IVIG With Rituximab vs Rituximab as First Line Treatment of Pemphigus

Pemphigus is a rare acquired autoimmune disease in which immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies target desmosomal proteins to produce intraepithelial, and mucocutaneous blisters. It is potentially fatal and the average mortality of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) was 75% before the introduction of corticosteroids in the early 1950s.

Traditionally, treatment of pemphigus included high dose systemic corticosteroids with or without adjuvant immunosuppressants. However; the prolonged use of high dose steroids carries significant side effects. A recent randomized trial has proved the efficacy of Rituximab, a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody against B-lymphocytes, as an efficacious therapy for pemphigus. Furthermore, early use of rituximab was associated with associated with better clinical outcomes. Moreover, combination treatment of rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) has shown to be effective for refractory pemphigus cases and can potentially induce long-term complete remission and lower risks infectious complications.

Cost effectiveness is an important issue and while combination of IVIG and rituximab has been advocated, the cost of such treatment is substantial and whether it poses any benefit over rituximab alone, or with other more conventional immunosuppressive agents, has not been established. Both treatment approaches have been previously published in high impact journals.

In this study, investigators aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of early use of rituximab with or without IVIG in patients with moderate to severe pemphigus using protocols that were similar to those previously published. Apart from complete remission and adverse effects, investigators will also aim to measure the impact of health care economics and in doing so, assess the cost and benefits of both treatment arms.

Inclusion criteria

• Written informed consent obtained from patient
• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Newly or recently diagnosed (less than 18 months) diagnosed pemphigus vulgaris or pemphigus foliaceus based on clinical features; histological features of acantholysis via skin or mucosal biopsy; and intercellular staining pattern of indirect immunofluorescence or serological detection of DSG 1 or DSG 3 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Moderate to severe active disease, as defined by overall PDAI >= 15 or skin involvement BSA>= 5%. 9 [Annex 1]
• Receiving standard-of-care oral prednisolone up to 1.5 mg/kg/day
• Women who are sexually active and not postmenopausal, agreement to remain abstinent or use 2 effective methods of contraception.
• Ability to comply with study protocol as deemed by investigator's assessment

Exclusion criteria

• Age <18 or >75
• Pregnant women or nursing mother
• Already diagnosed pemphigus patients diagnosed > 18 months
• Non-consenting patients, or patient who cannot be followed up regularly
• Patient with history of serious allergy or anaphylactic reaction to monoclonal antibody treatment
• Severe heart failure (NYHA Class III or IV)
• Unstable angina or myocardiac infarction within last 3 months or post-infarction heart failure
• Anaemia (haemoglobin <10g/dL), Neutropenia (<1000/mm3), Lymphopenia (<900/mm3), thrombocytopenia (<100,000/mm3)
• Renal insufficiency eGFR <60
• Liver insufficiency of ALT/ALT > 2 times normal limit range
• Positive test results for hepatitis C (HCV) serology at screening *Patients who are HepBs Ag positive, or HepBs Ag negative and anti-HepBc Ab - positive: Patients who are HepBs Ag positive - will be started on entecavir 0.5mg daily, and will be referred to a gastroenterologist for further follow up.

Patients who are HepBs Ag negative, and HBc Ab positive, with detectable HepB DNA levels - will be started on entecavir 0.5mg daily, and will be referred to a gastroenterologist for further follow up.

Patients who are HepBs Ag negative, HBc Ab positive, with no detectable HepB DNA levels - will be started on entecavir 0.5mg daily, and will be continued on entecavir for at least 18 months after completion of last dose of rituximab.

• Blood test positive for HIV
• Signs of active infection on CXR
• Positive interferon gamma release assay Quantiferon or T.Spot TB test: must be treated with at least 4 weeks post initiation of isoniazid or other TB therapy
• Inherited or acquired severe immunodeficiency
• History of malignancy
• Patient with active severe infection (excluding fungal infections of the nail), which has required antibiotic treatment within 2 week prior to study enrolment
• Infection requiring hospitalisation or intravenous antibiotic treatment within the last 8 weeks prior to enrolment
• Past history of osteomyelitis, or fasciitis, septic arthritis within the last one year
• Patients with drug induced pemphigus. A thorough medication history will be taken to rule out drug induced pemphigus including D-penicillamine, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and cephalosporins
• Evidence of any new or uncontrolled concomitant disease that in the investigators' judgement would preclude the patients participation
• Patients with history of allergy or adverse events to IVIG or rituximab treatment10
• Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins, plasmaphoresis within the last 8 weeks prior to randomization
• Previous treatment with rituximab or any monoclonal antibody inducing profound lymphopenia
• Treatment with live or attenuated vaccine within the last 28 days prior to randomization