UVA II exposure of human skin results in decreased immunization capacity, increased induction of tolerance and a unique pattern of epidermal antigen-presenting cell alteration.

The risks incurred from increased exposure to UVA II (320-340 nm) (i.e. during sunscreen use and extended outdoor exposure, tanning parlors) are not well understood.

Complete remissions in psoralen and UV-A (PUVA)-refractory mycosis fungoides-type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with combined interferon alfa and PUVA.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND AND DESIGN--The optimal therapy for the mycosis fungoides type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma has yet to be determined. Based on recent reports on the efficacy of high-dose interferon alfa in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, we chose to test the hypothesis that systemic adjunctive therapy with low-dose interferon alfa along with psoralen and long-wave UV-A radiation (PUVA) could decrease the amount of PUVA necessary to achieve the best response, as well as improve the therapeutic effect of PUVA. Five patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides type) were initially treated unsuccessfully with PUVA alone (three times a week for at least 3 months); PUVA was stopped, patients' diseases were re-staged, then interferon alfa (3 x 10(6) U/d for 1 week, then 6 x 10(6) U/d for 1 week) was initiated 2 weeks prior to restarting PUVA.

UV exposure reduces immunization rates and promotes tolerance to epicutaneous antigens in humans: relationship to dose, CD1a-DR+ epidermal macrophage induction, and Langerhans cell depletion.

Increasing UVB radiation at the earth's surface might have adverse effects on in vivo immunologic responses in humans. We prospectively randomized subjects to test whether epicutaneous immunization is altered by prior administration of biologically equalized doses of UV radiation. Multiple doses of antigens on upper inner arm skin (UV protected) were used to elicit contact sensitivity responses, which were quantitated by measuring increases in skin thickness.