HPA axis in major depression: cortisol, clinical symptomatology and genetic variation predict cognition.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated in the pathophysiology of a variety of mood and cognitive disorders. Neuroendocrine studies have demonstrated HPA axis overactivity in major depression, a relationship of HPA axis activity to cognitive performance and a potential role of HPA axis genetic variation in cognition. The present study investigated the simultaneous roles HPA axis activity, clinical symptomatology and HPA genetic variation play in cognitive performance. Patients with major depression with psychotic major depression (PMD) and with nonpsychotic major depression (NPMD) and healthy controls (HC) were studied. All participants underwent a diagnostic interview and psychiatric ratings, a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, overnight hourly blood sampling for cortisol and genetic assessment. Cognitive performance differed as a function of depression subtype. Across all subjects, cognitive performance was negatively correlated with higher cortisol, and PMD patients had higher cortisol than did NPMDs and HCs. Cortisol, clinical symptoms and variation in genes, NR3C1 (glucocorticoid receptor; GR) and NR3C2 (mineralocorticoid receptor; MR) that encode for GRs and MRs, predicted cognitive performance. Beyond the effects of cortisol, demographics and clinical symptoms, NR3C1 variation predicted attention and working memory, whereas NR3C2 polymorphisms predicted memory performance. These findings parallel the distribution of GR and MR in primate brain and their putative roles in specific cognitive tasks. HPA axis genetic variation and activity were important predictors of cognition across the entire sample of depressed subjects and HR. GR and MR genetic variation predicted unique cognitive functions, beyond the influence of cortisol and clinical symptoms. GR genetic variation was implicated in attention and working memory, whereas MR was implicated in verbal memory.

ABCB1 (MDR1) predicts remission on P-gp substrates in chronic depression.

The hypothesis that allelic variation in the multidrug resistance-1 (MDR1 or ABCB1) gene encoding the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) blood-brain barrier efflux pump is associated with remission and side effects was tested in chronic major depression patients treated with P-gp substrates. In 83 patients from the REVAMP trial, frequency of and time to remission as well as side effects was tested among genotype groups at 6 ABCB1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These six SNPs are significantly associated with remission and time to remission, with minor allele carriers on rs2235040 and rs9282564 attaining statistical significance after controlling for the other ABCB1 SNPs. The six ABCB1 SNPs are also significantly associated with the average side effects. However, here common homozygotes on rs2235040 and rs9282564 demonstrated significantly higher side effects after controlling for the effects of the other ABCB1 SNPs. These findings confirm and extend previous observations that minor alleles of two ABCB1 SNPs predict remission to treatment with substrates and demonstrate that common homozygotes on these SNPs experience greater side effects. Results point to the potential importance of ABCB1 variation for personalized medicine approaches to treating depression.

HPA axis genetic variation, cortisol and psychosis in major depression.

Genetic variation underlying hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis overactivity in healthy controls (HCs) and patients with severe forms of major depression has not been well explored, but could explain risk for cortisol dysregulation. In total, 95 participants were studied: 40 patients with psychotic major depression (PMD); 26 patients with non-psychotic major depression (NPMD); and 29 HCs. Collection of genetic material was added one third of the way into a larger study on cortisol, cognition and psychosis in major depression. Subjects were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Blood was collected hourly for determination of cortisol from 1800 to 0900 h and for the assessment of alleles for six genes involved in HPA axis regulation. Two of the six genes contributed significantly to cortisol levels, psychosis measures or depression severity. After accounting for age, depression and psychosis, and medication status, only allelic variation for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene accounted for a significant variance for mean cortisol levels from 1800 to 0100 h (r(2)=0.288) and from 0100 to 0900 h (r(2)=0.171). In addition, GR and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) genotypes contributed significantly to psychosis measures and CRHR1 contributed significantly to depression severity rating.

Primary cutaneous posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders in solid organ transplant recipients: a multicenter European case series.

Primary cutaneous posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are rare. This retrospective, multicenter study of 35 cases aimed to better describe this entity. Cases were (re)-classified according to the WHO-EORTC or the WHO 2008 classifications of lymphomas. Median interval between first transplantation and diagnosis was 85 months. Fifty-seven percent of patients had a kidney transplant. Twenty-four cases (68.6%) were classified as primary cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) and 11 (31.4%) as primary cutaneous B cell PTLD. Mycosis fungoides (MF) was the most common (50%) CTCL subtype. Ten (90.9%) cutaneous B cell PTLD cases were classified as EBV-associated B cell lymphoproliferations (including one plasmablastic lymphoma and one lymphomatoid granulomatosis) and one as diffuse large B cell lymphoma, other, that was EBV-negative. Sixteen (45.7%) patients died after a median follow-up of 19.5 months (11 [68.8%] with CTCL [6 of whom had CD30(+) lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD)] and 5 [31.2%] with cutaneous B cell PTLD. Median survival times for all patients, CTCL and cutaneous B cell PTLD subgroups were 93, 93, and 112 months, respectively. Survival rates for MF were higher than those for CD30(+) LPD. The spectrum of primary CTCL in organ transplant recipients (OTR) is similar to that in the general population. The prognosis of posttransplant primary cutaneous CD30(+) LPD is worse than posttransplant MF and than its counterpart in the immunocompetent population. EBV-associated cutaneous B cell LPD predominates in OTR.

Genetic polymorphism in Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase chloride transport protein 6 (MTHFR CLCN6) gene is associated with keratinocyte skin cancer in a cohort of renal transplant recipients.

Background: Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are at increased risk of keratinocyte cancer (KC), especially cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Previous studies identified a genetic variant of the Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) gene, C677T, which conferred a risk for diagnosis of cSCC in Irish RTRs. Objective: We sought to find further genetic variation in MTHFR and overlap genes that may be associated with a diagnosis of KC in RTRs. Methods: Genotyping of a combined RTR population (n = 821) from two centres, Ireland (n = 546) and the USA (n = 275), was performed. This included 290 RTRs with KC and 444 without. Eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MTHFR gene and seven in the overlap gene MTHFR Chloride transport protein 6 (CLCN6) were evaluated and association explored by time to event analysis (from transplant to first KC) using Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Polymorphism at MTHFR CLCN6 (rs9651118) was significantly associated with KC in RTRs (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.17-1.91, p < 0.00061) and cSCC (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.14-2.34, p = 0.007). A separate SNP, MTHFR C677T, was also significantly associated with KC in the Irish population (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.05-1.63, p = 0.016), but not American RTRs. Conclusions: We report the association of a SNP in the MTHFR overlap gene, CLCN6 and KC in a combined RTR population. While the exact function of CLCN6 is not known, it is proposed to be involved in folate availability. Future applications could include incorporation in a polygenic risk score for KC in RTRs to help identify those at increased risk beyond traditional risk factor assessment.

The roles of COMT val158met status and aviation expertise in flight simulator performance and cognitive ability.

The polymorphic variation in the val158met position of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is associated with differences in executive performance, processing speed, and attention. The purpose of this study is: (1) replicate previous COMT val158met findings on cognitive performance; (2) determine whether COMT val158met effects extend to a real-world task, aircraft navigation performance in a flight simulator; and (3) determine if aviation expertise moderates any effect of COMT val158met status on flight simulator performance. One hundred seventy two pilots aged 41-69 years, who varied in level of aviation training and experience, completed flight simulator, cognitive, and genetic assessments. Results indicate that although no COMT effect was found for an overall measure of flight performance, a positive effect of the met allele was detected for two aspects of cognitive ability: executive functioning and working memory performance. Pilots with the met/met genotype benefited more from increased levels of expertise than other participants on a traffic avoidance measure, which is a component of flight simulator performance. These preliminary results indicate that COMT val158met polymorphic variation can affect a real-world task.

Viral oncogenesis and its role in nonmelanoma skin cancer.

In recent years, the contribution of viruses to cutaneous oncogenesis has steadily gained recognition. The archetype is human herpesvirus 8, which is well established as the causative agent in Kaposi sarcoma. Other viruses believed to play a role in nonmelanoma skin cancer include human papillomavirus and the recently described Merkel cell polyomavirus. We review the mechanisms by which these three viruses interact with the host cell, ultraviolet radiation and immunosuppression to result in carcinogenesis.

Aberrant DNA methylation associated with MTHFR C677T genetic polymorphism in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in renal transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Changes in genomic DNA methylation associated with cancer include global DNA hypomethylation and gene-specific hyper- or hypomethylation. We have previously identified a genetic variant in the MTHFR gene involved in the methylation pathway which confers risk for the development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in renal transplant patients. This genetic variant has also been discovered to confer SCC risk in nontransplant patients with low folate status. OBJECTIVES: To explore the methylation profile of SCC compared with adjacent non-neoplastic skin using pyrosequencing, and to elucidate whether the MTHFR polymorphism impacts upon the methylation patterns in SCC. METHODS: We used pyrosequencing to evaluate global (using long interspersed nuclear element 1) and gene-specific (p16 and MGMT) methylation status in 47 SCCs and 40 adjacent autologous non-neoplastic skin samples in those with (n = 16) and without (n = 17) the MTHFR polymorphism. RESULTS: Pyrosequencing methylation analysis revealed that SCC was hypomethylated compared with adjacent non-neoplastic skin (P < 0.04). Patients with the MTHFR polymorphism had higher levels of global methylation in tumours and non-neoplastic skin compared with those without the MTHFR polymorphism (P < 0.002). There was no association between levels of methylation in tumour and non-neoplastic skin for the genes MGMT and p16. CONCLUSIONS: Global hypomethylation appears to be a feature of SCC. Aberrant methylation of DNA appears related to polymorphisms of MTHFR. Such findings suggest that intervention in the form of demethylating agents or folate supplementation might be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of SCC.

Ultraviolet radiation and immunosuppression.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a complete carcinogen. The effects of UV radiation are mediated via direct damage to cellular DNA in the skin and suppression of image surveillance mechanisms. In the context of organ transplantation, addiction of drugs which suppress the immune system add greatly to the carcinogenicity of UV radiation. This review considers the mechanisms of such effects.

Predicting outcome in melanoma: where are we now?

Melanoma incidence continues to rise in most countries. This is of grave concern, given the mortality rate in a relatively young population. Current staging tools are limited in their ability to predict accurately those at risk of metastatic disease, relapse and treatment failure. This overview comprehensively reviews relevant literature, with the focus on the last 5 years, and discusses the current state of traditional and emerging novel methods of staging for melanoma and their effect on prognosis in this population.

Skin and systemic pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus following topical application of tacrolimus ointment in adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Systemic exposure to tacrolimus following topical application of tacrolimus ointment is minimal. There are, however, no data on the distribution of tacrolimus in the skin. OBJECTIVES: To assess the distribution of tacrolimus in the skin and the systemic pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis after first and repeated application of tacrolimus ointment. METHODS: We investigated skin distribution of topically applied tacrolimus and systemic pharmacokinetics of percutaneously absorbed tacrolimus in adults with atopic dermatitis after topical application of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment twice daily for 2 weeks. Tacrolimus concentrations were assessed in full-thickness skin biopsies and blood samples. RESULTS: Of 14 patients, 11 completed treatment and were analysed. Mean +/- SD tacrolimus concentrations in the skin at 24 h after first and last ointment applications were 94 +/- 20 and 595 +/- 98 ng cm(-3), respectively. At 168 h after stopping treatment, values were 97% lower than at 24 h after last application. Tacrolimus concentration decreased with increasing skin depth. Systemic tacrolimus exposure after ointment application was low and highly variable, with 31% of samples below the limit of quantification (0.025 ng mL(-1)) and 94% below 1 ng mL(-1). Blood concentrations at 24 h after the first and last ointment applications were 750 and 1800 times lower, respectively, than those in skin. Physicians' assessments showed that tacrolimus ointment was effective and well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Tacrolimus was primarily partitioned in the skin, with minimal systemic absorption after topical application, in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Solar urticaria successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Idiopathic solar urticaria (SU) is a rare, debilitating photodermatosis, which may be difficult to treat. First-line treatment with antihistamines is effective in mild cases, but remission after phototherapeutic induction of tolerance is often short-lived. Other treatment options include plasma exchange, photopheresis and cyclosporin. We present two cases of severe, idiopathic SU, which were resistant to conventional treatment. Both patients achieved remission after administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and have remained in remission at 13 months and 4 years, respectively. There are only two case reports of successful treatment of solar urticaria with IVIg. In our experience IVIg given at a total dose of 2 g/kg over several 5-day courses about a month apart is an effective treatment option for severe idiopathic SU. It is also generally safe, even if certainly subject to significant theoretical risks, such as induction of viral infection or anaphylaxis.

Sweet's syndrome in association with common variable immunodeficiency.

Sweet's syndrome (SS), a rare reactive neutrophilic dermatosis, has been reported to occur in association with a variety of systemic disorders, categorized by von den Diesch into idiopathic, paraneoplastic, pregnancy and parainflammatory subgroups. The parainflammatory group has been well defined, and includes a wide spectrum of infectious triggers and disorders of immune dysregulation. To date, however, no cases of SS have been described in the context of common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). We report a case of paediatric-onset SS, previously reported as idiopathic, with a subsequent diagnosis of CVID.

Melanoma in organ transplant recipients: clinicopathological features and outcome in 100 cases.

Organ transplant recipients have a higher incidence of melanoma compared to the general population but the prognosis of this potentially fatal skin cancer in this group of patients has not yet been established. To address this, we undertook a multicenter retrospective analysis to assess outcome for 100 melanomas (91 posttransplant and 9 pretransplant) in 95 individuals. Data were collected in 14 specialist transplant dermatology clinics across Europe belonging to the Skin Care in Organ Transplant Patients, Europe (SCOPE) Network, and compared with age, sex, tumor thickness and ulceration status-matched controls from the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) melanoma database. Outcome for posttransplant melanoma was similar to that of the general population for T1 and T2 tumors (< or = 2 mm thickness); but was significantly worse for T3 and T4 tumors (> 2 mm thickness); all nine individuals with a pretransplant melanoma survived without disease recurrence following organ transplantation. These data have implications for both cutaneous surveillance in organ transplant recipients and management of transplant-associated melanoma.

Polymorphic light eruption and skin cancer prevalence: is one protective against the other?

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVR) interacts with chromophores in cutaneous cells with consequent antigenicity. The normal response to this is a downregulation of immune responsiveness. Failure of the immune system to downregulate and to ignore transient photoantigens in human skin results in polymorphic light eruption (PLE), the commonest of the photodermatoses. UVR initiates and promotes skin cancer (SC): UV-induced immunosuppression permits the expansion of UV-mutated clones of cells which ultimately lead to SC. OBJECTIVES: Because there is increased immune surveillance and resistance to immune suppression following UVR exposure in PLE one might expect a protective effect of PLE against SC and, conversely, a reduced risk of PLE among patients with SC. METHODS: We therefore constructed a prospective case-control study to see if this were the case. Two groups were studied: a group comprising 214 patients with SC and 210 gender- and aged-matched controls, and a group comprising 100 patients with PLE and 155 gender- and aged-matched controls. Each participant answered a questionnaire aimed at establishing personal and family history of SC and photodermatoses. Skin type and exposure to UVR were also documented. RESULTS: The prevalence of PLE in people with SC was 7.5%, compared with 21.4% for controls (P<0.001). The prevalence of SC in patients with PLE was 4% compared with 7.1% for controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show (i) strong evidence of reduced PLE in patients with SC, and (ii) a trend for reduced SC in patients with PLE. The immunological basis of PLE may therefore confer protection against SC.

A rare case of adult scalp pyoderma gangrenosum with cranial osteolysis.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare and painful idiopathic skin condition that has one or more areas of chronic ulceration with well demarcated and undermined borders. Bone osteolysis (the pathological destruction of bone tissue) secondary to PG is a rare phenomenon with limited cases reported in children only. This is the first case report of scalp PG with cranial osteolysis in an 80-year-old adult, with an initial presentation mimicking skin carcinoma. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting discussion, diagnosis of PG by exclusion and the successful treatment of this patient's PG eroding to the bone.

Recurrence of Kawasaki disease in an adult patient with cholecystitis.

We report recurrence of Kawasaki disease in a 20-year-old man eighteen years after the primary episode. Athough sixty-nine cases have been reported among adults in the literature, this represents only the second case of Kawasaki disease recurring in an adult patient after childhood presentation. Our patient presented with the characteristic mucocutaneous features, fever, arthralgia, epigastric pain and cholecystitis. His presentation was complicated by arthralgias and abnormal liver function tests, which are more common in the adult patient. The diagnosis was made based on clinical findings after the exclusion of other causes of persistent febrile illness. He was successfully treated with high dose aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Despite a second presentation of Kawasaki disease our patient did not have any demonstrable coronary arterial involvement. Although typically a self-limiting disease, cardiac complications can cause significant morbidity and mortality in those not treated with aspirin and IVIG. This report serves to highlight that late recurrence of Kawasaki disease may develop in adults many decades after the initial presentation. A twenty-year-old male, presented to the Emergency department with a one-week history of general malaise. He complained of sore throat, 5-day history of fever (39 degree celsius), epigastric discomfort, rash, nausea, vomiting, generalised arthralgia and myalgia. He was jaundiced with dark urine and pale stools. He had been commenced on oral penicillin three times a day for possible streptococcal infection after the rash had occurred. Past medical history was notable for a previous episode of Kawasaki disease (KD) at 2 years of age, after which there were no adverse sequelae, a history of asthma and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.