Off-Label 9-Valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Actinic Keratosis: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The suspected link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and the development of premalignant and malignant skin lesions remains inadequately examined in clinical settings. This case series describes HPV vaccination as an off-label adjuvant therapy for actinic keratosis (AK). METHODS: Twelve immunocompetent AK patients underwent HPV vaccination at a private dermatology clinic in Naestved, Denmark. Prior to vaccination, all patients demonstrated a high AK burden that required regular control visits. At 0, 2, and 6 months, the patients received an intramuscular injection of a commercially available 9-valent HPV vaccine. Concurrently, patients continued conventional AK therapies at 3-month intervals. Clinical response, consisting of reduction in AK number and general change in skin appearance, was assessed by a dermatologist over 12 months following first vaccination. RESULTS: All patients (mean age 76.2 years; 10 M and 2 F) completed the vaccine schedule. Overall, an average 85% reduction in total AK burden was recorded 12 months after beginning vaccination. Median AK burden thus fell from 56 (IQR: 44-80) to 13.5 (IQR: 1-18) lesions after 12 months. Lesion reduction was observable by the second inoculation at month 2 (34 AKs; IQR 22-80), continuing steadily until month 6 (15 AKs; IQR 5-30) and plateauing between 6 and 12 months. Clinically, HPV vaccination elicited fading of lesions' erythematous background after the first dose, often followed by sloughing of hyperkeratotic elements in subsequent weeks. Patients reported no adverse effects related to HPV vaccination. CONCLUSION: This case series introduces the possibility that 9-valent HPV vaccination in combination with conventional treatments may be used as a therapeutic strategy for AK.

Optimized UVB treatment of atopic dermatitis using skin reflectance measurements. A controlled, left-right comparison trial.

In a randomized, open, left-right comparison study, 20 patients with atopic dermatitis were treated with UVB. One side of the body received UVB in a conventional regimen with fixed dosage increments, the other side was given UVB dosages according to skin reflectance measurements of skin pigmentation and erythema. Clinical outcome was assessed by SCORAD. The initial, final and cumulative UVB dosages, time to 50% reduction in SCORAD, and side effects were compared. The initial UVB dosage was somewhat higher in the skin reflectance-guided treatment than in the conventional UVB regimen, although not significantly. There was no difference in the reduction of SCORAD comparing the two treatment options; however, the final UVB dosage and the cumulative UVB dosages were significantly lower in the optimized regimen. This new technique offers the same therapeutic advantage and security as a dose regimen guided by minimal erythema dose testing. However, measurement of skin pigmentation by skin reflectance is a rapid method, which can easily be operated by nurses.

The silver-releasing foam dressing, Contreet Foam, promotes faster healing of critically colonised venous leg ulcers: a randomised, controlled trial.

The study compared the effect of a sustained silver-release foam dressing (Contreet Foam) with a foam dressing (Allevyn Hydrocellular) without added silver in critically colonised venous leg ulcers with delayed healing. The study was a multicentre, open, randomised, controlled study lasting for 4 weeks. Ulcer area and healing were assessed weekly. Odour, maceration, absorption capacity and leakage were evaluated at dressing changes. All adverse events were recorded. One hundred and twenty-nine patients were included (Contreet Foam: 65, Allevyn Hydrocellular: 64). The two groups were comparable in all respects. After 4 weeks, there was a significantly greater reduction in ulcer area in the Contreet Foam group (45%) than in the Allevyn Hydrocellular group (25%). After 1 and 4 weeks, odour was present in significantly less of the ulcers in the Contreet Foam group (17% and 19%, respectively) compared with the Allevyn Hydrocellular group (47% and 39%, respectively) and at the final visit there were significantly fewer leakages in the Contreet Foam group (19%) compared with the Allevyn Hydrocellular group (49%). Also, less maceration was observed after 1 and 4 weeks in the Contreet Foam group (34% and 37%, respectively) compared with the Allevyn Hydrocellular group (55% and 48%, respectively). The occurrence and cause of adverse events were equally distributed between the study groups. The present study provides evidence of the superior performance of the silver-releasing dressing, Contreet Foam, compared with a traditional moist foam wound healing dressing in the treatment of critically colonised, chronic venous leg ulcers. The results of this randomised, controlled study suggest an important role of sustained silver-releasing dressings in the treatment of critically colonised chronic wounds.