A Bright Light in Preventing Acute Cutaneous Graft-vs.-Host Disease

UVB phototherapy decreased acute GvHD, perhaps by action on Langerhans cells.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a potentially life-threatening consequence of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, and the skin is the most frequently affected organ. Prognosis worsens with increasing skin disease severity, and mortality can be high in those with extensive involvement. Studies in animal models have shown that epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) are a necessary component in the development of cutaneous GvHD. Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is known to eliminate LCs from the epidermis. In this clinical study in 17 recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, investigators administered six broadband UVB treatments every other day beginning the day after transplantation to see whether depletion of…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)