title: [Extracorporeal photochemotherapy in therapy-refractory subacute lupus].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Extracorporeal photopheresis is a leukapheresis therapy that uses psoralen and ultraviolet A irradiation. We report the case of a woman with a refractory sub acute lupus which dramatically but transitionally responded to extracorporeal photopheresis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This women, born in 1960, developed erythematous and squamous patches located on face and neckline, associated with hyperpigmented and atrophic lesions on the arms and shoulders. Investigations confirmed the diagnosis of subacute lupus without systemic disease. All lesions progressed, despite all conventional therapies leading to major aesthetic prejudice. Extracorporeal photopheresis was initiated, and after two months, all lesions, including atrophic and healing lesions had regressed, but laboratory abnormalities did not change. Extracorporeal photopheresis was well tolerated. However, treatment was discontinued nine months later, since the cutaneous lesions relapsed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extracorporeal photopheresis could be efficient in the treatment of cutaneous autoimmune diseases through several immunomodulatory mechanisms. Extracorporeal photopheresis is a potent alternative agent in the therapy of refractory dermatological diseases
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Sainte Marguerite, Marseille, France. mrichard@mail.ap-hm.fr
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saadallah
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lefevre
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poullin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buscaylet
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Grob
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008177:Lupus Vulgaris / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017893:Photopheresis; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine