The Effects of Non‐Interval PUVA Therapy on the Plaque Stage of Mycosis Fungoides

Abstract

The effectiveness of non-interval topical PUVA treatment was studied in four patients with mycosis fungoides at the plaque stage. Five regions of each patient were exposed to UVA immediately, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes, after topical application of 8-methoxypsoralen, respectively. The effects of these treatments were evaluated by clinical appearance and histological findings after the 20th treatment. All five regions were more improved clinically and histologically than the control region, which was not given PUVA therapy. There were no clear differences clinically among these five regions. Biopsy specimens from each region revealed the disappearance of epidermotropism and a marked decrease in atypical mononuclear cell infiltrations in the dermis. From these data, we concluded that there were no clear differences between these five treatments clinically or histologically and that non-interval PUVA therapy is useful for the early stages of mycosis fungoides. To our knowledge, this is the first report of non-interval PUVA therapy for mycosis fungoides.

Guidelines for topical PUVA: a report of a workshop of the British Photodermatology Group

“…There are a few reported studies of the use of other topical psoralen preparations such as paints, ointments and lotions ( Table 1a), these having been applied principally in chronic hand and foot dermatoses (see previous section), but also sometimes used for the treatment of other sites. Disorders treated include vitiligo, 37 , 38 morphoea, 39 mycosis fungoides, 40 atopic dermatitis 41 and uraemic pruritis . 42 Various products, concentrations and protocols are employed, and very little is known about their optimal use.…”