Therapeutic Plasma Exchange-A New Dawn in the Treatment of Pemphigus Vulgaris

Indian J Dermatol. 2015 Jul-Aug;60(4):419. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.160509.

Abstract

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disorder that involves intraepithelial blistering and sores of skin and mucous membrane. It generally correlates with the levels of circulating autoantibodies; their removal seems a reasonable therapeutic approach. Therapeutic plasma exchange is hypothesized to remove pathogenic autoantibodies and has been used in refractory or severe cases. It may be considered for rapid control of severe or recalcitrant pemphigus vulgaris and should be combined with use of concomitant immuno-suppressive.

Keywords: Autoantibodies; corticosteroids; pemphigus vulgaris; therapeutic plasma exchange.