Synchronization of plasmapheresis and pulse cyclophosphamide therapy in pemphigus vulgaris. 1987

H H Euler, and H Löffler, and E Christophers

Long-lasting and complete remission was obtained in a 48-year-old patient with refractory pemphigus vulgaris by an experimental treatment protocol that tries to synchronize plasmapheresis with subsequent pulse cyclophosphamide therapy. The rationale of the approach tries to utilize the plasmapheresis-induced increased proliferation of pathogenic cell clones for partial deletion of these clones through application of maximum pulse immunosuppression treatment during the period of assumed maximum proliferation and, thus, maximum vulnerability of the antibody-producing cells. The treatment schedule consisted of initial withdrawal of immunosuppressive drug therapy, repeated large-volume plasmaphereses substituted with immunoglobulin-free albumin solutions, subsequent application of high-dose (36 mg/kg of body weight) cyclophosphamide therapy, and low-dose maintenance immunosuppression for several months. As a result, our patient remained disease free over a follow-up period of 40 months without any further immunosuppressive treatment. Stimulation of postexchange antibody production and subsequent application of high-dose cytotoxic drugs might be a valuable tool in the management of refractory pemphigus vulgaris and, possibly, in the management of other autoantibody-mediated diseases.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007165 Immunosuppression Therapy Deliberate prevention or diminution of the host's immune response. It may be nonspecific as in the administration of immunosuppressive agents (drugs or radiation) or by lymphocyte depletion or may be specific as in desensitization or the simultaneous administration of antigen and immunosuppressive drugs. Antirejection Therapy,Immunosuppression,Immunosuppressive Therapy,Anti-Rejection Therapy,Therapy, Anti-Rejection,Therapy, Antirejection,Anti Rejection Therapy,Anti-Rejection Therapies,Antirejection Therapies,Immunosuppression Therapies,Immunosuppressions,Immunosuppressive Therapies,Therapies, Immunosuppression,Therapies, Immunosuppressive,Therapy, Immunosuppression,Therapy, Immunosuppressive
D007275 Injections, Intravenous Injections made into a vein for therapeutic or experimental purposes. Intravenous Injections,Injection, Intravenous,Intravenous Injection
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010392 Pemphigus Group of chronic blistering diseases characterized histologically by ACANTHOLYSIS and blister formation within the EPIDERMIS. Pemphigus Vulgaris,Pemphigus Foliaceus,Foliaceus, Pemphigus
D010956 Plasmapheresis Procedure whereby plasma is separated and extracted from anticoagulated whole blood and the red cells retransfused to the donor. Plasmapheresis is also employed for therapeutic use. Double Filtration Plasmapheresis,Therapeutic Immunoadsorption,Therapeutic Plasma Adsorption,Therapeutic Plasmapheresis,Adsorption, Therapeutic Plasma,Adsorptions, Therapeutic Plasma,Double Filtration Plasmaphereses,Filtration Plasmapheresis, Double,Immunoadsorption, Therapeutic,Plasma Adsorption, Therapeutic,Plasmaphereses,Plasmapheresis, Double Filtration,Plasmapheresis, Therapeutic,Therapeutic Immunoadsorptions,Therapeutic Plasma Adsorptions,Therapeutic Plasmaphereses
D011239 Prednisolone A glucocorticoid with the general properties of the corticosteroids. It is the drug of choice for all conditions in which routine systemic corticosteroid therapy is indicated, except adrenal deficiency states. Di-Adreson-F,Predate,Predonine,Di Adreson F,DiAdresonF
D003131 Combined Modality Therapy The treatment of a disease or condition by several different means simultaneously or sequentially. Chemoimmunotherapy, RADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY, chemoradiotherapy, cryochemotherapy, and SALVAGE THERAPY are seen most frequently, but their combinations with each other and surgery are also used. Multimodal Treatment,Therapy, Combined Modality,Combined Modality Therapies,Modality Therapies, Combined,Modality Therapy, Combined,Multimodal Treatments,Therapies, Combined Modality,Treatment, Multimodal,Treatments, Multimodal
D003520 Cyclophosphamide Precursor of an alkylating nitrogen mustard antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent that must be activated in the LIVER to form the active aldophosphamide. It has been used in the treatment of LYMPHOMA and LEUKEMIA. Its side effect, ALOPECIA, has been used for defleecing sheep. Cyclophosphamide may also cause sterility, birth defects, mutations, and cancer. (+,-)-2-(bis(2-Chloroethyl)amino)tetrahydro-2H-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine 2-Oxide Monohydrate,B-518,Cyclophosphamide Anhydrous,Cyclophosphamide Monohydrate,Cyclophosphamide, (R)-Isomer,Cyclophosphamide, (S)-Isomer,Cyclophosphane,Cytophosphan,Cytophosphane,Cytoxan,Endoxan,NSC-26271,Neosar,Procytox,Sendoxan,B 518,B518,NSC 26271,NSC26271
D004334 Drug Administration Schedule Time schedule for administration of a drug in order to achieve optimum effectiveness and convenience. Administration Schedule, Drug,Administration Schedules, Drug,Drug Administration Schedules,Schedule, Drug Administration,Schedules, Drug Administration
D004359 Drug Therapy, Combination Therapy with two or more separate preparations given for a combined effect. Combination Chemotherapy,Polychemotherapy,Chemotherapy, Combination,Combination Drug Therapy,Drug Polytherapy,Therapy, Combination Drug,Chemotherapies, Combination,Combination Chemotherapies,Combination Drug Therapies,Drug Polytherapies,Drug Therapies, Combination,Polychemotherapies,Polytherapies, Drug,Polytherapy, Drug,Therapies, Combination Drug

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