The adjuvant therapy of pemphigus. An update

Arch Dermatol. 1996 Feb;132(2):203-12.

Abstract

Systemic corticosteroids remain the mainstay of therapy for pemphigus. Their use has transformed what was almost invariably a fatal illness into one whose mortality is now below 10%. Unfortunately, the high doses and prolonged administration of corticosteroids that are often needed to control the disease result in numerous side effects, many of which are serious. Most patients who die of pemphigus at present die of complications of therapy. This has led to a continued search for alternative treatments that might reduce the need for steroids. Those treatments now in use are usually given in combination with steroids and, for that reason, are referred to as adjuvant therapies. This article summarizes progress in the adjuvant therapy of pemphigus since the last review of this subject 10 years ago.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Azathioprine / administration & dosage
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant*
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclosporine / administration & dosage
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Pemphigus / drug therapy*
  • Photopheresis
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Azathioprine