Skip to main content
Log in

Cytogenetic effects during extracorporeal photopheresis treatment of two patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

  • Original Contributions
  • Published:
Archives of Dermatological Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The effect of extracorporeal photopheresis (EP) on various cytogenetic parameters has been investigated. During EP the photoactivatable agent 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) was administered orally. After 2 h a leukocyteenriched blood fraction was collected by haemocentrifugation, irradiated with UVA extracorporeally, and reinfused to the patient. Two patients suffering from cutaneous T-cell lymphoma showed a marked clinical improvement in response to therapy. In order to investigate the cytogenetic effects and mutagenic risks of EP, the mitotic index (MI), the type and number of chromosomal aberrations and the rate of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) were studied. Following EP treatment the patients' lymphocytes were cultured and stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) for 48 or 72 h. The cultured lymphocytes showed a decreased MI after 48 h as an indicator of cytotoxic effects, but not after 72 h. In lymphocyte cultures not stimulated with PHA, the MI was decreased even after 72 h. The number of chromosomal aberrations and SCE were increased upon treatment, but only transiently, returning to basal levels between consecutive treatments. Our data provides no evidence for increased mutagenic risk as a consequence of effective EP treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Billardon C, Levy S, Moustacchi E (1984) Induction of human skin fibroblasts of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) by photoaddition of two new monofunctional pyridpsoralens in comparison to 3-carbethoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen. Mutat Res 138:63–70

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bredberg A, Lambert B, Lindblad A, Swanberg G, Wennersten G (1983) Studies of DNA and chromosome damage in skin fibroblasts and blood lymphocytes from psoriasis patients treated with 8-methoxypsoralen and UVA irradiation. J Invest Dermatol 81:93–97

    Google Scholar 

  3. Carter DM, Pan M, Gaynor A, McGuire JS, Sibrack L (1979) Psoralen-DNA cross-linking photoadducts in dyskeratosis congenita: Delay in excision and promotion of sister chromatid exchange. J Invest Dermatol 73:97–101

    Google Scholar 

  4. Carter DM, Lyons MF, Windhorst DB (1982) Photopromotion of sister chromatid exchanges by psoralen derivatives. Arch Dermatol Res 272:239–244

    Google Scholar 

  5. Crossen PE (1982) Variation in the sensitivity of human lymphocytes to DNA-damaging agents measured by sister chromatid exchange frequency. Hum Genet 60:19–23

    Google Scholar 

  6. Dutrillaux B (1977) New chromosome techniques. In: Yunis JJ (ed) Molecular structure of human chromosomes. (Chromosomes in biology and medicine monograph series.) Academic Press, New York, pp 233–265

    Google Scholar 

  7. Edelson R, Berger C, Gasparro F, Jegasothy B, Heald P, Wintroub B, Vonderheid E, Knobler R, Wolff K, Plewig G, McKiernan G, Christiansen I, Oster M, Hönigsmann H, Wilford H, Kokoschka E, Rehle T, Perez M, Stingl G, Laroche L (1987) Treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma by extracorporeal photochemotherapy. N Engl J Med 316:297–303

    Google Scholar 

  8. Friedmann PS, Rogers S (1980) Photochemotherapy of psoriasis: DNA damage in blood lymphocytes. J Invest Dermatol 74:440–443

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gasparro FG, Berger CL, Edelson RL (1984) Effect of monochromatid UVA light and 8-methoxypsoralen on human lymphocyte response to mitogen. Photodermatol 1:10–17

    Google Scholar 

  10. Griem ML, Moran EM, Ferguson DL (1975) Staging procedures in mycosis fungoides. Br J Dermatol [Suppl] 31:362–367

    Google Scholar 

  11. Harper RA, Tam DW, Vonderheid EC, Urbach F (1979) Normal T-lymphocyte function in psoriatic patients undergoing methoxsalen photochemotherapy. J Invest Dermatol 72:323–325

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hönigsmann H (1986) Psoralen photochemotherapy — mechanisms, drugs, toxicity. Curr Probl Dermatol 15:52–66

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kraemer KH, Waters HL, Cohen LF, Popescu NC, Amsbaugh SC, DiPaolo JA, Glaubiger D, Ellingson OL, Tarone RE (1981) Effects of 8-methoxypsoralen and ultraviolet radiation on human lymphoid cells in vitro. J Invest Dermatol 76:80–87

    Google Scholar 

  14. Lambert B, Morad M, Bredberg A, Swanbeck G, Thyresson-Hök M (1978) Sister chromatid exchanges in lymphocytes from psoriasis patients treated with 8-methoxypsoralen and longwave ultraviolet light. Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 58:13–16

    Google Scholar 

  15. Mourelatos D, Faed MJW, Gould PW, Johnson BE, Frain-Bell W (1977) Sister chromatid exchanges in lymphocytes of psoriatics after treatment with 8-methoxypsoralen and longwave ultraviolet radiation. Br J Dermatol 97:649–654

    Google Scholar 

  16. Pathak MA, Joshi PC (1983) The nature and molecular basis of cutaneous photosensitivity reactions to psoralen and coal tar. J Invest Dermatol 80:66s-74s

    Google Scholar 

  17. Patterson JAK, Edelson RL (1987) Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and other leukemic and lymphomatous infiltrates of the skin. In: Fitzpatrick TB, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, Fredberg IM, Austen KF (eds) Dermatology in general medicine, 3rd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York, pp 1086–1118

    Google Scholar 

  18. Perry P, Wolff S (1974) New Giemsa method for the differential staining of sister chromatids. Nature 251:156–158

    Google Scholar 

  19. Röhrborn G (1982) Spontaneous and induced sister chromatid exchanges in bone marrow cells of chinese hamsters (Cricetulus griseus) in comparison to induced chromosome aberrations. In: Müller D, Natarajan AT, Obe G, Röhrborn G (eds) Sisterchromatid-exchange test. Thieme, Stuttgart, pp 30–35

    Google Scholar 

  20. Sandberg AA (1982) Sister chromatid exchange. Alan R Liss, New York

    Google Scholar 

  21. Scherer R, Kern B, Braun-Falco O (1977) UVA induced inhibition of proliferation of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes from humans treated with 8-methoxypsoralen. Br J Dermatol 97:519–528

    Google Scholar 

  22. Swanbeck G, Thyresson-Hök M, Bredberg A, Lambert B (1975) Treatment of psoriasis with oral psoralens and longwave ultraviolet light. Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 55:367–376

    Google Scholar 

  23. Wolff-Schreiner EC, Carter M, Schwarzacher HG, Wolff K (1977) Sister chromatid exchanges in photochemotherapy. J Invest Dermatol 69:387–391

    Google Scholar 

  24. Wulf HC (1982) Aspects of the toxicology of 8-methoxypsoralen and longwave ultraviolet light. Acta Derm Venereol [Suppl] (Stockh) 106:1–42

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Peterseim, U.M., Küster, W., Gebauer, H.J. et al. Cytogenetic effects during extracorporeal photopheresis treatment of two patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Arch Dermatol Res 283, 81–85 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00371613

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00371613

Key words

Navigation