Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of plum-blossom needle tapping on the efficacy of aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy（ALA-PDT）for actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and to evaluate the safety of plum-blossom needle tapping. Methods Twenty-four patients, including 12 patients with actinic keratosis, 6 patients with nodular basal cell carcinoma and 6 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in situ, were enrolled into this study and classified into two groups, i.e., combination group and control group, with the number of patients with actinic keratosis, nodular basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in situ being equal between the two groups. The patients in the combination group were pretreated with plum-blossom needle tapping followed by ALA-PDT, and the control group by ALA-PDT alone. Results The complete remission rate of actinic keratosis after the first session of treatment was significantly higher in the combination group than in the control group（grade 1 lesions, 12/12 vs. 10/14; grade 2 lesions, 79.5%（31/39）vs. 57.9%（22/38）; grade 3 lesions, 36.6%（15/41）vs. 17.0%（7/41）, all P< 0.05）. The number of treatment sessions required for the complete remission of actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma in situ lesions measuring more than 0.3 mm in thickness was significantly reduced in the combination group compared with the control group. On average, 1.9 sessions of treatment were required for the complete remission of grade 3 lesions of actinic keratosis in the combination group, compared to 2.6 sessions in the control group. Plum-blossom needle tapping also enhanced the efficacy of ALA-PDT for nodular basal cell carcinoma. Further more, plum-blossom needle tapping did not aggravate pain in patients during the treatment. Conclusion Plum-blossom needle tapping can enhance the efficacy of ALA-PDT for actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, with no increase in adverse reactions. Key words: Keratosis, actinic; Neoplasms, basal cell; Neoplasms, squamous cell; Photochemotherapy; Aminolevulinic acid; PLUM-BLOSSOM NEEDLE THERAPY

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