TY - JOUR AB - The place of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) among autoimmune bullous dermatoses is well known. In pemphigus, IgG autoantibodies are directed against desmogleins 1 and 3, which are part of the cadherin family of cell-cell adhesion molecules. These structures are responsible for maintaining the intercellular adherence in stratified squamous epithelia, such as the skin and oral mucosa. The incidence of autoimmune bullous dermatoses is steadily increasing, being associated with a high degree of morbidity. The pathophysiology of these dermatoses is very well understood, complemented by recent genetic studies. The gold standard for the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris is the detection of autoantibodies or complement component 3 by direct immunofluorescence microscopy of a perilesional biopsy. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are necessary in order to achieve a favorable prognosis. Although the first line of treatment is corticotherapy, there are no clear guidelines on dosing regimens, and long-term adverse effects are important. Corticosteroid-sparing adjuvant therapies have been employed in the treatment of PV, aiming to reduce the necessary cumulative dose of corticosteroids. In addition, therapies with anti-CD20 antibodies are used, but antigen-specific immune suppression-based treatments represent the future. AD - Department of Dermatology, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, 700115 Iasi, Romania AU - Popescu,Ioana ,Adriana AU - Statescu,Laura AU - Vata,Dan AU - Porumb-Andrese,Elena AU - Patrascu,Adriana ,Ionela AU - Grajdeanu,Ioana-Alina AU - Solovastru,Laura ,Gheuca DA - 2019/12/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2019.7964 EP - 5060 IS - 6 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - pemphigus autoimmune bullous diseases direct immunofluorescence microscopy corticotherapy azathioprine rituximab PY - 2019 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 5056 ST - Pemphigus vulgaris - approach and management (Review) T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - Pemphigus vulgaris - approach and management (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2019.7964 VL - 18 ER -