Photodynamic therapy with methyl-aminolaevulinic acid for mycosis fungoides

Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. There are a wide range of treatments for early-stage and advanced-stage mycosis fungoides. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a new treatment modality due to its safety and efficacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of PDT with methyl-aminolaevulinic acid (MAL) for the treatment of mycosis fungoides. Ten patients with mycosis fungoides were enrolled in this study. A 16.8% MAL cream was applied under occlusive dressing for 3 h. The lesion was irradiated at 37.5 J/cm2 with red light. The patients underwent two sessions of PDT at one-week intervals. Follow-up biopsy was performed 3 months after the last treatment. In case of partial response, treatment was repeated once a week until complete response. Seven patients had a good therapeutic response. Complete and partial responses were seen in 5 and 2 patients, respectively. During the follow-up period (8-31 months), 6 of the 7 patients remained in stable remission. The treatment was well-tolerated overall, and no patients discontinued the PDT due to pain. In conclusion, PDT with MAL is a fast, effective and well-tolerated treatment for unilesional mycosis fungoides.