Clinical response of rituximab and improvement of quality of life in patients with bullous pemphigoid and mucous membrane pemphigoid.

Pemphigoid is a heterogeneous group of rare and chronic autoimmune subepidermal bullous diseases, characterized by circulating autoantibodies against structural proteins in the hemidesmosomes. Long-term therapy with systemic oral prednisone and immunosuppressants are often required and associated with severe adverse reactions.