iMMUNOBUllous disease and the efficacy of rituximab: A manitoba population analysis

Abstract

Immunobullous diseases result from an autoimmune process in which the targets are antigens in the skin. Therapy has classically included systemic steroid and other immunosuppressants including Mycophenalate mofitil, azathioprine, and other immunosuppressant medications. Chronic use of such immunosuppressives, over the years, can often result in suppression of such disease. Rituximab, a monoclonal anti-body, has shown great promise as remittive management of immunobullous diseases. Such medications have been extensively utilized at our clinic in management of such patients. We undertake a retrospective project to characterize and classify the patient demographics, disease specific, and treatment regimen that these patients required, to gain a better understanding of the utility of Rituximab in the management of this patient population.