Treatment of early stages of mycosis fungoides with narrowband ultraviolet B. A clinical, histological and molecular evaluation of results.

BACKGROUND: Narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy is increasingly used in mycosis fungoides (MF). OBJECTIVE: We report on the results obtained in a prospective series of early MF patients receiving this therapeutic regimen. METHODS: In total, 22 patients were treated. Therapeutic results were evaluated on clinical, histological and molecular levels. Patients were then submitted to a clinical follow-up. RESULTS: The cumulative number of treatments ranged from 22 to 48 (mean: 29). A complete clinical remission (CCR) was obtained in 18/22 patients, and a partial clinical remission in 4 cases. Complete or partial histological responses were achieved in 9/15 (all in CCR) and 4/15 patients, respectively. The molecular response was evaluated in 12 patients, and a disappearance of the dominant T cell clone in the skin was obtained in only 3 cases. After 4-48 months of follow-up (mean 20.1 months), 7/18 patients in CCR (39%) relapsed. CONCLUSION: Narrowband UVB phototherapy is a well-tolerated treatment of early-stage MF, and its efficiency is maximal in very early stages (Ia). Even though clinical results seem very similar to PUVA through indirect and tentative comparisons with historical series, relapses tend to occur earlier than with PUVA, especially when an incomplete histological or molecular response was achieved.