A new psoralen-containing gel for topical PUVA therapy: development, and treatment results in patients with palmoplantar and plaque-type psoriasis, and hyperkeratotic eczema.
Topical photochemotherapy with psoralen and its derivatives 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) and 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), with UVA irradiation, was evaluated with regard to minimum phototoxic dose, concentration, timing of UVA irradiation and systemic and local side-effects, in healthy volunteers. Psoralen (0.005%) in aqueous gel was found to be superior to TMP and 8-MOP in aqueous gel. No hyperpigmentation was seen after topical PUVA treatment with psoralen in aqueous gel. Patients with plaque-type psoriasis (n = 7), palmoplantar psoriasis (n = 7) and hyperkeratotic eczema (n = 2) were treated. Topical PUVA therapy was effective in most psoriasis patients, without the occurrence of local or systemic side-effects. Moreover, hyperkeratotic eczema patients who did not respond to conventional therapy showed partial remission. These results indicate that topical PUVA therapy with psoralen in aqueous gel is a useful therapeutic modality for treatment of psoriasis patients, and patients with recalcitrant dermatoses such as palmoplantar psoriasis and hyperkeratotic eczema.
De Rie
M A
MA
Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department of Dermatology, The Netherlands.
Van Eendenburg
J P
JP
Versnick
A C
AC
Stolk
L M
LM
Bos
J D
JD
Westerhof
W
W
D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005363:Ficusin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008730:Methoxsalen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014307:Trioxsalen / Q000008:administration & dosage
D005782:Gels; D005363:Ficusin; D008730:Methoxsalen; D014307:Trioxsalen