Photobiomodulation as a treatment for dermatitis caused by chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell anal carcinoma: case report and literature review.

In-field dermatitis is a severe and common adverse effect of radiation therapy, that can cause significant pain and treatment interruptions in patients with squamous cell anal carcinoma (SCAC) being treated with radical chemoradiation protocols. There are no established therapies for the treatment of radiation induced dermatitis. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an effective and low-cost treatment for radiation induced mucositis, but have recently been explored to treat in-field dermatitis. We present a case report of the successful use of PBM for the treatment of dermatitis in the anal area in a patient with SCAC treated with concomitant chemoradiation with curative intent and follow with a literature review of the recent advances and possibilities of the use of PBM as a promising strategy. PBM therapy proved to be efficient in the radiodermatitis treatment, both in relieving the symptoms and controlling dermatitis, in addition to improving the patient's quality of life.

Photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy in the management of cancer therapy-induced mucositis, dermatitis and lymphedema.

PURPOSE OR REVIEW: There is a large body of evidence supporting the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) also known as PhotoBioModulation (PBM) when used for the prevention and/or treatment of oral mucositis in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, or high-dose chemotherapy regimens. This review aims at giving the state of the art of this technique in this indication. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent advances in LLLT/PBM technology, together with a better understanding of mechanisms involved and dosimetric parameters may lead to the management of a broader range of complications associated with cancer treatment. This could enhance patient adherence to cancer therapy, and improve quality of life and treatment outcomes. SUMMARY: The article discusses LLLT/PBM mechanisms of action, dosimetry, and safety, and aims to identify some cancer treatment side-effects for which LLLT/PBM may prove to be effective (oral mucositis, radiation dermatitis, lymphedema). In addition, LLLT/PBM parameters for each of these complications are suggested and future research directions are discussed.

Impact of UVA on pruritus during UVA/B phototherapy of inflammatory skin diseases: a randomized double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Narrowband (TL-01) UVB phototherapy (UVB nb) is effective in treating inflammatory skin disease. The addition of UVA is traditionally advocated to reduce pruritus, but lacks evidence for this recommendation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of UVB nb and UVA phototherapy in combination compared against UVB nb monotherapy on pruritus, disease activity and quality of life. METHODS: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 53 patients suffering from inflammatory skin diseases with pronounced itching (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pruritus ≥5) were randomized into two treatment groups. One group received UVB nb (311 nm) phototherapy alone and another group received a combination of UVB nb and UVA (320-400 nm) phototherapy. UV therapy was performed three times per week over 16 weeks. Pruritus (VAS and 5-D itch score), disease activity and quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index, DLQI) were assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16. RESULTS: In both treatment groups, there was a reduction in pruritus scores, disease activity and DLQI. No difference in pruritus score, disease activity and quality of life could be detected between the group receiving UVB nb alone and those receiving UVB nb combined with UVA. CONCLUSIONS: Phototherapy with UVB nb alone, and UVB nb combined with UVA are equally effective in treating inflammatory skin disease and indifferent in reducing disease-associated pruritus. Given this non-inferiority for UVB nb monotherapy, the recommendation of adding UVA to UVB nb phototherapy for pruritic inflammatory skin disease should be abandoned.

The efficacy of pulsed dye laser treatment for inflammatory skin diseases: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The position of the pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases is still unclear. Evidence-based recommendations are lacking. OBJECTIVES: We sought to systematically review all available literature concerning PDL treatment for inflammatory skin diseases and to propose a recommendation. METHODS: We searched for publications dated between January 1992 and August 2011 in the database PubMed. All studies reporting on PDL treatment for an inflammatory skin disease were obtained and a level of evidence was determined. RESULTS: Literature search revealed 52 articles that could be included in this study. The inflammatory skin diseases treated with PDL consisted of: psoriasis, acne vulgaris, lupus erythematodes, granuloma faciale, sarcoidosis, eczematous lesions, papulopustular rosacea, lichen sclerosis, granuloma annulare, Jessner lymphocytic infiltration of the skin, and reticular erythematous mucinosis. The efficacy of PDL laser treatment for these inflammatory skin diseases was described and evaluated. LIMITATIONS: Most conclusions formulated are not based on randomized controlled trials. CONCLUSIONS: PDL treatment can be recommended as an effective and safe treatment for localized plaque psoriasis and acne vulgaris (recommendation grade B). For all other described inflammatory skin diseases, PDL seems to be promising, although the level of recommendation did not exceed level C.

LED phototherapy improves healing of nipple trauma: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a LED phototherapy prototype apparatus in the healing of nipple trauma in breastfeeding women. BACKGROUND DATA: There is no scientific evidence of an effective treatment for nipple trauma. METHODS: The experimental group was treated with orientation on nipple care and adequate breastfeeding techniques in addition to active LED phototherapy. The control group was treated with orientation on nipple care and adequate breastfeeding techniques in addition to placebo LED phototherapy. Participants were treated twice a week, for a total of eight sessions. Healing of the nipple lesions was measured by a reduction in their area, and decrease in pain intensity was measured in accordance with an 11-point Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scale and a standard 7-point patient global impression of change. RESULTS: Statistically significant reductions in measured nipple lesion area (p<0.001) were observed for both the experimental and control groups with an increase in the number of treatment sessions. A significant difference between the experimental and control groups was observed for the healing of nipple lesions (p<0.001). The pain intensity was significantly reduced only in the experimental group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results demonstrated the prototype apparatus for LED phototherapy to be an effective tool in accelerating the healing of nipple trauma.

[New relevance of vitamin D3 metabolism in the skin]. / Neue Aspekte zur Bedeutung des Vitamin-D(3)-Stoffwechsels in der Haut.

Epidermal keratinocytes are the site of both UVB-induced photochemical conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to vitamin D(3) (25 OHD(3)) and the enzymatically controlled hydroxylation via 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) to the biologically active final product 1alpha,25-dihydroxy vitamin D(3) (1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3), calcitriol). The epidermal synthesis of calcitriol is of fundamental relevance because calcitriol regulates important cellular functions in keratinocytes and dermal immunocompetent cells. Calcitriol and other vitamin D-analogues are effective in the treatment of psoriasis because of their anti-proliferative and pro-differentiation effects. One mechanism for UVB-light therapy in psoriasis could be the induction of calcitriol synthesis. A better understanding of the metabolism of vitamin D(3) in the skin opens new perspectives for potential therapeutic applications of vitamin D analogues in inflammatory skin diseases. Further studies investigating the role of vitamin D(3) metabolism in the prevention of malignant skin disorders are needed.

Papular dermatitis (subacute prurigo, "itchy red bump" disease): pilot study of phototherapy.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with a subacute or chronic pruritic erythematous papular eruption are refractory to treatment. We previously described a number of these patients with papular dermatitis or subacute prurigo. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of different types of phototherapy for treatment of papular dermatitis. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 11 patients who were diagnosed with papular dermatitis and who underwent phototherapy within the last 5 years. RESULTS: Eleven patients had a total of 17 phototherapy courses: psoralen-UVA (PUVA; 9), UVA/UVB light (3), and UVB alone (5). Within the PUVA treatment group, three of nine patients experienced total clearing, and six of nine patients experienced partial improvement. Although patients in all groups relapsed with time, overall the PUVA-treated patients had the best response rate and the best chance of the condition remaining clear after treatment was stopped. CONCLUSION: PUVA may be an effective treatment for papular dermatitis. The frequency of relapse indicates that maintenance treatments may be necessary for long-term control of the disease.