Phototherapy in dermatology: A call for action - 16/05/15

Doi : 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.03.017

Henry W. Lim, MD ^a,^⁎ , Narumol Silpa-archa, MD ^a,^b, Ugochukwu Amadi, BS ^c, Alan Menter, MD ^d, Abby S. Van Voorhees, MD ^e, Mark Lebwohl, MD ^f
^a Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
^b Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
^c University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
^d Division of Dermatology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
^e Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
^f Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York

^∗Correspondence to: Henry W. Lim, MD, Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Medical Center–New Center One, 3031 W Grand Blvd, Suite 800, Detroit, MI 48202.

Abstract

Of the wide range of treatment modalities available to dermatologists, few possess the history, efficacy, and safety of phototherapy. It should be emphasized that dermatologists are the only group of physicians optimally trained and qualified to understand the medical indications of phototherapy. Phototherapy, recognized for its cost-effectiveness, should remain a consideration in patient treatment. Continued training and education in residency and thereafter is needed to maintain the proficiency of physicians. In addition, payors need continued education to ensure that insurance coverage of phototherapy is not a barrier for patients to access this therapy. To further improve and optimize the outcome, phototherapy research needs to be supported.

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Key words : biologics, cost-effectiveness, cutaneous diseases, narrowband ultraviolet B, phototherapy, psoralen plus ultraviolet A, psoriasis, ultraviolet A1

Abbreviations used : NB, PUVA, UV

Plan

Phototherapy in the era of biologics

A call for action

	Funding sources: None.
	Disclosure: Dr Lim serves as a consultant for Ferndale, Uriage, Sanofi, and Johnson & Johnson. He has received grant support from Clinuvel, Estee Lauder, and Ferndale. Dr Menter is an advisory board member of AbbVie, Allergan, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Janssen Biotech, Leo Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer. He has received grant support from AbbVie, Allergan, Amgen, ApoPharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Convoy Therapeutics Inc, Genentech, Janssen Biotech, Leo Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Pfizer, Symbio/Maruho, and Syntrix. He has been a consultant for numerous companies including AbbVie, Allergan, Amgen, Convoy Therapeutics Inc, Eli Lilly & Co, Janssen Biotech, Leo Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Pfizer, Syntrix, Wyeth, and Xenoport. Dr Van Voorhees has served as an advisor for Amgen, AbbVie, Aqua, Celgene, Janssen, Leo Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, and Pfizer. She has received grants from Amgen and AbbVie. She has been a consultant for Amgen and has been a speaker for Amgen, AbbVie, and Janssen. She receives a portion of her ex-spouse's pension from Merck. Dr Lebwohl serves as a principal investigator for AbGenomics, Clinuvel, Celgene, Coronado Biosciences, and Leo Pharmaceuticals, and he is a subinvestigator for Centocor. He has been a consultant for numerous companies including AbGenomics, Amgen, Can-Fite, Columbia Laboratories Inc, Coronado Biosciences, Dermipsor, Dermira, Eli Lilly & Co, Janssen Ortho Biotech, Leo Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Thesan Pharmaceuticals, UCB, and Valeant. Dr Silpa-archa and Mr Amadi have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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