Successful use of the excimer laser for generalized psoriasis in an ustekinumab non-responder
General Material Designation
[Article]
First Statement of Responsibility
Malakouti, Mona; Brown, Gabrielle Elena; Sorenson, Eric; Leon, Argentina; Koo, John; Levin, Ethan Charles
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
Effective treatments for moderate to severe psoriasis are phototherapy and biologics. These treatments are similar in that they both decrease cutaneous immune system hyperactivity yet do so via different mechanisms. Our patient, a 63 year old Asian male had a rapid response to treatment with the high dose excimer laser, having previously failed treatment with 28 weeks of ustekinumab therapy. A pre-treatment biopsy of a psoriatic plaque was found to contain relatively low levels of IFN-γ (Th1) and IL-17 (Th17) secreting T cells. Following treatment with the excimer laser, the patient had a quick improvement in PASI that was reflected by a 3-fold reduction in the number of live T cells found in the post-treatment biopsy. Although ustekinumab and the excimer laser both result in decreased levels of these cytokines, the excimer laser directly causes apoptosis of T cells and induces DNA damage in antigen presenting cells. Thus, the broader effects of phototherapy on immune cells compared to the targeted inhibition of IL-12 and IL-23 by ustekinumab likely account for the superior response observed.
SET
Date of Publication
2015
Title
Dermatology Online Journal
Volume Number
21/3
PERSONAL NAME - PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY
Entry Element
Malakouti, Mona; Brown, Gabrielle Elena; Sorenson, Eric; Leon, Argentina; Koo, John; Levin, Ethan Charles