Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) and its therapeutic strategies

Abstract

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is an autoimmune subepithelial blistering disease. Oral and ocular mucosae are the most frequently afected areas, but the nasopharynx, esophagus, larynx and anogenital region can also be involved. It is characterized by linear deposition of IgG, IgA, or C3 along the basement membrane zone. In low-risk cases topical, intralesional corticosteroids are administered, together with anti-infammatory, immunomodulatory (dapsone) drugs or antibiotics (doxycycline). In severe, high-risk cases we apply systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppresive agents, or biological therapies (rituximab and anti-tumour necrosis factor drugs), or combination treatment of rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG)