Two decades of using the combination of tetracycline derivatives and niacinamide as steroid-sparing agents in the management of pemphigus: Defining a niche for these low toxicity agents - 14/08/14
Abstract |
Background |
The twin goals of long-term disease control and minimizing toxicities related to immunosuppression necessitate efforts to find effective steroid-sparing agents in the management of patients with autoimmune bullous diseases. Pemphigus especially requires a long view, because the disease can persist throughout a patient's lifetime, yet few clinical trial reports exist to guide the practitioner.
Objectives |
We review the response of pemphigus patients to tetracycline, doxycycline, or minocycline plus niacinamide (TCN/NAM) as steroid-sparing therapy and to determine the effects of TCN/NAM on autoantibody levels during the long-term treatment of pemphigus.
Methods |
This was a retrospective chart review in a private medical dermatology practice setting of all pemphigus patients treated between 1993 and 2013. Clinical responses to TCN/NAM therapy after initial high-dose steroid induction therapy and pemphigus antibody levels were recorded over the course of disease flares and treatment cycles along with any related side effects. Anti–desmoglein 1 and 3 titers were compared in a subset of patients over time, and a statistical analysis was performed to correlate the clinical response with antibody levels.
Results |
Fifty-one pemphigus patients (43 with pemphigus vulgaris, 7 with pemphigus foliaceous, and 1 with pemphigus erythematosus) received at least 3 months of TCN/NAM, and 16 patients with pemphigus vulgaris had 1 set of pemphigus antibody titers correlating to a baseline/flare and clinical remission. TCN/NAM was associated with disease control in 43 of 51 patients, with a duration of response ranging from 1 to 13 years (mean, 3.14 ± 2.97 years). Thirteen of 51 patients needed no additional treatment for complete disease control, while 33 of 51 needed intermittent topical clobetasol or short courses of oral steroids for long-term management. There were 5 nonresponders. Antidesmoglein titers trended lower in TCN/NAM responders, but only desmoglein 3 approached statistical significance (anti–desmoglein 1, P = .21; anti–desmoglein 3, P = .02).
Limitations |
This is a retrospective analysis from a single practice. A lack of serial autoantibody titers limited statistical analyses.
Conclusion |
TCN/NAM may be useful as a steroid-sparing therapy for pemphigus.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : autoimmune, bullous diseases, cadherins, desmoglein 1, desmoglein 3, doxycycline, minocycline, niacinamide, nicotinamide, pemphigus, steroid-sparing, tetracycline
Abbreviations used : DSG1, DSG3, ELISA, ICS, PE, PF, PV, TCN/NAM
Plan
Funding sources: None. |
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Reprints not available from the authors. |
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Conflicts of interest: No relevant conflicts declared. |
Vol 71 - N° 3
P. 475-479 - septembre 2014 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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