The monoclonal antibody rituximab is just as effective as systemic corticosteroids in treating patients with pemphigoid, but is associated with fewer adverse events, according to a systematic review.

The drug was also the only biologic agent to result in partial or complete remission, with Chinese clinicians finding no benefit from treatment with dupilumab, omalizumab or mepolizumab.

However, there was no difference in recurrence or long-term survival when comparing biologics with standard therapy, they report in the International Journal of Dermatology.

Their analysis of seven studies included 296 patients (mean age 74) with pemphigoid, of whom 135 received biologically based therapy during an average 19-week period.