Association of oral pemphigus with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Pemphigus is a bullous autoimmune disease of the skin and mucosae. Recently pemphigus has been associated with malignant disorders originating from several tissues. Two cases of oral pemphigus associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are reported. Direct immunofluorescence studies of oral biopsy material showed a pattern consistent with pemphigus in both cases. The nature of the anti-ICS antibodies was IgG. However, in one case anti-ICS antibodies were detected in the serum while in the other anti-striated-muscle autoantibodies were present. The clinical course and interrelationship of the two disorders are discussed.