BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (EXP) is an immunomodulating therapy that has been used in a limited number of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSC) with controversial results. The present study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of extended EXP with extracorporeal application of liquid 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) in the treatment of SSC. METHODS: Eleven women with progressive SSC of recent onset were treated for a period of 16-57 months. Skin changes, physical performance, extracutaneous manifestations, and quality of life were evaluated before initiation of EXP and at regular intervals thereafter. RESULTS: From the start to the last set of EXP, we observed an overall improvement and/or stabilization of skin changes and physical performance in 5 of 11 patients (45%). Extracutaneous manifestations deteriorated in 10 of 11 patients (91%) (P<0.05), and quality of life deteriorated in 9 of 11 patients (82%) from a mean score of 10 before, to 17 at the last set of EXP (P<0.05). No major side effects were noted. CONCLUSION: Extended EXP with extracorporeal administration of 8-MOP is a safe and well tolerated treatment modality. However, it provides only (minor) improvement of skin changes of a subset of SSC patients and does not beneficially influence extracutaneous manifestations and quality of life.
BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (EXP) is an immunomodulating therapy that has been used in a limited number of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSC) with controversial results. The present study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of extended EXP with extracorporeal application of liquid 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) in the treatment of SSC. METHODS: Eleven women with progressive SSC of recent onset were treated for a period of 16-57 months. Skin changes, physical performance, extracutaneous manifestations, and quality of life were evaluated before initiation of EXP and at regular intervals thereafter. RESULTS: From the start to the last set of EXP, we observed an overall improvement and/or stabilization of skin changes and physical performance in 5 of 11 patients (45%). Extracutaneous manifestations deteriorated in 10 of 11 patients (91%) (P<0.05), and quality of life deteriorated in 9 of 11 patients (82%) from a mean score of 10 before, to 17 at the last set of EXP (P<0.05). No major side effects were noted. CONCLUSION: Extended EXP with extracorporeal administration of 8-MOP is a safe and well tolerated treatment modality. However, it provides only (minor) improvement of skin changes of a subset of SSC patients and does not beneficially influence extracutaneous manifestations and quality of life.
Authors: R Knobler; G Berlin; P Calzavara-Pinton; H Greinix; P Jaksch; L Laroche; J Ludvigsson; P Quaglino; W Reinisch; J Scarisbrick; T Schwarz; P Wolf; P Arenberger; C Assaf; M Bagot; M Barr; A Bohbot; L Bruckner-Tuderman; B Dreno; A Enk; L French; R Gniadecki; H Gollnick; M Hertl; C Jantschitsch; A Jung; U Just; C-D Klemke; U Lippert; T Luger; E Papadavid; H Pehamberger; A Ranki; R Stadler; W Sterry; I H Wolf; M Worm; J Zic; C C Zouboulis; U Hillen Journal: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol Date: 2014-01 Impact factor: 6.166
Authors: R Knobler; P Arenberger; A Arun; C Assaf; M Bagot; G Berlin; A Bohbot; P Calzavara-Pinton; F Child; A Cho; L E French; A R Gennery; R Gniadecki; H P M Gollnick; E Guenova; P Jaksch; C Jantschitsch; C Klemke; J Ludvigsson; E Papadavid; J Scarisbrick; T Schwarz; R Stadler; P Wolf; J Zic; C Zouboulis; A Zuckermann; H Greinix Journal: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol Date: 2020-09-22 Impact factor: 9.228