[Clinical experience with efalizumab in the Hospital of Cruces]. / Experiencia clínica con efalizumab en el Hospital de Cruces.

Efalizumab (Raptiva) is one of the biological agents approved recently for the treatment of patients with moderate-severe psoriasis who have not responded to conventional treatments. It is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody which, due to its anti-D11 effect, is capable of blocking the endothelial migration and T cell activation on the skin, fundamental processes in the etiopathogeny of psoriasis. We present the experience we have had in our hospital over the last two years with 23 patients who have initiated treatment with efalizumab.

[Adalimumab: the molecule and manufacturing procedure]. / Adalimumab: la molécula y el proceso de obtención.

Adalimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeted toward tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha is proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, as the psoriasis. The production process of adalimumab is complex and it is based in the called phague display technology.

[Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation followed by oral bexarotene in a patient with advanced mycosis fungoides]. / Trasplante autólogo de progenitores hematopoyéticos seguido de bexaroteno oral en paciente con micosis fungoide avanzada.

We describe the case of a 17-year-old patient with rapidly progressing and aggressive mycosis fungoides, with multiple cutaneous tumors and large cell transformation. She was initially treated with 3 cycles of high-dose chemotherapy with mega-CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) without response, leading to the decision to undertake autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Partial remission of the disease was achieved with this treatment and subsequent introduction of oral bexarotene led to complete remission, which has been maintained for more than 3 years with good tolerance of oral therapy. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the use of oral bexarotene.

[Eruptive pseudoangiomatosis: study of 7 cases]. / Pseudoangiomatosis eruptiva: 7 casos clínicos.

INTRODUCTION: Eruptive pseudoangiomatosis consists in the acute development of small vascular lesions in the face and extremities that resolve in several weeks without scarring. Lesions are described as 3-4 mm asymptomatic macules and papules with peripheral whitish halo that blanch upon pressure. Initially it was considered a disease limited to children but it has also been described in adults. It overlaps with the entity known in Japan as <>, possibly caused by an insect named Culex pipiens pallens. METHODS: We report a serie of 7 patients that consulted for lesions compatible with eruptive pseudoangiomatosis. We performed a detailed clinical history and histological, microbiological and serological studies. Follow-up time was up to 4 years. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of patients were women and the mean age was 62 years. All cases appeared in spring/summer and 71 % relapsed. Lesions predominated in the face and extremities and the outbreak lasted 2-4 weeks. The anamnesis did not disclose any specific etiologic agent in any of the cases. Complete laboratory tests including serologies and cultures were negative or within normal limits. Histological study revealed vascular dilatation in all cases with endothelial cell protrusion and a peripheral lymphohistiocytic infiltrate. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, the etiology of this entity is not well established although it probably represents a reactive disorder to different etiologic processes.