Mucous membrane pemphigoid

Abstract

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a term categorizing a group of autoimmune sub-epithelial blistering diseases affecting primarily mucous membrane areas. These diseases mainly affect one or more mucous membranes, and can also affect the skin in a minor fashion. The common features that define this group of diseases are: (1). Mucous membranes are the predominantly affected areas; (2). Pathology of the lesional epithelium demonstrates a sub-epithelial blister; (3). Immunopathology of the peri-lesional epithelium shows linear deposition of immunoglobulin and/or complement component (C3) at the epithelial basement membrane. The therapeutic strategy should be based on both the progressiveness of the disease and the specific mucous membranes affected. Systemic treatments currently available for physicians to employ include dapsone, corticosteroids, immunosuppressives, intravenous immunoglobulin, and, most recently, biologics such as rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to mature B cells.