Psoralen plus long-wave UV-A (PUVA) and bexarotene therapy: An effective and synergistic combined adjunct to therapy for patients with advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND Multimodality biological response-modifier therapy that includes photopheresis, interferon, and bexarotene is the standard of care in our institution for advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with peripheral blood involvement. We added psoralen plus long-wave UV-A (PUVA) to this regimen in 5 patients with Sézary syndrome. OBSERVATIONS All patients responded with decreased Sézary counts, resolution of lymphadenopathy, and clearing of skin disease after the addition of PUVA. Adverse effects were well tolerated and managed via close clinical and laboratory follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The addition of PUVA to a multimodality immunomodulatory regimen in patients with Sézary syndrome can result in rapid and sustained remission of both skin and blood-borne disease. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed.