Superficial radiotherapy could lead to long-term remission and improved quality of life in patients with severe, treatment-resistant Hailey-Hailey disease, a small Danish study suggests.

Pending further trials, radiation therapy could be a viable alternative to standard treatment for flares, such as antibiotics, isotretinoin and naltrexone, researchers say.

In a retrospective case-series, clinicians analysed data from 13 patients (mean age 52) with severe Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) treated with up to six cycles of superficial radiotherapy, with 1-5 separate body areas targeted per cycle.

Each cycle of superficial radiotherapy consisted of a 16Gy dose — eight fractions of 2Gy — administered every two to three days.