EXTRACORPOREAL PHOTOCHEMOTHERAPY IN PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Background. Extracorporeal photochemotherapy, an immune‐modulating form of therapy, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. We evaluated the effects of extracorporeal photochemotherapy in the treatment of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (pss). Methods. Nine patients with active progressive systemic sclerosis were treated with extracorporeal photochemotherapy on 2 successive days monthly. The duration of therapy ranged from 6 to 21 months. Results. A significant improvement was noted in the skin, musculoskeletal system, functional index, and symptoms including Raynaud's phenomenon, dyspnea, fatigue, dysphagia, and arthralgias, as well as improvement of cutaneous ulcers. Stabilization of the pulmonary function studies was also noted in the majority of patients over the course of therapy. No serious side effects were noted throughout the course of therapy in the 9 patients. Conclusions. The results suggest that photopheresis may be beneficial in selected early cases of progressive systemic sclerosis.