Intravenous cyclophosphamide pulses in pyoderma gangrenosum: an open trial

To evaluate the potential efficacy of intravenous bolus cyclophosphamide (IVCY) in patients with pyoderma gangrenosum.

Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum seen in a period of 3 years in tertiary care referral center were included. Patients received IVCY 500 mg/m2 of body surface area, every month until reaching a maximum of 6 doses, or healing of their ulcers or a lack of response after 3 doses. Patients were assessed every month during the time they received IVCY and every 3 months thereafter. The assessments included number and size of ulcers, and a safety profile of the study drug. Complete remission was defined as 100% ulcer healing, partial remission as a decrease > or = 50% but less than 100%, and therapeutical failure if the size of the ulcer increased or decreased < 50%.

Nine patients were included, 6 were men, the mean age was 46 yrs (range 24-76). The mean disease duration was 3.3 yrs (range 1 week to 9 yrs). Four patients had idiopathic pyoderma gangrenosum, 3 had associated rheumatoid arthritis, and 2 had associated systemic lupus erythematosus. Complete remission was observed in 7 patients, partial in one, and failure in one. Relapses were observed, 3 months after the last IVCY (2 cases) and 12 months after the last IVCY (one case). Transitory thrombocytopenia and leukopenia developed in one patient and nausea and vomiting in another.

IVCY appears effective in controlling the lesions of pyoderma gangrenosum and inducing remission for a substantial period in many individuals.