title: Phototherapy and photopharmacology.
abstract: The activation of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) by long-wavelength ultraviolet A light (UVA, 320-400 nm) induces the formation of interstrand cross-links in DNA. Psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) is widely used in the treatment of psoriasis, a hyperproliferative disease of the skin. A new psoralen plus UVA therapy has been developed in which the 8-MOP-containing blood of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients is irradiated with UVA light extracorporeally (i.e., extracorporeal photopheresis). The first group of patients had the leukemic variant of CTCL. A regimen of two treatments on successive days at monthly intervals produced a clinical response in eight of 11 patients. In this review the properties of several psoralens (both naturally occurring and synthetic derivatives) are compared, using several assays (DNA cross-linking, inhibition of lymphocyte response to mitogen stimulation, and cell viability). The development of a panel of monoclonal antibodies that recognize 8-MOP-modified DNA is also described. These antibodies have been used to quantitate 8-MOP photoadduct levels in human DNA samples. In addition to the psoralens, the light activation of two other compounds, gilvocarcin and an insulin-psoralen conjugate, is described.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D011564:Furocoumarins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D010789:Phototherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011564:Furocoumarins; D004247:DNA; D008730:Methoxsalen