Photodynamic Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Cutaneous Sarcoidosis

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease. In more than 90% of the cases, sarcoidosis affects the lung with bilateral hilar adenopathy, while skin involvement occurs in about 25% of the cases. Whereas sarcoidosis of the lung is often successfully treated with oral corticosteroids, therapy of cutaneous sarcoidosis is frequently frustrating because some of the lesions may be refractory to treatment or recur quickly after resolution. We report two cases of cutaneous sarcoidosis successfully treated with photodynamic therapy, which represents an effective alternative therapy with fewer side effects.

Cutaneous Sarcoidosis

“…The use of aminolevulinic and methyl aminolevulinate acid in combination with both blue and red light has yielded beneficial results, but often with recurrence after discontinuation. [132][133][134] Ultraviolet A phototherapy also has been used with demonstrated improvement with 30 to 50 treatments. 135 With both photodynamic therapy and ultraviolet A phototherapy, risks include burning, erythema, and skin discomfort.…”

Clinical and histopathological analysis of specific lesions of cutaneous sarcoidosis in Korean patients

“…Recently, some reports demonstrated that laser therapy, including a Q-switched ruby laser or pulsed dye laser, is effective in cutaneous sarcoidosis by debulking the granulomatous lesions, possibly by activation of immunologic processes (18,20). Photodynamic therapy is also reported to be effective in refractory cases (21).…”

Generalized Granuloma Annulare Treated with Methylaminolevulinate Photodynamic Therapy

“…MAL-PDT is an established non-surgical treatment of cutaneous precancerous lesions and skin cancer. Recent studies suggest a possible immunomodulating effect of PDT [2,3,4,5,6,7]. Topically applied MAL sensitizes mainly keratinocytes.…”