Mutation burden of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (NB-UVB) in human skin: relevance to NB-UVB lifetime exposures and skin cancer surveillance.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is used as treatment for psoriasis and other skin diseases, but UVR can induce DNA mutations that may lead to skin cancer development. While skin cancers have been documented in patients treated with phototherapy, a limited number of epidemiological studies have examined the incidence of skin cancer in people receiving narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) treatment. Information on the mutagenicity of NB-UVB would help inform about the potential skin cancer risks of this treatment.

Objectives

To determine the mutation burden in human skin resulting from a NB-UVB treatment course and to use this data to estimate the total number of NB-UVB exposures whereupon skin cancer surveillance should begin.

Methods

Biopsies of normal skin were o

SUBMITTER: Fowler JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12448954 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature