Cholestasis-induced pruritus treated with ultraviolet B phototherapy: an observational case series study.

Background & Aims: Pruritus is a disabling complication of cholestatic liver disorders. Its management remains challenging. Ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy has been successfully used to treat pruritus in other indications.

Porphyria cutanea tarda and liver disease. A retrospective analysis of 17 cases from a single centre and review of the literature.

Background/aims: Sporadic Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (sPCT) is associated with liver disease, e.g. HCV infection, haemochromatosis and especially alcoholic liver disease.

Topical methyl aminolaevulinate photodynamic therapy versus cryotherapy for superficial basal cell carcinoma: a 5 year randomized trial.

This multicentre, randomized study compared photodynamic therapy using topical methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL PDT), a non-invasive modality, with cryotherapy for treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma. Sixty patients with 114 lesions were treated with MAL cream (160 mg/g) applied for 3 hours before illumination (570-670 nm, light dose 75 J/cm) (1 session), and 58 with 105 lesions received cryotherapy (2 freeze-thaw cycles). Patients with an incomplete response at 3 months received 2 further MAL PDT sessions (n = 20) or repeat cryotherapy (n = 16).

Real-life practice study of the clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of photodynamic therapy using methyl aminolevulinate (MAL-PDT) in the management of actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma.

Clinical trials have shown that photodynamic therapy using methyl aminolevulinate (MAL-PDT) is an effective treatment for actinic keratosis (AK), and nodular and superficial basal cell carcinoma (nBCC and sBCC) unsuitable for other available therapies. Economic evaluation models have shown that it is a cost effective intervention as well. The objectives of this prospective, observational, one arm study were (i) to verify in a real-life practice study the results obtained in previous clinical trials with MAL-PDT in the treatment of AK, nBCC and sBCC; (ii) to calculate the real-life cost of treatment and validate predictions from an economic evaluation model.

Allergic and photoallergic contact dermatitis from ketoprofen: results of (photo) patch testing and follow-up of 42 patients.

Background: Photoallergic contact dermatitis from topical ketoprofen (KP), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, is a well-known side effect.

Objectives: To investigate photo-contact allergic reactions to KP and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sunscreens, and fragrance components as well as the presence of prolonged photosensitivity related to it.

Patients/methods: From June 1993 to June 2007, 42 patients were patch tested and photopatch tested with the ingredients of a KP preparation and other relevant substances.

Influence of application and formulation factors on the penetration of hypericin in normal mouse skin and UV induced skin tumors.

Hypericin, a naturally occurring photosensitizer, is currently being investigated for topical use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). In a previous study, it was found that hypericin can be delivered in the epidermis of hairless mouse skin after a 4-h application in Beeler base. With the intention to further optimize the penetration conditions, the present study examines the effect of the concentration of hypericin in the cream, the application time, the presence of penetration enhancers and occlusion on the penetration of hypericin in the skin of hairless mice.

Effect of vehicles and esterification on the penetration and distribution of hypericin in the skin of hairless mice.

To study the in vivo penetration and skin distribution of hypericin, the compound (0.1%) was formulated in 10 different vehicles that are commonly used in pharmaceutical compounding, and applied on the skin of hairless mice for 4h. After application of hypericin in PEG ointment, white petrolatum or unguentum emulsificans, fluomicroscopic analysis of skin sections revealed penetration to be confined to the stratum corneum.

Guidelines on the use of photodynamic therapy for nonmelanoma skin cancer: an international consensus. International Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Dermatology, 2005.

Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used to treat nonmelanoma skin cancers, such as actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease, and basal cell carcinoma (superficial and nodular). This article presents up-to-date, practical, evidence-based recommendations on the use of topical PDT using 5-aminolevulinic acid or methyl aminolevulinate for the treatment (and prevention) of nonmelanoma skin cancers. A systematic literature review was conducted (using MEDLINE), and recommendations were made on the basis of the quality of evidence for efficacy, safety/tolerability, cosmetic outcome, and patient satisfaction/preference.

Protection from visible light by commonly used textiles is not predicted by ultraviolet protection.

Interest is increasing in the prevention of acute and chronic actinic damage provided by clothing. This interest has focused mainly on protection against ultraviolet irradiation, but it has now also turned to protection against visible light. This change is mainly due to the action spectrum in the visible light range of some photodermatoses and the increasing interest in photodynamic therapy.

Diagnosis and treatment of solar urticaria.

Solar urticaria is one of the most annoying of the photodermatoses. It can be difficult to diagnosis because of phototesting problems, and it is not easy to treat. The different treatment modalities available all have their practical problems, so it is difficult to provide the patient with adequate protection.

Photo(chemo) therapy for vitiligo.

Vitiligo has always been difficult to treat. Several modes of treatment are available, but the therapeutic effect varies greatly, and rarely does one achieve complete repigmentation. One of the most efficient treatment methods is photo(chemo) therapy.

The history of phototherapy: something new under the sun?

Phototherapy has a very long, albeit mostly anecdotal history. Real interest in the use of ultraviolet irradiation in the treatment of various diseases started in the 19th century and reached a climax when Niels Finsen received the Nobel Prize in 1903 for his therapeutic results with lupus vulgaris. This marked the start of modern phototherapy.