UVB light against polyps

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J Photochem Photobiol B. 2010 Jun 2. [Epub ahead of print]Narrow-band UVB phototherapy of nasal polyps: Results of a pilot study.Bella Z, Kadocsa E, Kemény L, Koreck A.Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Szeged, Hungary.AbstractNasal polyposis (NP) is characterized by high recurrence rate despite medical and/or surgical treatment. The major mechanism of action of ultraviolet B light (UVB) is induction of apoptosis in inflammatory cells. Therefore phototherapy may represent a new therapeutic approach in NP. A pilot feasibility study was performed to assess the tolerability and clinical efficacy of UVB phototherapy in NP. Thirteen subjects with bilateral grade 1-3 NP were enrolled in an open-labeled prospective pilot study. Patients were exposed to gradually increasing doses of UVB light over a 12week period (3 exposures/week). Subjects rated their nasal obstruction symptom scores weekly on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 6. The NOSE quality of life questionnaire was used at baseline and end of treatment period. Adverse events were monitored by endoscopy. Ten subjects completed the study. Nasal obstruction symptom scores and quality of life (NOSE) improved at end of treatment compared to baseline. Treatments were well tolerated and no device related adverse events were reported. The results suggest that phototherapy may represent a potential new treatment option in nasal polyps. Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.