ABSTRACT

Corticosteroids decreased the mortality rates of pemphigus as dramatically, and they are still the baseline treatment and cornerstone of pemphigus management. Systemic corticosteroids, in combination with adjuvant corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppressive drugs, are the conventional therapy for pemphigus. However, because of both refractory patients and the serious side effects of immunosuppressive drugs, the treatment of pemphigus patients is still challenging.

Although they have limited evidence, more recently, monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody, rituximab, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins and immunoadsorption have been established as additional successful therapeutic options. In this article both conventional therapies and most current treatment strategies for pemphigus are reviewed on the basis of clinical experiences. (Turk J Dermatol 2012; 6: 91-101)