Kuva therapy
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
UVA irradiation after prior oral administration of the photosensitizer khellin (furanochromone). Khellin has no phototoxic properties and potentially a lower mutagenic activity than the photosensitizer psoralen (see Methoxsalen and PUVA therapy).
IndicationThis section has been translated automatically.
Vitiligo (with extensive infestation). Not for acral emphasized vitiligo. Thorough education of the patient about the approximately 30-40% repigmentation rate. Duration of the treatment initially 6 months, if the therapy responds, continuation over 2 years, otherwise discontinuation.
Notice! Khellin is not officially approved for systemic photochemotherapy. Therefore the doctor bears the risk. Information and written consent of the patient is therefore required! Regular control of the liver values.
ImplementationThis section has been translated automatically.
Take Khellin gelatin capsules (100mg) 2 hours before UVA therapy. Afterwards irradiation with UVA. It can usually be started with 2 J/cm2. Relatively rapid increase of 1 J/cm2 is possible with every second irradiation up to a maintenance dose of 10 J/cm2. Frequency of treatment 4 times/week.
Undesirable effectsThis section has been translated automatically.
- Acute 1st to 2nd degree burns with overdose, itching, nausea. If eye protection is missing, keratitis photoelectrica.
- Long-term therapy may result in: elastosis actinica, lentigines, melanoma, malignant, lentigo-maligna melanoma, spinocellular carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, testicular carcinoma in men (gonad protection!), questionable cataract formation (eye protection!).
- The most important long-term side effects of KUVA therapy are spinocellular carcinomas.
ContraindicationThis section has been translated automatically.
Like PUVA therapy, see there.