Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy
Published on: August 17, 2018
Photo(chemo)therapy for vitiligo
Alessia Pacifico1, Giovanni Leone
1Photodermatology Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Roma, Italy.
Abstract:
Vitiligo is a common skin disease characterized by loss of normal melanin pigments in the skin and its pathogenesis is still unclear. Treatment modalities include psoralen plus ultraviolet A, narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB UVB) phototherapy, topical and systemic steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical vitamin D analogues in monotherapy or in association with phototherapy, and surgical treatment. NB UVB (310-315 nm) radiation is now considered as the 'gold standard' for the treatment of diffuse vitiligo, and treatment with two recently introduced UVB sources that emit 308 nm wavelengths, the 308 nm xenon chloride (XeCl) excimer laser and the 308 nm XeCl excimer light, has also been reported to be effective and might be the treatment of choice for localized disease: this treatment modality has been defined as 'targeted phototherapy.'
Related Concept Videos
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Tumor Immunotherapy
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
