[Results of a randomized polychemotherapy study in malignant melanoma]. / Ergebnisse einer randomisierten Polychemotherapiestudie beim malignen Melanom.

A polychemotherapy (DTIC, vincristine, ftorafur, hydroxycarbamide) devised with reference to the results of short-term sensitivity tests in cell culture is compared with single-agent chemotherapy with DTIC in malignant melanoma. Effectiveness was investigated in a randomized prospective study in cases of high-risk melanoma in clinical stage I, in clinical stage II after lymphadenectomy and in clinical stage III after tumour debulking. The results recorded allow no positive effects of either form of chemotherapy in stage I disease compared with surgical treatment only in a control group. In contrast, a statistically significant advantage of the polychemotherapy was noted in stage II compared with a control group. There was no significant difference in the results of treatment between the two forms of chemotherapy in stage III. No complete remissions of long duration have been achieved.

[Model antigens and their significance for occupational dermatology]. / Modellantigene und ihre Bedeutung für die Arbeitsdermatologie.

By means of epicutaneous tests we studied the contact hypersensitivity to DNP-amino acids in individuals sensitized to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). We found a high incidence of positive skin responses to DNP-glycine, di-DNP-L-cystine, and DNP-L-alpha-alanine, but only in some cases DNP-beta-alanine induced skin reactivity. The results are discussed both in connection with the influence of varying molecular sizes and chemical structure on the immunological reactivity and the possibility to develop a beta-alanine containing protective ointment against protein-reactive haptens.

[The importance of prognostic factors in malignant melanoma of the skin]. / Zur Bedeutung der Prognosefaktoren des malignen Melanoms der Haut.

122 primary malignant melanomas of the skin were investigated to estimate the histologically and clinical criteria of melanoma for the prognostic evaluation of the disease. As result the tumor thickness (Breslow) in mm is the best prognostic value. The prognostic index allows an assay to determine the risk of metastases. On this basis it is possible to distinguish between melanomas with high and low risk of metastases. This is important as a criteria for the determination for the adjuvant treatment.

Bullous pemphigoid antigen concentration in normal human skin in relation to body area and age.

The amount of bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPA) in normal human skin on different areas of the body and in bodies of different ages was determined by making endpoint titer estimations using the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Two sera with bullous pemphigoid antibodies were tested with 36 specimens of normal human skin from six cadavers. The greatest expression of BPA was found in plantar sites, whereas the lowest endpoint titers were seen in flexural arm biopsy specimens. Age-dependent differences in BPA expression were detected as well. The oldest individuals tested produced the highest endpoint titers in contrast to the lowest endpoint titers in the youngest. This study suggests that the amount of BPA depends not only on the body region where the biopsy specimen is taken but also on the age of the donor. This is important to know in connection with indirect immunofluorescence assays for BP antibodies on human skin.

[Epidermal reaction kinetics following benzol contact]. / Epidermale Reaktionskinetik nach Benzol-Kontakt.

With benzene as model substance the reaction of the epidermis to different concentrations of harmful substances is examined in animal experiments. This shows that with biometrically unobtrusive results dependent on benzene concentration and penetration time, distinct changes take place in the function of the epidermis cells. These results are essential for the pathogenesis and prophylaxis of skin damaged by exposure to harmful substances at industrially permissible concentrations of noxa.

[Relationship between accidental injuries and the course of malignant melanoma]. / Zum Zusammenhang von Unfalltrauma und Verlauf des malignen Melanoms der Haut.

On a case report the possible role of traumatisation in acceleration of progress of malignant melanoma was demonstrated. The factors determining the clinical course of malignant melanoma are in the majority unknown. In the individual case with a provable causality of trauma on the acceleration of tumor progress a pretension for insurance es legal. This decision takes into consideration the special aspects of each particular case.