Fatourechi Mitra M, el-Azhary Rokea A, Gibson Lawrence E
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA.
Int J Dermatol. 2006 Oct;45(10):1143-55; quiz 1155. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2006.03007.x.
Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody which has been used extensively for B-lymphocytic malignancies. In addition, applications for autoimmune diseases have emerged in recent years. Case reports support the use of rituximab in certain dermatologic conditions, including paraneoplastic pemphigus, pemphigus vulgaris, graft versus host disease, and cutaneous B-cell malignancies. Clinical trials are lacking and would be an appropriate next step.