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A Single Cycle of Intravenous Immunoglobulin as Adjuvant to Rituximab in Patients With Pemphigus: A Retrospective Cohort Study at a Tertiary Referral Centre

Zheyun Fang, Huiyi Ke, Jing-Ying Wang, Hailun Wang, Zijing Yang, Yiting Shen, Shuman Yang, Wen-Zhe Zhao et al.

British Journal of Dermatology, 2025

76 participants · 1 citation

Abstract

While there have been reports on the combined use of rituximab (RTX) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) for treating refractory pemphigus, there is a lack of extensive research affirming the value of adding IVIg to the current RTX regimen. In this retrospective cohort study with 76 pemphigus patients treated with RTX and systemic corticosteroids, RTX+IVIg resulted in similar clinical efficacy, but with a potential reduction in risk of pneumonia. This suggests that IVIg might be a valuable adjuvant for RTX to be considered in certain cases of patients with pemphigus, more to improve safety profile than to ameliorate clinical outcomes.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 76 participants or records.

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