qualifying statement with regards to
checking a Quantiferon or purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test to rule out
tuberculosis prior to initiating treatment.
• Statements of facts as opposed to recommendations were removed.
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Capsule summary 1
• The European Dermatology Forum and the European Academy of Dermatology and 2
Venereology (EDF/EADV) passed management guidelines for pemphigus. 3
• We present the recommendations of international experts, which have resulted from 4
a Delphi consensus gathering exercise based on the EDF/EADV guidelines. 5
• This international consensus includes intravenous CD20 inhibitors as a first line 6
therapy option for moderate to severe pemphigus. 7
