TREATMENT OF PORPHYRIA-CUTANEA-TARDA BY THE EFFECT OF CHLOROQUINE ON THE LIVER

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is characterized by cutaneous symptoms i n association with hepatic accumulation and urinary excretion of mainl y uro- and heptacarboxyporphyrins. 24 PCT patients excreting urinary p orphyrins between 1.9 and 5.8 mu mol/24 h (normal <0.2) were treated w ith chloroquine at a dose of 125 mg twice a week. During the first pha se of therapy urinary porphyrin excretion transiently increased 1.1- t o 2.9-fold indicating a phase of mobilization. A slight initial elevat ion was also found regarding the activities of serum aminotransferases reflecting the hepatotoxic effect of chloroquine. The clinical sympto ms disappeared after a period ranging from 2 to 6 months, and after an average of 12 months the porphyrin excretion in all patients had retu rned to nearly normal values.