New applications of UVA-1 cold light therapy

Abstract

UVA 1 therapy is a relatively new form of light therapy for atopic dermatitis. We describe that after 4 weeks of UVA-1 patients were better capable to maintain clinical improvement than after 3 weeks of therapy. Furthermore, UVA 1 therapy proved to be better than placebo therapy in patients with dyshidrotic eczema. Also, we described the favorable effect of UVA 1 therapy in chronic, generalized lichen ruber planus. Because of deep penetration of UVA 1, it could not only influence dermal inflammatory infiltrates in T-cell mediated diseases mentioned above, but also reach circulating activated B-cells in dermal capillaries in SLE. We investigated the effect of 6 and 12 J/cm2 UVA 1 in SLE patients, in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross over study. Three weeks of 12 J/cm2 resulted in improved disease activity and proved to be more effective than placebo. Furthermore, a decrease of auto-antibody titers was observed in several patients. In vitro we showed that 40% of UVA 1 reached the dermis and increasing numbers of PBMCs died after rising doses of UVA-1. Also, immunoglobulin production by activated B cells decreased after increasing doses of UVA 1. It would be interesting to investigate UVA 1 therapy for other auto immune diseases.