title: Therapeutic modalities for localized psoriasis: 308-nm UVB excimer laser versus nontargeted phototherapy.
abstract: UVB phototherapy is an effective treatment modality for psoriasis. For patients with localized plaque-type lesions, 308-nm excimer laser phototherapy offers rapidly delivered, targeted, high UVB doses, while sparing adjacent healthy skin. We aimed to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the 308-nm xenon chloride (XeCI) UVB excimer laser with nontargeted broadband UVB (BB-UVB), narrowband UVB (NB-UVB), and psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) phototherapies. A PubMed search for studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of the laser versus nontargeted phototherapeutic modalities was conducted. Three prospective nonrandomized studies compared NB-UVB with excimer laser phototherapy. No head-to-head studies were found for BB-UVB or PUVA compared to excimer laser. Both the 308-nm excimer laser and nontargeted phototherapies were found to effectively clear localized psoriasis. Although it is proposed that excimer laser exclusively treats diseased skin with better response rates, split-body trials revealed no differences. Long-term studies are necessary to compare the effects of high-dose excimer laser regimens with nontargeted phototherapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatology Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1071, USA.
authors.forename: Tejaswi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mudigonda
authors.forename: Tushar S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Dabade
authors.forename: Cameron E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011701:PUVA Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*