Source
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
UVA1 radiation seems to be effective in morphea. CD34+ dendritic cells are significantly decreased in lesional skin of morphea patients.
OBJECTIVE:
We evaluated the therapeutic effectiveness of medium-dose UVA1 phototherapy in localized scleroderma and its effect in the number of dermal CD34+ dendritic cells in skin biopsy specimens of these patients.
METHOD:
Patients were irradiated with UVA1 (30 J/cm(2)) 30 times. Dermal CD34+ dendritic cells were counted before and after therapy.
RESULTS:
There was clinical improvement after UVA1 irradiation. Dermal CD34+ dendritic cells significantly increased after UVA1 irradiation.
CONCLUSION:
Medium-dose UVA1 therapy is effective in the treatment of localized morphea. Effectiveness is associated with an increase in the number of CD34+ dendritic cells in the dermis.