Immunologic evaluation in mycosis fungoides. Before and after PUVA therapy

Eight patients with mycosis fungoides (seven in plaque stage and one with tumors) were successfully treated with methoxalen-ultraviolet-A (PUVA) photochemotherapy. A selective immunity evaluation had been carried out prior to starting treatment and was repeated sevedn to 33 months (mean, 22 months) later. The results of pre-PUVA and post-PUVA therapy evaluation were compared. The delayed hypersensitivity responses improved in all eight patients, and four patients who were anergic before treatment manifested a normal response after PUVA therapy. The T lymphocyte counts were reduced in four patients before PUVA therapy (mean +/- SD, 66.72% +/- 9.78%) and in seven patients after PUVA (mean +/- SD, 54.43% +/- 10.86%; P = .03). The results of mitogen stimulation studies with phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, and concanavalin A were equivocal. The levels of serum immunoglobulins were not affected. One patient had a positive antinuclear factor test of low titer.