I just found these informations that maybe could be useful to you. I
suggest you to discuss about them with your physician anyway.
Like other auto-immune disorders, in PV autoantibodies target a
component of keratinocytes called "PVA".
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute have successfully
identified the DNA sequence of PVA and shown that it belongs to a family
of cells called cadherins. These cadherins are commonly
involved in maintaining the structure of organs, including the body's
largest organ -- the skin. The discovery that PVA is in fact a cadherin,
offers new insight into how PV works to destroy and
disrupt normal bodily functions.
Treatments, many quite successful, center on the
use of steroids such as prednisone and other corticosteroid medications.
Chemotherapeutic immuno-suppressive drugs such as Imuran and Cytoxan are
also administered to offset the disabling and toxic side effects of
long-term prednisone use.
Ask your doctor about that.
I think your doctor is using antibiotics mainly to prevent infections of
the lesions. However, it would be advisable to contact also a
dermatologist for specific treatments like the ones mentioned above.
But remember: always take in consideration the doctor's suggestions! If,
anyway your doctor does not satisfy you, go and visit a spacialist.
Do not start any drug treatment by yourself! That could be even more
dangerous than the desease.
I think you can get informations, specialists' addresses and patient
support at the e-mail: PVNEWS at AOL.com, or snail-mail: the National
Pemphigus Vulgaris Foundation : 1098 Euclid Ave, Berkeley, CA 94708 :
Telephone 510.527.4970.
Hope it helps. G. Maga.
