Recurrence of Pemphigus Vulgaris Associated With Interleukin 2 Therapy

The document described a 65-year-old man whose pemphigus vulgaris, in remission for 10 years, recurred after receiving interleukin 2 therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma as part of a clinical trial. Following the second course of interleukin 2, he developed mouth ulcers and scalp erosions that did not respond to potent topical steroids or intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections. The diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris recurrence was confirmed through histologic and immunofluorescence studies. The patient was then treated with oral prednisone, and interleukin 2 therapy was stopped due to its ineffectiveness against the cancer and the triggering of pemphigus. The case suggests that interleukin 2 may activate autoantibody production and cause autoimmune diseases like pemphigus vulgaris to reemerge.