Efficacy of Dapsone in the Treatment of Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Single-Center Case Study.

BACKGROUND Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune blistering disease. Most patients require long-term therapy with systemic steroids, and a steroid-sparing agent is usually also utilized. Dapsone is a chemotherapeutic agent with anti-inflammatory properties that is used as a steroid-sparing agent in PV. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of dapsone as an adjuvant therapy in patients with PV. METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients' files was performed. All 26 patients included in the study group were treated with dapsone as an adjuvant to systemic steroids for at least 3 consecutive months and were followed up during their dapsone treatment period. RESULTS After 3 months of treatment with dapsone, 13 patients were in the consolidation phase, 4 patients demonstrated partial remission on minimal therapy, 7 patients demonstrated complete remission on minimal therapy, and 2 patients were defined as treatment failures. The trend of clinical improvement continued after 6 months of treatment and at the study end point. CONCLUSION This retrospective case series, one of the largest reported, indicates that dapsone is efficacious and safe for patients with PV in whom it is well tolerated soon after the initiation of treatment.