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Published on: May 6, 2018
UV-A1 therapy for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.
Kien T Tran1, Heidi B Prather, Clay J Cockerell
1Department of Dermatology, University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9069, USA.
Archives of Dermatology
|October 21, 2009
Summary
UV-A1 phototherapy shows promise for treating Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), a rare skin condition. This treatment improved skin induration and mobility in patients with end-stage renal disease when transplantation was not an option.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) is a rare, debilitating skin condition linked to end-stage renal disease and gadolinium exposure.
- Current therapeutic options for NSF are limited, primarily focusing on gadolinium avoidance and renal function improvement via transplantation.
- In some cases, transplantation is not feasible, necessitating alternative treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of UV-A1 phototherapy as a treatment for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).
- To assess the impact of UV-A1 phototherapy on skin induration and patient mobility in NSF patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Main Methods:
- A case series involving four patients diagnosed with NSF who received UV-A1 phototherapy between 2005 and 2007.
- All participating patients remained on hemodialysis throughout the UV-A1 treatment period.
- Treatment duration varied from 22 to 50 sessions, with cumulative UV-A1 doses ranging from 1855 J/cm(2) to 3850 J/cm(2).
Main Results:
- All four patients demonstrated improvement in the degree of skin induration.
- Two patients experienced enhanced mobility in their hands and legs following UV-A1 therapy.
- No adverse events were reported during the course of the phototherapy treatments.
Conclusions:
- UV-A1 phototherapy offers a potential treatment option for NSF, particularly when kidney transplantation is not viable or is delayed.
- While complete resolution of NSF plaques was not achieved, substantial clinical improvement was observed.
- Further research, including controlled trials and standardized severity grading, is warranted to fully establish UV-A1 therapy's role in NSF management.
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