 |
|
Successful Treatment of Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid With Etanercept in 3 Patients
Maria J. Canizares, MD;
David I. Smith, MD;
Michael S. Conners, MD;
Kenneth J. Maverick, MD;
Michael P. Heffernan, MD
Arch Dermatol. 2006;142:1457-1461.
Background Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), also known as cicatricial pemphigoid, is a serious, autoimmune, blistering disorder that can result in blindness and other complications as a result of scarring of the mucous membranes. Effective treatment modalities are often toxic. Herein, we describe a novel therapeutic approach that is based on 2 reports in the literature of the successful use of etanercept to treat MMP.
Observations Three patients with MMP were treated with subcutaneous injections of 25 mg of etanercept twice weekly. All 3 patients had oral mucosal involvement, and 1 had severe, recalcitrant, ocular disease. Oral mucosal disease improved in all 3 patients. The patient with ocular involvement experienced stabilization of progression.
Conclusions Effective treatment modalities for MMP are often toxic. Etanercept may be an effective treatment option for MMP of the oral and ocular mucous membranes. This therapy should be considered as an alternative treatment option for patients who would require other aggressive systemic treatments, such as cyclophosphamide, corticosteroids, azathioprine sodium, and intravenous immunoglobulin.
Author Affiliations: Division of Dermatology (Drs Canizares, Smith, and Heffernan), Department of Ophthalmology (Drs Conners and Maverick), Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo. Dr Heffernan is now with the School of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
p38 MAPK Signaling in Oral-related Diseases
Patil and Kirkwood
J. Dent. Res. 2007;86:812-825.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
