value of DNA content and apoptotic index in the early diagnosis and follow-up of mycosis fungoides patients before and after PUVA

ABSTRACT

This study included 15 patients with early suspicious mycosis fungoides [MF] lesions both clinically and pathologically and 15 MF patients with stage IB or IIA, all were treated with PUVA. Skin biopsies taken from all patients before and after PUVA therapy were subjected to DNA analysis by image analysis and apoptotic index aiming at early diagnosis and evaluating the effect of PUVA on abnormalities found in patients before treatment. The results showed the presence of aneuploidy in early cases and emphasized the value of image analysis as a diagnostic aid. Moreover, it documented that cell death rate or apoptotic index [AI] and DNA ploidy are good criteria for therapeutic efficacy of PUVA