EFFICACY OF RITUXIMAB FOR PEMPHIGUS AT NATIONAL HOSPITAL OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY IN VIETNAM

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Rituximab induces a rapid remission in most patients with pemphigus. To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of rituximab in the treatment of pemphigus at the Vietnam National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 41 patients with pemphigus who attended our hospital between 2019 and 2024. Each enrolled patient received two doses of rituximab (1000mg per dose) administered as intravenous infusions two weeks apart. Subsequently, a maintenance dose of 1000mg was administered intravenously at month 6 or 12, followed by every 6 months based on clinical evaluation. The efficacy and safety of the treatment were assessed through pemphigus disease area index (PDAI) evaluations conducted before and after therapy, monitoring clinical responses, and recording any adverse events during follow-up.

Results: 41 patients with pemphigus (pemphigus vulgaris: 39 patients, pemphigus foliaceus: 2 patients) who were treated with rituximab and followed for a median period of 20.5 months. The average patient age was 49.2 years, with males representing 31.7% of the cohort. The mean number of infusions administered per patient was 3.02. Complete remission was achieved in 32 (78%) patients, and all patients responded to treatment. The mean time to achieve disease control and complete remission was 4.8 ± 1.1 weeks and 8.2 ± 3.8 months, respectively. Relapse occurred in six (14.6%) patients after an average duration of 17.0 ± 2.5 months. One patient developed pneumonia as an infectious complication and subsequently died.

Conclusions: Rituximab is a highly effective therapeutic agent for the management of pemphigus. It enables rapid disease control and achieves high rates of complete remission.