# Efficacy and safety of low dose rituximab in pemphigus: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

## TL;DR

This study finds that low-dose rituximab is as effective as high-dose for treating pemphigus, but with similar risks of serious side effects.

## Contribution

The paper provides an updated meta-analysis comparing low-dose and high-dose rituximab for pemphigus treatment.

## Key findings

- Low-dose RTX showed no significant differences in efficacy compared to high-dose RTX.
- Pooled results from single-arm studies showed 63.2% complete remission and 28.6% relapse rates.
- Severe adverse events like pneumonia and sepsis were reported in low-dose RTX groups.

## Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of pemphigus.

A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify eligible studies. Primary efficacy outcomes included complete remission (CR), relapse rates, time to disease control (TDC), time to CR, and cumulative corticosteroid dose. Safety outcomes were assessed by meticulously documenting adverse events (AEs) and concomitant medications reported in each study.

The final analysis incorporated five comparative studies and nine single-arm studies investigating the efficacy and safety outcomes of low-dose RTX. Comparative data revealed no statistically significant differences between the high-dose and low-dose RTX groups in CR, relapse rates, TDC, time to CR, and cumulative corticosteroid dose. In single-arm studies, pooled CR and relapse rates were 63.2% and 28.6%, respectively. No fatal events were reported; however, severe AEs, including pneumonia and sepsis, were documented in the low-dose RTX cohort.

Low-dose RTX exhibited comparable clinical efficacy to high-dose RTX regimens in pemphigus management. However, clinicians should remain vigilant for potential AEs associated with low-dose RTX infusion.