Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Sequenced
Dermatology Summary and Comment
<$EMPH_O>TP63<$EMPH_C> and <$EMPH_O>NOTCH<$EMPH_C> mutations are involved in HNSCC, indicating that disruption of skin differentiation contributes to this cancer.
By Kenneth Y. Tsai, MD, PhD
September 23, 2011
Covering:
Agrawal N et al., Science 2011 Aug 26; 333:1154
Stransky N et al., Science 2011 Aug 26; 333:1157
Malpractice Risk in Ambulatory Settings: Substantial Risk for Dermatologists
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Three new studies quantitate risk for litigation and identify factors associated with claims and indemnity payments.
By Arthur J. Sober, MD
September 9, 2011
Covering:
Moshell AN et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Jul 15
Bishop TF et al., JAMA 2011 Jun 15; 305:2427
Jena AB et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Aug 18; 365:629
TNF Blockers Not Linked to Malignancy in General, but Concerns Remain About Skin Cancer
Contrary to earlier findings, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers do not appear to be associated with malignancy in general, although they may pose increased risk...
Warfarin and Clopidogrel Are More Likely Than Aspirin to Cause Perioperative Bleeding
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
But office surgery is still safe in patients on anticoagulants and antithrombotics.
By Murad Alam, MD, MSCI
August 19, 2011
Covering:
Bordeaux JS et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Sep; 65:576
When Doing Mohs, Surgeons Can Use Safeguards to Get the Site Right
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Reasonable, quick, low-cost precautions can virtually eliminate the risk for wrong-site Mohs surgery.
By Murad Alam, MD, MSCI
August 12, 2011
Covering:
Starling J III and Coldiron BM., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Jul 20
Chemokines: Attractive Targets in the Sunburn Reaction
Dermatology Summary and Comment
The chemokine CXCL5 is a peripheral mediator of pain induced by UVB irradiation to the skin.
Sunscreen Is Expensive
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Sun-protective clothing and bulk buying can help reduce the cost.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
August 5, 2011
Covering:
Mahé E et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Jul 11
Lessons Learned from Sun-Exposed Skin
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Establishing baseline expectations about melanocyte presence and characteristics in nonlesional skin enables better identification of problem lesions.
Monobenzone as Immunotherapy for Melanoma
Dermatology Summary and Comment
The skin-bleaching agent is a specific cytotoxic agent for melanocytes.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
August 5, 2011
Covering:
van den Boorn JG et al., J Invest Dermatol 2011 Jun; 131:1240
Restricted Supplements May Help to Prevent Skin Cancer
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Grape seed extract and vitamin D show some indications of possible protection, but these need to be borne out by prospective clinical trials.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
July 29, 2011
Covering:
Tang JY et al., J Clin Oncol 2011 Jun 27
Asgari MM et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 Jun 13
Teledermatology in the Netherlands
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A descriptive analysis of large-scale teledermatology estimates cost savings of 18%.
By Joseph Charles Kvedar, MD
July 29, 2011
Covering:
van der Heijden JP et al., Br J Dermatol 2011 Jul 5
Treatment, Not Typing, Is Recommended for HPV-Associated Digital SCCs
Dermatology Summary and Comment
The association between digital SCCs and HPV is well known, but these authors recommend a focus on sterilizing the periphery of the SCC rather than identifying the precise HPV type, which does not affect management.
By Murad Alam, MD, MSCI
July 29, 2011
Covering:
Gormley RH et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2011 May; 64:981
Minimal Nodal Disease in SLN Melanoma Indicates Better Survival
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Smaller tumor burden and location in the subcapsular area were associated with better outcomes.
By Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD
July 15, 2011
Covering:
van der Ploeg APT et al., J Clin Oncol 2011 Jun 1; 29:2206
Photoprotection for Infants and Children
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
The skin's barrier protection is not fully developed in the first years of life, and UV-induced skin changes begin early.
Something to Consider Before Shaving That Pigmented Lesion
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Shave biopsy was significantly associated with persistence of melanocytic nevi.
By Angelica Selim, MD
July 8, 2011
Covering:
Sommer LL et al., J Cutan Pathol 2011 Jun; 38:503
Penile Intraepithelial Lesions: Immunohistochemical Stains Aid Diagnosis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
And a classification system modeled on precursor vulvar lesions is simple and reproducible.
By Angelica Selim, MD
July 8, 2011
Covering:
Chaux A et al., Am J Surg Pathol 2011 Apr; 35:553
HPV Immunization Campaign in Australia Yields Rapid Results
General Medicine Summary and Comment
High-grade cervical lesions declined after girls received human papillomavirus vaccine.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
July 5, 2011
Covering:
Brotherton JML et al., Lancet 2011 Jun 18; 377:2085
Saraiya M and Hariri S., Lancet 2011 Jun 18; 377:2057
Imatinib Shows Hints of Promise for KIT -Mutated Melanomas
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Better response was associated with the presence of recurrent mutations or increased mutant-to-wild-type allelic ratios.
Looking Far Afield . . .
Dermatologists were among the first to note the extreme effects of x-ray damage in pioneers of imaging.
Hair Follicle and Interfollicular Epidermis House the Source Cells of BCCs
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Cell population and level of hedgehog signaling determine the specific phenotypes of basal cell carcinomas.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
June 24, 2011
Covering:
Grachtchouk M et al., J Clin Invest 2011 May 2; 121:1768
The Immune System and Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Antibodies to Merkel cell polyomavirus and intratumoral CD8+ lymphocyte invasion predict outcomes in patients with MCC.
By Kenneth Y. Tsai, MD, PhD
June 17, 2011
Covering:
Touzé A et al., J Clin Oncol 2011 Apr 20; 29:1612
Paulson KG et al., J Clin Oncol 2011 Apr 20; 29:1539
Rates of Recurrence and Recurrence-Free Periods Vary with Different NMSC Treatments
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Time to recurrence was longest following Mohs surgery, but tumor site should inform choice of treatment strategy.
By George J. Hruza, MD
June 17, 2011
Covering:
Chren M-M et al., Arch Dermatol 2011 May; 147:540
Natural Killer Cells in B-Cell Proliferations
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Tissue site, lymphoma type, and clinical stage affect the presence of natural killer cells in B-cell lymphomas.
By Angelica Selim, MD
June 17, 2011
Covering:
Gibson SE et al., Hum Pathol 2011 May; 42:679
FDA Announces Changes to Sunscreen Labeling
Dermatology News in Context
Free
"Broad-spectrum" protection is now strictly defined.
Mutation to Medicine: Improved Survival with Vemurafenib in Melanoma
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Patients with unresectable melanoma and the <$EMPH_O>BRAF V600E<$EMPH_C> mutation saw rapid response and improved rates of overall and progression-free survival.
