Photodynamic therapy as an alternative treatment for mycosis fungoides: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION

Mycosis fungoides is the most common cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Selection of appropriate treatment for mycosis fungoides (MF) is based on prognostic factors and overall clinical stage at diagnosis. In the past decade, clinical success has been reported using photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an alternative target-specific therapy to treat mycosis fungoides. This review aimed to summarize the current advances in management of mycosis fungoides by administration of photodynamic therapy.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Twenty-four articles, published between 1994 and 2017, were reviewed to assess the efficacy of PDT for MF.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Methyl-aminolevulinic acid has increased lipophilic properties; red light at around 630 nm achieves deepest and best tissue penetration. However, the total number of PDT sessions depends on the clinical response.

CONCLUSIONS

Further multicenter clinical studies are warranted to assess the cost-effectiveness of PDT.