Popis: |
BACKGROUND: In mouse skin cancer models, high-dose oral vitamin D3 (VD3; cholecalciferol) combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) can improve the clearance of squamous precancers (actinic keratoses, AK). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether oral VD3 can improve clinical efficacy of a painless PDT regimen in humans with AK. METHODS: Baseline lesion counts and serum 25OH-D3 levels were obtained. In one cohort (Group 1), 29 patients received gentle debridement and 15-min ALA preincubation followed by blue light (30 min; 20 J/cm(2)). In Group 2, 29 patients took oral VD3 (10,000 IU daily, 5 or 14 days) prior to the debridement/PDT. Lesion clearance was assessed at 3–6 months. RESULTS: In Group 1, mean clearance rates (CR) of facial AK were lower in patients with VD3 deficiency (25OH-D3 |