Liposomalization of Oxaliplatin Exacerbates the Non-Liposomal Formulation-Induced Decrease of Sweet Taste Sensitivity in Rats.

Here, we investigated whether or not the characteristics of the oxaliplatin-induced sweet taste sensitivity were altered by PEGylated liposomalization of oxaliplatin (liposomal oxaliplatin), which enhances its anticancer efficacy. Liposomal oxaliplatin and oxaliplatin were intravenously and intraperitoneally, respectively, administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats at the total dose of 8 mg/kg. A brief-access test for evaluation of sweet taste sensitivity on day 7 revealed that both liposomal oxaliplatin and oxaliplatin decreased the sensitivity of rats, the degree with the former being greater than in the case of the latter. Liposomalization of oxaliplatin increased the accumulation of platinum in lingual non-epithelial tissues, through which taste nerves passed. The lingual platinum accumulation induced by not only liposomal oxaliplatin but also oxaliplatin was decreased on cooling of the tongue during the administration. In the current study, we revealed that liposomalization of oxaliplatin exacerbated the oxaliplatin-induced decrease of sweet taste sensitivity by increasing the accumulation of platinum/oxaliplatin in lingual non-epithelial tissues. These findings may suggest that reduction of liposomal oxaliplatin distribution to the tongue on cooling during the administration prevents exacerbation of the decrease of sweet taste sensitivity, maintaining the quality of life and chemotherapeutic outcome in patients.

Aging rather than sun exposure is a major determining factor for the density of miR-125b-positive epidermal stem cells in human skin.

Sunlight exposure and aging are two major factors in the deterioration of skin function. In the present study, we used eighty formalin-fixed human skin samples from sun-exposed and unexposed areas from old and young individuals to evaluate the presence of miR-125b-positive epidermal stem cells (ESCs) by in situ hybridization. miR-125b-positive ESCs were detected in the basal layer of the epidermis. The density of miR-125b-positive ESCs was significantly associated with age rather than sun exposure, whereas the density of miR-125b-positive ESCs tended to decrease in the sun-exposed area. These data suggest the potential use of miR-125b as a surrogate marker for the quality of epidermal cells.

Localised giant haematoma and subsequent widespread purpura as a sign of acquired haemophilia A.

Patients with acquired haemophilia A usually show widespread subcutaneous bleeding. We describe an 86-year-old man with acquired haemophilia A associated with prostate carcinoma, showing initial localised giant haematoma and subsequent widespread subcutaneous bleeding. A localised giant haematoma may present as a first and important sign of acquired haemophilia A.

Cellulitis with leukocytopenia as an initial sign of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Patients with hematologic malignancies are immunosuppressive and may develop cutaneous or invasive infections as a primary sign of immune suppression. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (acute myeloid leukemia M3) is caused by translocation of reciprocal chromosomal rearrangement t(15;17), which produces an oncogenic protein. We herein describe a 71-year-old man having cellulitis with leukocytopenia as a first sign of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Dermatologists and hematologists should keep in mind that patients with a hematologic malignancy, such as acute promyelocytic leukemia, can develop cellulitis with leukocytopenia.

Efficacy and safety of a low-energy double-pass 1450-nm diode laser for the treatment of acne scars.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 1450-nm diode laser on acne scars in Asian patients. BACKGROUND DATA: Acne and acne scars affect individuals during puberty and adolescence, and decrease their quality of life. METHODS: An open study was performed on 24 Japanese patients (17 female and 7 male, aged 15-44 years) with acne scars on the face treated with five sessions of low-energy double-pass 1450-nm diode laser at 4-week intervals. The mean duration of the acne scars prior to receiving laser therapy was 4.8 years (range 1-9). Clinical evaluation by physicians and with photographs was conducted at baseline, 1 month after the final treatment, and at a 3-month follow-up visit. Topical therapies for acne vulgaris were permitted during the follow-up period. RESULTS: All patients completed the five treatment sessions. Seventy-five percent of the subjects showed at least 30% improvement of acne scars. At the 3-month follow-up evaluation, 92.9% of the subjects with >30% improvement maintained the effectiveness. Vesicle formation and transient hyperpigmentation also occurred in one case. CONCLUSIONS: The 1450-nm diode laser therapy was effective and well-tolerated in patients with acne scars, suggesting that this may be an appropriate modality for treating facial acne scars.

Age- and sun exposure-dependent differences in 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and N-(carboxymethyl)lysine in human epidermis.

Aging and exposure to sunlight are two major factors in the deterioration of skin function. In this study, thirty-six fixed human skin samples from sun-exposed and unexposed areas from young and old individuals were used to evaluate the localization of oxidative stress according to levels and distribution of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and N(ε)-(carboxymethyl)lysine in samples using immunohistochemistry. In the epidermis of the young, negligible amounts of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and N(ε)-(carboxymethyl)lysine were detected in unexposed areas, whereas nuclear 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and cytoplasmic N(ε)-(carboxymethyl)lysine were increased in the lower epidermis in sun-exposed areas. In contrast, the aged presented prominent nuclear 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and nuclear N(ε)-(carboxymethyl)lysine in the epidermis of unexposed areas, concomitant with dermal increase in N(ε)-(carboxymethyl)lysine. However, the immunostaining of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and N(ε)-(carboxymethyl)lysine revealed a decrease in the epidermis of sun-exposed areas in the aged. These results suggest an age-dependent difference in the adaptation and protective mechanisms of the epidermis against sunlight-associated oxidative stress, thus necessitating distinct standards for evaluation in each age group. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms.

Transient effectiveness of an oral 5-Fluorouracil derivative, s-1, for epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and Paclitaxel refractory skin metastases from possible occult breast cancer in a male.

Recent chemotherapies for skin metastases from breast cancer have shown to be effective for regression, disappearance, and favorable quality of life. We describe the case of a 76-year-old male showing transient effectiveness with an oral 5-fluorouracil derivative, S-1 (tegafur, 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine and potassium oxonate), for epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel refractory skin metastases from possible occult breast cancer. The male patient was initially diagnosed as having lymph node metastases in the left axilla as possible occult breast cancer. The skin metastases developed after chemotherapy with a combination of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, subsequent chemotherapy with paclitaxel, and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy with paclitaxel was resumed for skin metastases, but it was not effective. Alternative chemotherapy with the oral agent S-1 was administered. The skin metastases completely disappeared after the second course, but recurred at the end of the third course. This case suggests that S-1 may be a candidate for chemotherapy for skin metastases from occult breast cancer in males.

Clinical effectiveness of intense pulsed light therapy for solar lentigines of the hands.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment, as a nonablative phototherapy, is known to improve various signs of facial photoaging skin, e.g., solar lentigines, fine wrinkles, and telangiectasias. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of IPL with a 515-nm filter in patients with solar lentigines on the back of hands. An open study was performed in 31 patients who were treated with a 1-month interval up to five times. Sixty-two percent of patients had more than 50% improvement and 23% had more than 75% improvement. No patients discontinued due to adverse effects, and no patients showed hyperpigmentation or scarring after the treatments. Phototherapy using this IPL source was effective and well tolerated in the patients, suggesting that this phototherapy may be an appropriate modality for the treatment of solar lentigines of the hands.

Photoallergic Contact Dermatitis due to Ketoprofen and Hydrogenated Rosin Glycerol Ester.

A topical application of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) may induct an adverse reaction of photoallergic contact dermatitis. The occlusive usage may provoke concomitant photoallergic sensitizations to an NSAID and other ingredients. We describe a 58-year-old woman with photoallergic contact dermatitis from ketoprofen and hydrogenated rosin glycerol ester in the applied compress. Our case indicates that photopatch testing with all ingredients is required to verify the actual photoallergen(s).

Allergic Contact Dermatitis with Diffuse Erythematous Reaction from Diisopropanolamine in a Compress.

Compresses containing a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) are commonly used in Japan. However, this treatment may induce both allergic and photoallergic contact dermatitis from the NSAIDs and their ingredients. Here, we describe a case of allergic contact dermatitis with diffuse erythematous reaction due to diisopropanolamine in the applied compress. The absorption of diisopropanolamine might have been enhanced by the occlusive condition.