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Erratum Notice: It was brought to the JDD’s attention after publication that an error in contact information appeared in the May 2010 Supplement article entitled: “Cosmeceuticals in Day-to-Day Clinical Practice.”1 Dr. Mukta Sachev’s address for correspondence information appeared as: “Mukta Sachdev, MD, FAAD,” although it should have appeared as: “Mukta Sachdev, MD.”

No abstract details for the moment.

No abstract details for the moment.

Patients at high risk for the development of multiple non-melanoma skin cancers, especially those receiving immunosuppressive medications following solid organ transplantation, are candidates for chemoprophylaxis. In patients where photo-protection and topical medications are insufficient to prevent the growth of new cancers, there is considerable evidence that oral retinoids, including vitamin A, and synthetics such as isotretinoin, etretinate and acitretin are efficacious in this regard. This manuscript is a review of the literature regarding the use of these agents for chemoprophylaxis of non-melanoma skin cancer. Also included is anecdotal evidence that bexarotene, a rexinoid, may be as effective as acitretin in terms of hemoprevention, with a comparable side effects at doses recommended for chemoprophylaxis.

In recent years, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has become a widely utilized method of removal for a variety of cutaneous neoplasms. Certain clinical scenarios, however, make it difficult to visualize residual tumor cells, potentially decreasing the efficacy of the Mohs procedure. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains are now available and are being utilized to delineate cells of interest intraoperatively when routinely stained slides are equivocal. While useful, IHC stains have not gained wide acceptance as an adjunct to MMS, particularly due to increased processing time, cost and workload required. There have been multiple recent advances, however, in the utilization of IHC stains in MMS. In this article, the authors discuss recent advances in IHC stains used in MMS for the treatment of melanoma as well as nonmelanoma skin cancers, potentially making their routine use in select cases more feasible.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma characterized by the malignant proliferation of T lymphocytes in the skin. Phototherapy has been proven an effective treatment modality for CTCL, in particular early stage disease (patch and plaque). Specifically, broadband ultraviolet B (BB-UVB), psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA),and more recently narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) are the skin-directed phototherapies typically utilized. Phototherapy poses the risk of sunburn, photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. Combination therapies with IFN-α, retinoids (acitretin and isotretinoin) and rexinoid (bexarotene) are adjunctive systemic therapies that facilitate enhanced therapeutic response and often allow for lower doses of phototherapy. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has also been shown to be effective in more advanced stage disease.

Background: Electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C) of low-risk, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) generally consumes less time and resources than excision. Review of the literature reveals few recent studies examining cure rates for ED&C in the treatment of low risk cutaneous SCC. Objective: To evaluate via two retrospective studies the efficacy of ED&C in the treatment of low risk cutaneous SCC. Methods: A small controlled study in a Veterans Administration teaching hospital dermatology clinic compared cure rates of low risk SCC at one year by ED&C to those of surgical excision. A second study examined the cure rate of low risk lesions treated by curettage and electrodesiccation in a private practice. Results: The first study found no significant difference in cure rates between ED&C (14 of 14 cases successfully treated) and excision (15 of 16 successfully treated and one recurrence) (P=0.1711). The second study found the ED&C cure rate (106 of 106 successfully treated) to be significantly greater than an arbitrary cure rate of 95 percent (P=0.0091). Conclusion: These findings support the efficacy of ED&C as a treatment modality for low-risk cutaneous SCC.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm affecting primarily the elderly Caucasian population. Earlier detection of this neoplasm may achieve a better prognosis and an improved outcome. Here, the authors review the typical clinical features of MCC to serve as a reference tool for clinicians in determining when a biopsy may be warranted. An array of immunohistochemical markers may be utilized to differentiate MCC from other neuroendocrine tumors. The staging and concomitant treatment options of MCC are discussed. In addition, the authors review therapeutic advances for treatment of MCC utilizing an array of target proteins.

The advent of rapid immunostains has made the use of Mohs surgery to treat melanoma more practical. Mohs surgery is especially useful in the management of lentigo maligna, which often has indistinct clinical margins. The authors describe their technique for treating melanoma in situ with Mohs surgery.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy, indicated for stage 1B/2 melanoma may be an underutilized diagnostic modality. Experts in the field agree that sentinel lymph node biopsy should be offered to patients with T1 melanomas with primary tumor ulceration, a mitotic rate greater than or equal to 1/mm2, and/or Clark level IV/V invasion especially if tumor thickness exceeds 0.75 mm. It is the responsibility of practitioners to characterize patients as eligible or non-eligible for the sentinel node procedure. Furthermore, it is important to obtain a fully informed consent and explain to patients the statistics of the progonostic information garnered by the test.

Patient stress and anxiety are common preoperatively and during dermatologic procedures and surgeries. Stress and anxiety can occasionally interfere with performance of procedures or surgery and can induce hemodynamic instability, such as elevated blood pressure or syncope, as well as producing considerable discomfort for some patients. Detection of excess stress and anxiety in patients can allow the opportunity for corrective or palliative measures. Slower breathing, biofeedback, progressive muscular relaxation, guided imagery, hypnosis, meditation and music can help calm and rebalance the patient’s autonomic nervous system and immune functioning. Handheld miniaturized heart rate variability biofeedback devices are now available. The relaxation response can easily be taught. Guided imagery can be recorded or live. Live rapid induction hypnosis followed by deepening and then self-guided imagery requires no experience on the part of the patient but does require training and experience on the part of a provider. Recorded hypnosis inductions may also be used. Meditation generally requires more prior experience and training, but is useful when the patient already is skilled in it. Live, guided meditation or meditation recordings may be used. Relaxing recorded music from speakers or headphones or live performance music may also be employed to ease discomfort and improve the patient’s attitude for dermatologic procedures and surgeries.

Phototherapy is well-recognized as effective therapy in early stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (patch and plaque), often resulting in complete clearance of clinical disease and subsequent remission. Although not curable, long-term remission can often be attained utilizing maintenance phototherapy, consisting of a course of less frequent treatments over time. Herein, the authors review the literature regarding the role of maintenance phototherapy in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and its success in prolonging clinical remission and disease-free survival in CTCL.

Topical tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) are often prescribed in combination for the treatment of acne vulgaris; however, these products have not traditionally been administered simultaneously because of the potential for tretinoin degradation by BPO as well as the instability of tretinoin in daylight. The primary objective of this randomized, investigator-blinded, 12-week, phase 4 trial was to determine non-inferiority of a once-daily morning combination regimen of 5% BPO wash + tretinoin gel microsphere (TGM) 0.04% pump versus a sequential regimen (BPO in the morning/TGM in the evening) in patients ≥12 years old with moderate facial acne vulgaris. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in total acne lesions; the primary safety endpoint was the change in cutaneous irritation scores. The 247 participants (mean age: 18.5 years) were randomized to either the morning/morning regimen (n=123) or the morning/evening regimen (n=124). The morning/morning regimen was determined to be non-inferior to the morning/evening regimen in reduction of total acne lesions. The tolerability of both regimens was comparable. The morning/morning regimen is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with moderate acne vulgaris.

Thalidomide and analogues are a class of immunomodulatory drugs or IMiDS. Thalidomide was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administation for treatment of erythema nodosum in leprosy and is now approved for multiple myeloma as well. A second generation IMiD, lenalidomide, is also approved for multiple myeloma and refractory myelodysplastic syndrome. Discovery of this class of drugs has been serendipitous and empirical, as the drug targets have been unknown. In this review, the authors integrate recent identification of drug targets of IMiDS, which include the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Rho GTPase and caspase-1, with the developments in the understanding of the molecular biology of human inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic skin disorders. Because thalidomide reemerged through leprosy, the original disease classified by the T cell, the authors have also emphasized advances in the understanding of T-cell subsets in human skin disorders.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a recently described, debilitating systemic disease most commonly seen in patients with renal insufficiency. Exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast agent has been associated with the onset of symptoms. The epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, histolopathology, differential diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion in susceptible individuals.

Cardiac catheterization is a very common procedure carried out for diagnostic as well as therapeutic reasons. Complications are not surprising due to the invasive nature of the procedure. Most of these complications have been seen numerous times by cardiologists who frequent the catheterization laboratory. Unfortunately, this patient experienced an extremely rare complication that ultimately resulted in his death. Here, the authors report a case of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) resulting from the nonionic radiocontrast agent used in cardiac catheterization.

The authors report a case of a Latin American woman who developed progressive pigmentation primarily involving two digits of her right hand. She was scheduled for amputation based on a presumptive histologic diagnosis of melanoma with regression. Dermatology consultation with repeat biopsies disclosed a lichenoid tissue reaction with marked pigment incontinence and no evidence of melanoma. This report should prompt physicians to include lichen planus pigmentosus in the differential diagnosis of acral lentiginous melanoma.

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is an uncommon dermatosis of unknown etiology. The familial subtype is rare and usually presents as type V PRP. It is generally inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion with variable expression. Other forms of inheritance, such as autosomal recessive and X-linked, have also been reported. The use of etanercept in treating resistant forms of PRP is promising given reports of its success in a few cases. Herein, the authors report two cases of PRP arising in a mother and son and review the rare familial subtype of this disease. In addition, a successful therapeutic trial of etanercept was initiated in the mother based on case reports of its efficacy in other patients with PRP.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a systemic lymphoproliferative disease characterized by a polymorphous neoplastic infiltrate involving lymph nodes as well as extranodal locations, including the skin.1 Cutaneous involvement is seen in approximately 50 percent of cases and is usually secondary to systemic disease.1 Patients with cutaneous involvement classically present with a transient morbilliform eruption of the trunk; however, papules, nodules, urticarial plaques and erythroderma have also been reported. In contrast, primary cutaneous AITL is exceedingly rare. The authors report a case of a 79-year-old woman with AITL who presented with primary cutaneous tumors and ulcerated nodules, with no evidence of systemic involvement, hypergammaglobinemia, or B symptoms. Histologically, a subtle lymphoid infiltrate was present, dominated by marked fibrosis and a diffuse infiltrate of neutrophils, eosinophils and plasma cells, mimicking an inflammatory or infectious etiology. This presentation presents a unique diagnostic challenge; careful investigation and strong clinical suspicion must be utilized in order to correctly identify AITL in this setting.

Efforts to improve the size and appearance of scars have included therapies as varied as laser treatments and onion extract gels. Silicone gel sheeting is well know to improve the appearance of hypertrophic scars, and may have a role in the management of routine surgical and traumatic scars. By varying the degree of cross linking, silicone elastomer can be a solid sheet or a liquid gel. In this pilot series, seven patients applied a liquid silicone gel twice a day to one half of a new surgical scar for three months. At the end of this time, the treated side was noticeably better in appearance in five of seven patients while two of seven had no difference. In no patient was the silicone treated side worse in appearance.

Warfarin-induced skin necrosis (WISN) and calciphylaxis share similar early clinical findings and can both lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The authors reviewed the literature on both conditions and describe a case of extensive skin necrosis in a patient with end-stage renal disease who was initially suspected to have calciphylaxis. Further investigation supported a diagnosis of WISN. The pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and treatment of WISN and calciphylaxis are discussed, with emphasis on a diagnostic approach for early recognition.

Dermatologic conditions associated with prolonged sun exposure represent a substantial portion of visits to the dermatologist’s office, particularly among elderly populations. Actinic keratoses are premalignant lesions that increase in frequency with each decade of life and have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma. Non-melanoma skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, also represent sun-related conditions that require early and aggressive treatment. Therapeutic options for these conditions are abundant and range from topical field-directed therapies to destructive, lesion-directed procedures. Choice of therapy depends on the types and extent of lesions with which a patient presents; often, a combination of treatments provides the optimal means for successful outcomes. The following case-based review represents typical situations where multiple treatments were combined to manage actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma in patients over an extended treatment period.

Polidocanol, a popular sclerosant used to treat unwanted leg veins worldwide, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March of 2010. This new treatment option joins popular sclerosant formulas including sodium tetradecylsulfate, hypertonic saline and chromated glycerin. Evidence for the efficacy of polidocanol, its efficacy relative to other sclerosants and its safety profile is reviewed.

Pipeline Previews brings to you information on the newest drugs and medical products as they become available to the dermatological community. This department may include additional information from the manufacturers, plus reports from physicians who wish to share their clinical experience with these new products. In addition, we will inform our readers about the latest drugs receiving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. We trust you will find this information beneficial to your practice and research.

No abstract details for the moment.

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing discipline with enormous promise for consumers and patients. Currently, it is entering an inflection point in its growth phase—both in the number and diversity of products developed or soon to be available for society and medicine. It is no surprise that a vast number of patents have been issued for nanotechnology in the cosmetics arena as a means of enhancing topical delivery of a broad range of over-the-counter products. In fact, the skin is the first point of contact for a whole host of nanomaterials, ranging from topical preparations, articles of clothing and household products, to sporting goods and industrial manufactured goods. Very little is known about the safety aspects of the nano-engineered materials that are being released in the environment, as well as those in consumer and healthcare products.

Clinical Trial Review is a JDD department designed to provide physicians with information on drugs undergoing clinical testing. It is our goal to inform the reader of the status of select drug trials relevant to the practice of dermatology before this information is available through standard channels. To participate in or learn more about these and additional trials, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.