Pemphigoid is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by circulating autoantibodies against structural proteins in the hemidesmosomes. Rituximab – an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is increasingly being used in the management of this condition.

A new article published in the British Journal of Dermatology aimed to assess the clinical outcomes and patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) of rituximab-treated patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) and mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP).

This was a retrospective observational study on rituximab-treated patients with BP and MMP, undertaken between 2016-2020. Participants received a single course of 1000mg rituximab infusions two weeks apart, followed by 500mg infusions each at month-six and month-12, respectively

Notably, rituximab therapy had a positive effect on the quality of life (QoL) and treatment burden in pemphigoid patients. There were significant decreases in the Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and Treatment of Autoimmune Bullous Disease Quality of life (TABQOL) scores, as well as a decrease in anxiety scores, during rituximab therapy. 

Overall, rituximab showed a 74% remission rate in patients with pemphigoid with a steroid-sparing benefit, along with improvement in QoL and reduction in treatment burden.

Source: British Journal of Dermatology. 2021 Nov 8; doi.org/10.1111/bjd.20881