Photodynamic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis?
OBJECTIVE
The only early surgical therapy of rheumatoid arthritis is synovectomy. But even an arthroscopic synovectomy is restricted to more or less big joints. It has been shown recently that for smaller joints a laser synovectomy is possible but more time-consuming than with mechanical instruments. An alternative method may be photodynamic therapy.


METHODS
In this study, possible photodynamic effects of Chloroquine, Methotrexate, Piroxicam, and Sodium Morrhuate were examined using a cell culture model of human synovial fibroblasts from patients having rheumatoid arthritis.


RESULTS
Incubation with Chloroquine or Methotrexate and subsequent laser irradiation at a wavelength of 351 nm resulted in an at least twenty-fold enhanced cytotoxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Both substances therefore may serve for a photodynamic therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.
Hendrich
C
C
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Würzburg, Germany.
Siebert
W E
WE
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012976:Sodium Morrhuate / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D010894:Piroxicam; D012976:Sodium Morrhuate; D002738:Chloroquine; D008727:Methotrexate