Phototherapy and photochemotherapy for psoriasis

Emoke Racz, Errol P Prens

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Phototherapy is a first-line option for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Systematic reviews indicate near comparable efficacy of the different forms of phototherapy. Localized phototherapy can be an adjunctive treatment of recalcitrant plaques during systemic treatment of psoriasis. More than 200 psoralen-UV-A therapy treatment sessions is associated with an increased risk of keratinocytic cancers, whereas no increased risk has been demonstrated for narrow-band UV-B therapy. The mechanism of action of phototherapy in psoriasis is via inhibition of keratinocyte proliferation; induction of apoptosis in keratinocytes, dendritic, and T cells; and inhibition of Th1 and Th17 pathways, but activation of Th2.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)79-89
Number of pages11
JournalDermatologic clinics
Volume33
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan-2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis/radiation effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • DNA Damage/radiation effects
  • Dermatologic Agents/therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes/radiation effects
  • PUVA Therapy/adverse effects
  • Photochemotherapy/adverse effects
  • Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use
  • Psoriasis/drug therapy
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Retinoids/therapeutic use
  • T-Lymphocytes/radiation effects
  • Ultraviolet Therapy/adverse effects
  • Urocanic Acid/metabolism

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