[Intravenous immunoglobulin (TVIG) therapy in pemphigus]

Pemphigus is a rare, chronic, autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disease. Treatment of pemphigus is often challenging and primarily consists of systemic corticosteroids and various immunosuppressants. When these therapies are used, we should always be careful for the side effects of long-term treatment. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is one potential and promising therapy for patients with pemphigus, and evidence of its effectiveness and safety is increasing. A number of pemphigus patients in which IVIG treatment was beneficial have been reported. However, the mode of action of IVIG in autoimmune diseases, including pemphigus, is far from being completely understood. We here summarize the efficacy and safety profile of IVIG in pemphigus, as well as its proposed modes of action.