Phototherapy of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas

Research output: Journal article (peer-reviewed)Review article

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are a heterogenous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas arising in the skin. Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common variant, is characterised by clonal proliferation of skin residing malignant T-cells. Initially appearing with erythematous patches and plaques it follows a chronic course with progression to cutaneous tumours and extracutaneous involvement in some patients. Phototherapy with ultraviolet A radiation combined with 8-methoxypsoralen (PUVA) and with narrow-band ultraviolet B radiation (NB-UVB) are among the first line options for the treatment of MF and can induce remission in most patients. Sézary syndrome (SS) is a rare and more aggressive CTCL variant with generalized skin involvement. Patients with SS and with erythroderma from MF can benefit from treatment with extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) where peripheral blood is exposed to PUVA. Phototherapy can be safely combined with systemic agents, most notably interferon-alpha and retinoids. Another photoresponsive CTCL variant is lymphomatoid papulosis (LP), a CD30+ lymphoproliferative disease characterised by chronically recurring papules. The disease responds favourably to PUVA but low dose methotrexate might be preferred for long term disease control. Recently updated treatment guidelines have been published to provide evidence-based algorithms for the stage-oriented treatment of MF, SS and LP. Areas of uncertainty are treatment schedules that are currently not optimised for CTCL, the use of phototherapy for maintenance, and the value of ultraviolet A1 radiation, excimer lasers, and photodynamic therapy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1904-1912
Number of pages9
JournalPhotochemical and Photobiological Sciences
Volume17
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 05 Dec 2018

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/therapy
  • Lymphomatoid Papulosis/therapy
  • Methoxsalen/therapeutic use
  • Mycosis Fungoides/therapy
  • Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use
  • Phototherapy
  • Skin Neoplasms/therapy
  • Ultraviolet Rays

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