CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE PLUS VINCRISTINE AND PREDNISONE IN THE TREATMENT OF SEVERE PEMPHIGUS-VULGARIS REFRACTORY TO CONVENTIONAL THERAPY

Five patients with severe pemphigus vulgaris refractory to conventiona l therapy with azathioprine and corticosteroids were treated with cycl ophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone. One patient was not evaluabl e, while the remaining four patients showed a complete response. Durat ion of response was in the range of 13-94 months. Toxicity was mainly represented by alopecia, myelosuppression and gastrointestinal side-ef fects such as nausea/vomiting. Although cyclophosphamide and vincristi ne may induce severe side-effects, this association may be useful in c ontrolling severe disease resistant to previous conventional therapies .