Long-term application of extracorporeal photochemotherapy in severe atopic dermatitis - 07/09/11
Abstract |
Background: Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) using UVA irradiation of enriched leukocytes in the presence of methoxsalen as a photoactivatable substrate has been employed for the treatment of several immunologically mediated disorders. Objective: Our purpose was to determine the efficacy and safety of long-term ECP in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis. Methods: Fourteen patients with severe recalcitrant atopic dermatitis were treated with ECP in an open clinical trial at 2-week intervals. Disease activity was scored before each ECP cycle by means of a standardized protocol. Results: A complete clinical remission was achieved in 4 patients (29%). Five patients (36%) experienced a substantial response with reduction of skin inflammation by at least 75%, whereas in one patient (7%) disease activity was reduced by more than 50%. Four patients were withdrawn from the study for unresponsiveness. No clinical signs of immunosuppression or other severe adverse events became evident. Conclusion: Long-term ECP may have significant beneficial effects on the course of atopic dermatitis and should therefore be considered as a treatment modality for patients suffering from severe and otherwise refractory atopic skin disease. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40:577-82.)
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Supported in part through a bequest of an anonymous patient. |
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Reprint requests: Bettina Prinz, MD, Department of Dermatology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Frauenlobstrasse 9-11, D-80337 Munich, FRG. |
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0190-9622/99/$8.00 + 0 16/1/96268 |
Vol 40 - N° 4
P. 577-582 - avril 1999 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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