Abstract
The Goeckerman therapy (GT) for the treatment of psoriasis comprises dermal application of crude coal tar (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs) and exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). PAHs and UVR are mutagenic and carcinogenic agents.
We evaluated dermal absorption of PAHs as well as the mutagenic and genotoxic effects of child and adults patients with psoriasis, by determining levels of pyrene and phenanthrene, urinary mutagenicity (Ames test) and numbers of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes (CA), inflammatory and angiogenic parameters in urine and/or blood, before and after GR. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was used to evaluate clinical efficacy of GR.
The PASI scores were significantly decreased after GT, confirming the clinical benefit of GT. In conclusion, our results demonstrate mutagenic, temporary genotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects of GT of treated child and adults patients.