The use of chlorambucil in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid.

Twenty-six patients with bullous pemphigoid were treated with a combination of chlorambucil and a systemic corticosteroid; 23 completed treatment. The corticosteroid requirement during therapy was reduced by 50% compared with that reported for corticosteroid and azathioprine, and the mean total duration of therapy was only 5 months. The side effects of chlorambucil have not been significant, but in 30% of the patients a mild transient thrombocytopenia developed. In one patient a more significant marrow suppression developed. Despite complete recovery, chlorambucil treatment was discontinued in this patient. There was no evidence that either the disease treated in this way or the treatment itself had an adverse effect on survival during therapy or for the mean follow-up period of 36 months. Patients who responded less well to treatment tended to be younger, and their disease was more severe in that a higher dosage was required for initial control. Patients in whom thrombocytopenia developed were older and had lower pretreatment platelet levels.