Successful use of cyclophosphamide and prednisone for initial treatment of pemphigus vulgaris.

Previous reports showed that cyclophosphamide used late in the treatment of patients with pemphigus vulgaris reduced the complications due to steroids. In this study, cyclophosphamide was used in the initial treatment of five patients with pemphigus vulgaris in combination with prednisone to avoid side-effects of prednisone. Two patients had no prior treatment with steroids for pemphigus. Results indicate that initial combined program may be a highly effective treatment method for pemphigus vulgaris. Followup from one to four years after treatment shows all five patients in remission; four require no medication.