Healio wrote about several JDD studies in recent weeks including one on using gene expression profiling (GEP) in managing skin cancer. Ryan Jay, DO, and colleagues authored, “Utility of Gene Expression Profiling in Skin Cancer: A Comprehensive Review,” in which they conducted a review of the GEP process as well as existing technologies. The authors wrote that GEP is a potential tool to clarify cases when staging is uncertain from using traditional methods. In addition, GEP also may have benefits as a prognostic tool. They asserted that this information can impact follow up and treatment decisions, yet the authors acknowledged that more research is needed on the specific roles of the available GEP tests and how they may be integrated into skin cancer management guidelines.
Healio also wrote about a JDD study on the benefits and shortcomings of skin substitutes. Mitchell Davis, MD, and colleagues wrote, “The Role of Skin Substitutes in Dermatologic Surgery: A Practical Review,” in which they reviewed the plethora of skin substitutes that have appeared in the market in the last few decades. The authors categorized skin substitutes into seven groupings based on composition: amnion, cultured epithelial autograft, acellular allograft, cellular allografts, xenografts, composites and synthetics. The authors then outlined the benefits and disadvantages of each of these groups. The authors encouraged dermatologic surgeons to take the characteristics of skin substitutes into consideration in order to give more personalized care. The authors also wrote that prospective comparison studies are needed.
A JDD study on imiquimod efficacy also made news in Healio. The study, Assessing the Efficacy of Imiquimod Use in Patients With Persistent Locally Advanced Melanoma In Situ, by researchers from the University of Florida Morsani College of Medicine and Moffett Cancer Center, sought to determine if imiquimod was a viable topical treatment for the margins of prior excisions or when surgery is not an option in persistent melanoma in situ. Patients in the study received imiquimod for 16 weeks, and were monitored for treatment response and side effects. After completion of the treatment, patients underwent scouting biopsies and dermoscopy. Results showed a tumor clearance rate of 90% with imiquimod treatment. The authors also noted that, even though the median follow-up duration from the onset of imiquimod to the last clinic visit was 18 months, there were no recurrences to date.
And finally, Healio wrote about a JDD study on UVB damage and the effects of topical DNA repair enzymes. The study, “Ultraviolet B-Rays Induced Gene Alterations and DNA Repair Enzymes in Skin Tissue,” was led by the research department at Moy-Fincher-Chipps Facial Plastics & Dermatology. Study subjects wore a non-invasive, adhesive patch to sample skin on their right and left post-auricular areas before and after UVB exposure. Subjects then applied topical DNA repair enzymes to the right post-auricular area daily for two weeks. Subjects returned to the clinic two weeks later for a repeat non-invasive skin sample collection. Researchers found eight of 18 tested genes demonstrated significant changes 24 hours following UVB exposure. However, DNA repair enzymes from M. luteus or photolyase had no significant effect on genetic expression compared with the control at 2 weeks post UV exposure. The authors noted that future studies will focus on direct comparisons between natural DNA repair and the addition of topical DNA repair enzymes at multiple time points.
