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Published on: June 17, 2025
Successful treatment of mucous membrane pemphigoid with etanercept in 3 patients
Maria J Canizares1, David I Smith, Michael S Conners
1Division of Dermatology, Department of Ophthalmology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
Background:
Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), also known as cicatricial pemphigoid, is a serious, autoimmune, blistering disorder that can result in blindness and other complications as a result of scarring of the mucous membranes. Effective treatment modalities are often toxic. Herein, we describe a novel therapeutic approach that is based on 2 reports in the literature of the successful use of etanercept to treat MMP.
Observations:
Three patients with MMP were treated with subcutaneous injections of 25 mg of etanercept twice weekly. All 3 patients had oral mucosal involvement, and 1 had severe, recalcitrant, ocular disease. Oral mucosal disease improved in all 3 patients. The patient with ocular involvement experienced stabilization of progression.
Conclusions:
Effective treatment modalities for MMP are often toxic. Etanercept may be an effective treatment option for MMP of the oral and ocular mucous membranes. This therapy should be considered as an alternative treatment option for patients who would require other aggressive systemic treatments, such as cyclophosphamide, corticosteroids, azathioprine sodium, and intravenous immunoglobulin.
Insights
Etanercept shows promise in treating mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), a severe autoimmune blistering disease. This novel approach offers a potentially less toxic alternative for managing oral and ocular manifestations of MMP.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), or cicatricial pemphigoid, is a severe autoimmune blistering disease.
- MMP can lead to blindness and scarring of mucous membranes.
- Current treatments for MMP are often toxic.
Observation:
- Three patients with MMP received subcutaneous etanercept injections (25 mg twice weekly).
- All patients had oral mucosal involvement; one had severe ocular disease.
- Oral lesions improved in all patients, and ocular disease progression stabilized.
Findings:
- Etanercept demonstrated efficacy in treating oral mucosal lesions in MMP patients.
- Etanercept stabilized the progression of severe ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.
- The treatment was administered subcutaneously at 25 mg twice weekly.
Implications:
- Etanercept may be an effective and less toxic alternative for MMP treatment.
- Consider etanercept for patients with oral or ocular MMP.
- This offers an alternative to aggressive systemic therapies like cyclophosphamide or corticosteroids.