Background: Although parch-stage mycosis fungoides (MF) has a generally goo
d prognosis, and long-term survival rates with current therapies UV-B, phot
ochemotherapy, topical nitrogen mustards, electron-beam therapy) are simila
r, there is concern regarding their potential adverse effects. Narrowband o
r TL-01 UV-B phototherapy (311 nm), in use for more than 10 years, is more
effective than broadband UV-B for the treatment of psoriasis, with an effic
acy approaching that of psoralen UV-A. This open study assesses TL-01 as an
alternative therapy for patch-stage MF.
Observations: Eight white patients (4 men, 4 women, age range, 66-83 years)
with histologically proven patch-stage MF received TL-01 phototherapy 3 ti
mes weekly using a standard protocol. Complete clearance of MF was achieved
in 6 cases in a mean of 9 weeks or 26 treatments (range, 20-37 weeks) and
4 patients have had prolonged remissions. Mean duration of clinical improve
ment has born 20 months (range, 11-40 months). Partial response to TL-01 or
poor histologic improvement was associated with rapid relapse.
Conclusions: TL-01 is an effective, convenient therapy that may have less r
isk of long-term adverse effects than current alternatives. Although larger
prospective studies are necessary, For some patients intermittent courses
of TL-01 may offer effective long-term therapy.