Intranasal PUVA phototherapy in nasal polyposis--a pilot study

Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol. 2010 Jan-Mar;69(1):20-3.

Abstract

Nasal polyposis (NP) affects 4% of the general population, representing a major health problem. In spite of complex (surgical and medical) treatment, the relapse rate is high and it has a negative impact on the quality of life. Recently we found that intranasal photochemotherapy with ultraviolet A light (PUVA) is effective in allergic rhinitis. In the present study PUVA was administered for 6 weeks in 7 patients with NP. Nasal lavages were performed in all patients before and at the end of the treatment; from four patients a biopsy specimen was also collected. Eosinophils significantly decreased in patients with NP and slightly in a patient who had associated aspirin sensitivity. IL-5 and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels showed a decreasing trend in patients with NP and an increasing trend in patients with associated aspirin sensitivity. Our results suggest that intranasal PUVA might represent a future therapeutic method in a subset of patients with NP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-5 / analysis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasal Polyps / drug therapy*
  • Nasal Polyps / pathology
  • PUVA Therapy*
  • Pilot Projects

Substances

  • Interleukin-5