Rhinophototherapy : A new therapeutic tool for the management of allergic rhinitis

Background Phototherapy has a profound immunosuppressive effect and is able to inhibit hypersensibility reactions in the skin. Objective We evaluated whether phototherapy using a combination of UV-B (5%), UV-A (25%), and visible light (70%), referred to as mUV/VIS, is effective in treating allergic rhinitis. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind study, in 49 patients with hay fever. The study was performed during the ragweed season. Each intranasal cavity was illuminated 3 times a week for 3 weeks with mUV/VIS or with low-intensity visible light. Symptom scores, inflammatory cells, and their mediators were assessed in nasal lavages. In vitro effects of mUV/VIS irradiation on T-cell and eosinophil apoptosis and its inhibitory effect on mediator release from basophils were examined. Results Rhinophototherapy was tolerated well and resulted in a significant improvement of clinical symptoms for sneezing ( P P P P P In vitro irradiation of T cells and eosinophils with mUV/VIS light dose-dependently induced apoptosis. Furthermore, mUV/VIS irradiation inhibited the mediator release from RBL-2H3 basophils. Conclusion These results suggest that phototherapy is an effective modality to treat allergic rhinitis and offer new options for the treatment of immune-mediated mucosal diseases.