Shedding Light on Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Necrobiosis Lipoidica: A Multicenter Real-Life Experience.

Necrobiosis Lipoidica (NL) is a dermatological condition characterized by the development of granulomatous inflammation leading to the degeneration of collagen and subsequent formation of yellowish-brown telangiectatic plaques usually localized on the pretibial skin of middle-aged females. Due to its rarity and unclear etiopathogenesis, therapeutic options for NL are not well-standardized. Among them, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging tool, although its efficacy has primarily been evaluated in single case reports or small case series. This study reports the real-life experience of a cohort of NL patients treated with PDT at the Section of Dermatology of the University Hospital of Messina and Reggio-Emilia. From 2013 to 2023, 17 patients were enrolled -5 males (29%) and 12 females (71%) aged between 16 and 56 years (mean age: 42 ± 13 years), with a median duration of NL of 8 years. The overall complete clearance (>75% lesion reduction) was 29%, while the partial clearance (25-75% lesion reduction) was 59%, with 12% being non-responders. This study adds to the little amount of evidence present in the literature regarding the effectiveness of PDT in the treatment of NL. Variability in treatment responses among patients underscores the need for personalized protocols, optimizing photosensitizers, light sources, and dosimetry. The standardization of treatment protocols and consensus guidelines are essential to ensure reproducibility and comparability across studies.

A Breakthrough in the Treatment of Necrobiosis Lipoidica? Update on Treatment, Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Clinical Presentation.

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare granulomatous disease of a not fully understood etiopathogenesis. Classically, NL is associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The disease often fails to respond to conventional treatments and adversely affects patients' quality of life. First-line medications are usually topical corticosteroids, but patients respond to them with varying degrees of success. Other options include tacrolimus, phototherapy, cyclosporine, fumaric acid esters, and biologics (adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab). Our review aims to present new therapeutic approaches potentially effective in patients with refractory lesions, describe the presumed etiopathogenesis, and provide diagnostic guidance for clinicians. The review concludes that Janus kinase inhibitors and biologics such as ustekinumab and secukinumab can be used effectively in patients with recalcitrant NL. Another promising treatment option is tapinarof (an aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist). However, studies on larger groups of patients are still needed to evaluate the effectiveness of different therapeutic options and to define consistent treatment regimens for NL. It is advisable to improve the awareness of physicians of various specialties regarding necrobiosis lipoidica as lesions diagnosed earlier usually have a better response to treatment.

Topical Ruxolitinib in the Treatment of Necrobiosis Lipoidica: A Prospective, Open-Label Study.

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare granulomatous disease. There are few effective treatments for NL. We sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of the Jak1/2 inhibitor, ruxolitnib, in the treatment of NL and identify the biomarkers associated with the disease and treatment response. We conducted an open-label, phase 2 study of ruxolitinib in 12 patients with NL. We performed transcriptomic analysis of tissue samples before and after treatment. At week 12, the mean NL lesion score decreased by 58.2% (SD = 28.7%, P = .003). Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated enrichment of type I and type II IFN pathways in baseline disease. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis demonstrated post-treatment changes in IFN pathways with key hub genes IFNG and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 gene STAT1. Limitations include small sample size and a study group limited to patients with <10% body surface area. In conclusion, ruxolitinib is an effective treatment for NL and targets the key pathogenic mediators of the disease.

Atypical Ulcerative Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum: A Case Study.

Necrobiosis lipoidica is a granulomatous skin condition commonly associated with diabetes. When associated with diabetes mellitus, the name expands to necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD). In these patients, this rare condition has an incidence rate of 0.3% to 1.6%. The cause of NLD remains unknown even though many speculations exist in the medical literature. The treatment of this condition has most researchers agreeing on the use of topical steroids for the anti-inflammatory effect on NLD; however, the role of glucose control in the treatment of this disorder has been debatable. The following case presents a patient who, despite better glucose control, did not improve until the introduction of doxycycline.

Comorbidity and Therapeutic Approaches in Patients with Necrobiosis Lipoidica.

BACKGROUND: Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare granulomatous disorder of unknown aetiology. Randomized controlled studies are not available due to it being an orphan disease. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated patients in 2 dermatological centres to cluster data about epidemiology, the therapeutic approaches for NL, and their efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comorbidity and the efficacy of the applied treatment was assessed for 98 patients. RESULTS: We identified 54% of patients with concomitant diabetes and 19% with thyroidal disorders. Topical steroids (85.7%) were predominantly used followed by calcineurin inhibitors (31%) and phototherapy (41.8%). Systemically, fumaric acid esters were more frequently applied (26.8%) than steroids (24.4%) and dapsone (24.4%). Steroids, compression therapy, calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy, fumaric acid esters, and dapsone showed remarkable efficacy. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic options were chosen individually in accordance with the severity of NL and presence of ulceration. Topical calcineurin inhibitors, systemic application of fumaric acid esters, and dapsone represent effective alternatives to the use of steroids.

Pediatric necrobiosis lipoidica: case report and review of the literature.

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare, granulomatous disease considered to be associated with diabetes. It is frequently seen in female and middle-aged patients and is rarely observed in children. We present a 14-year-old boy with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes who developed biopsy-proven NL. He had improvement, but not resolution of the plaque with improved glycemic control. Pediatric NL may be associated with diabetes and could be related to poor glycemic control. However, further investigation is warranted in this young population.

Necrobiosis lipoidica with rapid response to doxycycline.

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Multiple therapies may be used with varying efficacy. We report a pediatric patient with a history of type I diabetes mellitus and NL with minimal response to an ultrapotent topical steroid, topical calcineurin inhibitor, and intralesional triamcinolone, complicated by steroid atrophy, who rapidly responded after addition of doxycycline.

Conventional Photodynamic Therapy for Necrobiosis Lipoidica: Successful Treatment in a Series of 4 Cases. / Tratamiento de la necrobiosis lipoídica con terapia fotodinámica convencional: serie de 4 casos tratados con éxito.

Necrobiosis lipoidica is a rare chronic granulomatous disease. Multiple treatment approaches are available, but results are generally minimal and inconsistent. Some publications report variable results with photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a second line of treatment for refractory cases. We report 4 cases of necrobiosis lipoidica treated satisfactorily with conventional PDT using methyl aminolevulinate or 5-aminolevulinic acid BF-200 as the photosensitizing agent. All 4 patients were women with diabetes mellitus who had undergone treatment at least twice in the past, with little improvement. The lesions resolved completely with PDT, leaving only residual atrophy after a mean of 3.2 sessions per lesion.

Necrobiosis Lipoidica Mimicking Cutaneous Sarcoidosis Finally Treated With an Intralesional Injection of Corticosteroid: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) and sarcoidosis are granulomatous disorders with an unknown pathogenesis. They may coexist in the same patient, which suggests a possible overlap between these diseases among shared granulomatous inflammatory pathways. Case Presentation: This study presents the case of a non-diabetic 52-year-old woman who presented with red-yellowish border plaques on the face and upper extremities previously diagnosed as sarcoidosis. After 13 years of inappropriate treatment, histopathological findings consistent with the clinical and para-clinical examination suggested the diagnosis of NL. After treatment with an intralesional injection of steroids, significant improvement was observed, and no recurrent lesions were found. CONCLUSION: Necrobiosis lipoidica may mimic cutaneous sarcoidosis. Prompt recognition and treatment of NL can be helpful for managing the disease. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(1):92-94. doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.4675