Clinical results of photochemotherapy. The Cleveland Clinic experience

PUVA therapy has proved to be beneficial for dermatologic conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and mycosis fungoides. Attempts have been made to treat other diseases with the modality; five patients with pityriasis rubra pilaris were treated, with only a partial response noted in one. A poor to fair response was seen in treating a small group of patients with cystic acne, atopic dermatitis, and neurodermatitis. As might be expected, no response was seen in one patient with Darier's disease. At present, photochemotherapy must be viewed with cautious optimism. Strict adherence to a rational treatment approach and close longterm follow-up observations are essential for determining the safety of this modality.