Sphingolipid metabolism and regulated cell death in malignant melanoma.

Malignant melanoma (MM) is a highly invasive and therapeutically resistant skin malignancy, posing a significant clinical challenge in its treatment. Programmed cell death plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of MM. Sphingolipids (SP), as a class of bioactive lipids, may be associated with many kinds of diseases. SPs regulate various forms of programmed cell death in tumors, including apoptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and more. This review will delve into the mechanisms by which different types of SPs modulate various forms of programmed cell death in MM, such as their regulation of cell membrane permeability and signaling pathways, and how they influence the survival and death fate of MM cells. An in-depth exploration of the role of SPs in programmed cell death in MM aids in unraveling the molecular mechanisms of melanoma development and holds significant importance in developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Role of nutritional support in nursing practice for improving surgical site wound healing in patients post-surgery with risk of pressure ulcers.

To explore the role of nutritional support in nursing practice on postoperative surgical site wound healing in patients undergoing surgery at risk for pressure ulcers. This study adopted a retrospective experimental design and included a total of 60 patients at risk of pressure ulcers, divided into a nutritional support group and a control group, with 30 people in each group. The nutritional support group implemented specific nutritional support measures after surgery, while the control group received standard postoperative care. Outcome measures included redness and swelling scores, edema scores, anxiety assessments, pain scores, bleeding volume, recovery time and incidence of pressure ulcers. The result indicates that patients who received nutritional support exhibited lower postoperative wound redness and swelling scores compared to the control group (3.11 ± 0.45 vs. 4.85 ± 0.74, p < 0.05). Additionally, the nutritional support group showed significantly lower edema scores (2.75 ± 0.37 vs. 3.53 ± 0.62, p < 0.05). Anxiety levels, as measured by the anxiety assessment scale (SAS), were also lower in the nutritional support group (6.52 ± 1.19 vs. 7.60 ± 1.62, p < 0.05). Moreover, the average healing time was shorter for the nutritional support group (7.27 ± 1.36 days) compared to the control group (9.71 ± 1.84 days, p < 0.05). Postoperative pain scores were lower in the nutritional support group (4.13 ± 0.72 vs. 5.43 ± 0.62, p < 0.05), and patient satisfaction scores were higher (9.42 ± 0.76 vs. 7.25 ± 0.81, p < 0.05). Nutritional support has a positive effect on postoperative wound healing at surgical sites in patients at risk of pressure ulcers in nursing practice. It can significantly reduce redness, swelling, edema, anxiety, and pain scores, reduce bleeding, shorten recovery time, and reduce pressure ulcers. incidence rate.

Pediatric Primary Cutaneous Lymphoma in China: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and clinical features of primary cutaneous lymphoma (PCL) tend to differ by age, gender, geographical, and racial variation. All-aged and adult groups of PCL in various regions have been well demonstrated and compared, while the research concentrating on pediatric PCL is rare, especially in Asian countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of PCL in pediatric population at a single center in China. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 101 pediatric cases with PCL, diagnosed at the Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2010 to December 2021. RESULTS: Mycosis fungoides (MF), accounting for 41.6% of the total cases, was the most common subtype in pediatric PCL, and the hypopigmented MF accounted for 47.6% of all the MF cases. Lymphomatoid papulosis and chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection tied for second place with a proportion of 22.8%. Primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma, subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma, primary cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma, rare subtypes and primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, respectively, accounted for 2.0%, 4.0%, 4.0%, and 3.0%. Most patients had favorable prognosis during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The study suggested that MF was the most common subtype in pediatric PCL in China, and most types of pediatric PCL had favorable prognosis.

Effect of Ca2+ binding states of calmodulin on the conformational dynamics and force responses of myosin lever arm.

The mechanochemical coupling and biological function of myosin motors are regulated by Ca2+ concentrations. As one of the regulation pathways, Ca2+ binding induces a conformational change of the light chain calmodulin and its binding modes with a myosin lever arm, which can affect the stiffness of the lever arm and force transmission. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of the Ca2+ regulated stiffness change is not fully understood. Here, we study the effect of Ca2+ binding on the conformational dynamics and stiffness of the myosin VIIa lever arm bound with a calmodulin by performing molecular dynamics simulations and dynamic correlation network analysis. The results showed that the calmodulin bound lever arm at an apo state can sample three different conformations. In addition to the conformation observed in a crystal structure, a calmodulin bound lever arm at the apo condition can also adopt other two conformations featured by different extents of small-angle bending of the lever arm. However, large-angle bending is strongly prohibited. Such results suggest that the calmodulin bound lever arm without Ca2+ binding is plastic for small-angle deformation but shows high stiffness for large-angle deformation. In comparison, after the binding of Ca2+, although the calmodulin bound lever arm is locally more rigid, it can adopt largely deformed or even unfolded conformations, which may render the lever arm incompetent for force transmission. The conformational plasticity of the lever arm for small-angle deformation at the apo condition may be used as a force buffer to prevent the lever arm from unfolding during the power stroke action of the motor domain.

Lymphomatoid papulosis with pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia in a 7-year-old girl: a case report.

Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) belongs to the group of cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders. Pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia has rarely been reported in patients with LyP. In this report, we describe a case of LyP presenting as pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia. The patient was a 7-year-old girl who presented with a recurrent papulonodular eruption on her face and trunk for 2 months. Histopathologic examination revealed an irregular growth of hyperkeratotic epidermis into the whole dermal layer with marked nests of squamous cells in the background of diffuse atypical lymphoid cells, eosinophils and neutrophils. The large atypical cells were positive for CD30 and CD3, but negative for CD4, CD5, CD8, CD20 and CD56. A TCR-γ clone was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The correct diagnosis in cases of LyP with overlying pseudocarcinomatous epithelial hyperplasia can be very difficult both clinically and histopathologically. Clinical and histopathologic characteristics should be integrated to avoid an erroneous diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma or keratoacanthoma.

Multiple verruciform xanthomas in the setting of congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defects syndrome.

Congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defects (CHILD) syndrome is a rare X-linked dominant disease characterized by peculiar cutaneous presentations and skeletal abnormalities. Verruciform xanthoma (VX)-like histologic changes occasionally occur in CHILD syndrome, but typical VX-like lesions coexisting with CHILD syndrome are rare. In this study we report a rare case of multiple, coexisting VXs on the vulva and left lower limb of an 11-year-old Chinese girl who also exhibited the typical clinical presentations and limb defects of CHILD syndrome. Histologic and immunohistochemical analyses showed that the lesions were typical VXs.

[Clinicopathological analysis of 14 cases of early stage dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans].

OBJECTIVE: To improve understanding of the clinical and histopathological features of early stage dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans(DFSP). METHODS: The clinical data and histopathological findings of 14 cases of early stage DFSP diagnosed in Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from 2008 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The patients were mostly young people. The average age of onset was 21 years old. The progress was slow. The initial main manifestations were well-circumscribed atrophic erythema or sclerotic plaque, and subcutaneous nodules appeared gradually based on the erythema. Histopathology showed a small number of tumor cells in the upper dermis, aligned parallel to the epidermis with wavy arrangement, while the tumor cells exhibited typical DFSP changes in the lower dermis and the subcutaneous fat. The tumor cells expressed vimentin and CD34, but not S100 and CD68. CONCLUSIONS: Because the clinical and histological features are atypical, the early stage of DFSP is easily misdiagnosed as various benign diseases. Repeated biopsy and combining clinical features with pathological findings are helpful for diagnosis.

[Lymphomatoid papulosis: a clinicopathologic study of 22 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical presentation, histopathological features, progression, and treatment of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on clinicopathological data of 22 patients diagnosed with LyP from June 2010 to March 2015 in Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. RESULT: The mean age of the 22 LyP patients was 39 years (range: 7-83 years). The male-to-female ratio was 1:1. The areas predominantly affected were the trunks, followed by limbs and face. Most lesions presented as recurrent eruption of erythema, papule, nodules, ulcer, necrosis and crusting. Some of them leaved hyperpigmentation or atrophic scars on healing. Histopathologically, LyP were devided into types A, B, C, D and E, with 12, 1, 1, 3, and 4 cases in each type, respectively, and one case of mixed type B and C. One of the patients was also diagnosed with primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma besides the diagnosis of LyP. Among the 15 patients with follow-up information available, 11 patients were treated with regimens including oral corticosteroids, methotrexate, tripchlorolide, intramuscular injection of interferon, phototherapy, and topical corticosteroids. The mean follow-up time was 22 (1-54) months.All the patients were alive at the end of the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: LyP is a low-grade malignant T-cell lymphoma with a benign clinical course but histologically malignant features. Multi-agent chemotherapy is unnecessary. Patients with LyP are likely to have an favorable prognosis.

[Survey of urology nurses on occupation protection from intravesical chemotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the awareness of self protection and practice of nurses from urology department when giving intravesical chemotherapy to patients with urinary bladder cancer. METHODS: One survey via a self-designed questionnaire and an on-the-spot examination of anticancer drugs preparing were done and compared among 42 nurses from urology department and 48 nurses from oncology department. RESULTS: All nurses from oncology department were trained with anticancer drugs-associated knowledge and 83.3% nurses from urology department had received some training (P<0.05). Over 64.6%nurses from department of medical oncology were familiar with all the five parts of chemotherapy drugs protection protocol, while only 40.5%nurses from department of urology were aware of them. During the on-the-spot examination, 50.0% and 21.4% nurses respectively from oncology department and urology department could complete seven anticancer drugs preparation procedure correctly (P <0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The nurses from urology department had weak awareness of self protection and were lack of chemotherapy associated training and standard practice when giving intravesical chemotherapy. It is imperative to work out a protection plan to educate the nurses and establish the protocols for preparing anticancer drugs to reduce the occurrence of occupational hazard.

Human papillomavirus-related psychosocial impact of patients with genital warts in China: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Genital warts (GW) are the most common sexually transmitted infections. To date, few studies using a human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific questionnaire have focused on the impact of quality of life (QoL) among patients with GW in developing countries. The origins of GW related psychosocial burdens and variations between genders were poorly characterized as well. METHODS: A hospital-based survey was conducted in Beijing and Nanjing of China in 2008. Eligible patients aged 18-65 who had a diagnosis of GW within 3 months were recruited. Demographic information, HPV knowledge, and assessment of psychosocial burden were collected by the HPV Impact Profile (HIP). The HIP examined 7 specific psychosocial domains by 29 items: (1) worries and concerns, (2) emotional impact, (3) sexual impact, (4) self-image, (5) partner and transmission, (6) interactions with physicians, and (7) control/life impact. HIP scores are reversely relates to the subjects' QoL, by which a higher score indicating a heavier psychosocial burden. RESULTS: Patients with GW experienced heavier psychosocial burdens than those of the general population, and females experienced heavier burdens than males (male vs. female: 49.20 vs.51.38, P < 0.001). "Self Image" and "Sexual Impact" were the two domains that affected patients the most, with mean HIP scores of 63.09 and 61.64, respectively. Women suffered heavier psychosocial burdens than men in the domain of "Worries and Concerns" (female vs. male: 54.57 vs. 42.62, P < 0.001), but lower psychosocial burdens in the domains of "Sexual Impact" (female vs. male: 59.16 vs. 65.26, P < 0.001) and "Interactions with Doctors" (female vs. male: 34.40 vs. 41.97, P < 0.001). Patients from Nanjing suffered a higher psychosocial burden than those of Beijing, especially in domains of "Emotional Impact", "Sexual Impact", "Partner and Transmission", and "Interactions with Doctors". CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GW suffered heavy psychological burden, and self-image and sexual-related concern were the primary cause of burdens. It's important to change the current biomedical model to bio-psycho-social model, and establish psychosocial support systems. The distinctions of origins of psychosocial burden between genders identified will be informative for prevention of GW and control efforts in China and other similar settings.

[Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: a clinicopathologic study of 7 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the clinicopathological understanding of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). METHODS: A total of 7 BPDCN patients were recruited from 2009 to 2013. And their clinicopathological and immunohistological features, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 6 males and 1 female. The median age range was 60 (6-72) years at the time of diagnosis. The skin lesion at the time of diagnosis presented as generalized (n = 6) or solitary (n = 1) plaques or nodules. Histologic examination showed a diffuse or nodular infiltrate composed of intermediate-sized cells in dermis sparing epidermis area. The tumor cells contained round to ovoid nucleus, finely dispersed chromatin and 1 or 2 small-sized nucleoli. Most neoplastic cells were positive for CD4, CD56 and CD123 while negative for CD3, CD20, CD30, CD34, CD79a, MPO and EBER. Two patients received chemotherapy.One had no response while another relapsed rapidly. Two patients had a spontaneous regression of skin lesions and one died 2 years later. And no systematic infiltration was detected at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: BPDCN is a rare hematopoietic malignancy with specific immunophenotypes.It primarily affects elderly males and frequently presents initially as cutaneous involvement.It may be easily misdiagnosed and has a rapid course and a poor prognosis.

The establishment of a novel upper cervical complex fracture classification system.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Upper cervical complex fractures are associated with high rates of neurological damage and mortality. The Dickman's classification is widely used in the diagnosis of upper cervical complex fractures. However, it falls short of covering the full spectrum of complex fractures. This limitation hinders effective diagnosis and treatment of these injuries. PURPOSE: To address the diagnostic gap in upper cervical complex fractures, the study introduces a novel classification system for these injuries, assessing its reliability and usability. STUDY DESIGN: Proposal of a new classification system for upper cervical complex fractures. PATIENT SAMPLE: The study comprised the clinical data of 242 patients with upper cervical complex fractures, including 32 patients treated at our hospital, along with an additional 210 cases from the literature. OUTCOME MEASURES: The inter-observer and intra-observer reliability (kappa coefficient, κ) of this classification system were investigated by 3 spine surgeons. The 3 researchers independently re-evaluated the upper cervical complex fracture classification system 3 months later. METHODS: The proposed classification categorizes upper cervical complex fractures into 3 main types: Type I combines odontoid and Hangman's fractures into 2 subtypes; Type II merges C1 with odontoid/Hangman's fractures into 3 subtypes; and Type III encompasses a combination of C1, odontoid, and Hangman's fractures, divided into 2 subtypes. Meanwhile, a questionnaire was administered in 15 assessors to evaluate the system's ease of use and clinical applicability. RESULTS: A total of 45 cases (18.6%) unclassifiable by Dickman's classification were successfully categorized using our system. The mean κ value of inter-observer reliability was 0.783, indicating substantial reliability. The mean κ value of intra-observer reliability was 0.862, indicating almost perfect reliability. Meanwhile, thirteen assessors (87.7%) stated that the classification system is easy to remember, easy to apply, and they expressed intentions to apply it in clinical practice in the future. CONCLUSIONS: This system not only offers high confidence and reproducibility but also serves as a precise guide for clinicians in formulating treatment plans. Future prospective applications are warranted to further evaluate this classification system.

Colonoscopic titanium clipping to Maddress appendiceal stump leakage: a case report.

The incidence of appendiceal stump leakage (ASL) is extremely low and heterogeneous, which has been reported to be approximately 0.5%-1.0%. It is a catastrophic complication with high mortality rate despite its low morbidity. Once it occurs, it will put the doctor in a passive position because dealing with the leakage is much more cumbersome than appendectomy. We extensively reviewed the literature on ASL, focusing on the management and prognosis. Unsurprisingly, all of the physicians advocated extended resection, which apparently gave them sufficient confidence. However, partial cecum resection, cecostomy, or terminal ileectomy is extremely invasive and destructive. So, the patients had to experience great mental and physical trauma, longer hospital stays, higher rates of wound infection, more costs, and even a third surgery. Therefore, are there any better approaches for ASL? In this article, we report a case of ASL who successfully underwent endoscopic treatment. A 70-year-old male was admitted with gangrenous perforated appendicitis with a large iliopsoas abscess. Appendectomy, iliopsoas abscess debridement and sufficient drainage, appendicular stump repair and closure, and terminal ileostomy were performed. Three months later, the patient was readmitted and the stoma reversal was performed as scheduled. Seven days later, ASL was found when a liquid diet was applied routinely due to right lower quadrant pain and low fever. Finally, with the periappendiceal abscess completely drained, we clamped the appendiceal orifice with five titanium clips under an electronic colonoscope, which eventually sealed the leakage and avoided extended resection.

Identification of survival-associated biomarkers based on three datasets by bioinformatics analysis in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with poor prognosis in terms of advanced stage. However, the survival-associated biomarkers for GC remains unclear. AIM: To investigate the potential biomarkers of the prognosis of patients with GC, so as to provide new methods and strategies for the treatment of GC. METHODS: RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database of STAD tumors, and microarray data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE19826, GSE79973 and GSE29998) were obtained. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between GC patients and health people were picked out using R software (x64 4.1.3). The intersections were underwent between the above obtained co-expression of differential genes (co-DEGs) and the DEGs of GC from Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis database, and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Protein-protein Interaction (PPI) analysis and Kaplan-Meier Plotter survival analysis were performed on these DEGs. Using Immunohistochemistry (IHC) database of Human Protein Atlas (HPA), we verified the candidate Hub genes. RESULTS: With DEGs analysis, there were 334 co-DEGs, including 133 up-regulated genes and 201 down-regulated genes. GO enrichment analysis showed that the co-DEGs were involved in biological process, cell composition and molecular function pathways. KEGG enrichment analysis suggested the co-DEGs pathways were mainly enriched in ECM-receptor interaction, protein digestion and absorption pathways, etc. GSEA pathway analysis showed that co-DEGs mainly concentrated in cell cycle progression, mitotic cell cycle and cell cycle pathways, etc. PPI analysis showed 84 nodes and 654 edges for the co-DEGs. The survival analysis illustrated 11 Hub genes with notable significance for prognosis of patients were screened. Furtherly, using IHC database of HPA, we confirmed the above candidate Hub genes, and 10 Hub genes that associated with prognosis of GC were identified, namely BGN, CEP55, COL1A2, COL4A1, FZD2, MAOA, PDGFRB, SPARC, TIMP1 and VCAN. CONCLUSION: The 10 Hub genes may be the potential biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of GC, which can provide new strategies and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of GC.

Construction and Identification of an NLR-Associated Prognostic Signature Revealing the Heterogeneous Immune Response in Skin Cutaneous Melanoma.

Background: Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is the deadliest dermatology tumor. Ongoing researches have confirmed that the NOD-like receptors (NLRs) family are crucial in driving carcinogenesis. However, the function of NLRs signaling pathway-related genes in SKCM remains unclear. Objective: To establish and identify an NLRs-related prognostic signature and to explore its predictive power for heterogeneous immune response in SKCM patients. Methods: Establishment of the predictive signature using the NLRs-related genes by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-Cox regression analysis (LASSO-COX algorithm). Through univariate and multivariate COX analyses, NLRs signature's independent predictive effectiveness was proven. CIBERSORT examined the comparative infiltration ratios of 22 distinct types of immune cells. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry implemented expression validation for critical NLRs-related prognostic genes in clinical samples. Results: The prognostic signature, including 7 genes, was obtained by the LASSO-Cox algorithm. In TCGA and validation cohorts, SKCM patients with higher risk scores had remarkably poorer overall survival. The independent predictive role of this signature was confirmed by multivariate Cox analysis. Additionally, a graphic nomogram demonstrated that the risk score of the NLRs signature has high predictive accuracy. SKCM patients in the low-risk group revealed a distinct immune microenvironment characterized by the significantly activated inflammatory response, interferon-α/γ response, and complement pathways. Indeed, several anti-tumor immune cell types were significantly accumulated in the low-risk group, including M1 macrophage, CD8 T cell, and activated NK cell. It is worth noting that our NLRs prognostic signature could serve as one of the promising biomarkers for predicting response rates to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Furthermore, the results of expression validation (RT-qPCR and IHC) were consistent with the previous analysis. Conclusion: A promising NLRs signature with excellent predictive efficacy for SKCM was developed.

A case of pagetoid reticulosis treated with topical photodynamic therapy.

A 70-year-old male presented with reddish brown, keratotic plaque on his left leg which had grown slowly for ten years. The histopathological examination revealed acanthosis and bands of lymphocytes with significant epidermotropism. The intraepidermal lymphocytes showed large, pleomorphic and hyperchromatic nuclei with distinct nucleoli and perinuclear halos, positive for CD3, CD4 and CD30, negative for CD8, CD20 and high in Ki67 index. Accordingly, the diagnosis of Pagetoid reticulosis was made. The patient was then treated with topical photodynamic therapy once a week sequential to partial in-situ resection and preliminary skin dermabrasion and finally achieved complete remission without obvious scars or recurrence after four sessions.

PLA2G6 Silencing Suppresses Melanoma Progression and Affects Ferroptosis Revealed by Quantitative Proteomics.

Although phospholipase A2 group VI (PLA2G6) is involved in oncogenesis in several human tumors, its expression and role in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, by using the Oncomine and CCLE online database, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and western blotting analysis, we revealed that PLA2G6 was markedly up-regulated in CMM tissues compared to nevus tissues, as well as remarkably increased in vitro in SK-MEL-28 and M14 melanoma cell lines compared to human melanocytes. In vivo, PLA2G6 was also elevated in nine melanoma tissues compared to adjacent tissues. To investigate the malignant behaviors of PLA2G6 in CMM, SK-MEL-28 and M14 cell lines with PLA2G6 stable knockdown by RNAi strategy were constructed. Through CCK8 and colony formation assays in vitro and xenograft tumor experiment in vivo, we found that knockdown of PLA2G6 dramatically inhibited cell proliferation. The results of scratch-wound and transwell assays suggested that the migration and invasion of melanoma cells were prominently suppressed after silencing PLA2G6. In addition, flow cytometry showed that the knockdown of PLA2G6 promoted the apoptosis rate of melanoma cells. To further explore the potential molecular mechanism, we used liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomic and bioinformatics analysis. The GO and KEGG analysis suggested that the underlying mechanism of PLA2G6 in CMM might be associated with the ferroptosis pathway, and ferroptosis-related proteins were validated to be differentially expressed in PLA2G6 knockdown SK-MEL-28 and M14 cells. Together, these results suggested that PLA2G6 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation, metastasis, and promoted apoptosis in melanoma. Our findings on the biological function of PLA2G6 and the underlying association between PLA2G6 and ferroptosis in melanoma may contribute to developing a potential therapeutic strategy for melanoma.

Hypopigmented Mycosis Fungoides: A Clinicopathological Review of 32 Patients.

Background: Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (hMF) is gradually acknowledged by more dermatologists, yet a consensus regarding its characteristics is not reached. The profile of Chinese hMF patients has not been deeply reviewed previously. Our research may contribute to the understanding of hMF, especially the Chinese patients with Fitzpatrick phototypes of III and IV. Aim: To have a better understanding of hMF in terms of clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features in the Chinese population and to determine if there are differences between the Chinese population and other ethnic groups. Methods: We made a retrospective analysis of clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features of 32 hMF patients in our hospital from 2010 to 2020. These features were then summarized and compared with previous reports. Results: All patients belonged to Fitzpatrick phototypes of III or IV. Twenty-one male (65.63%) patients and 11 female (34.37%) patients were analyzed, and the male to female ratio was 1.9:1. The age at diagnosis of patients ranged from 4 to 39 years, and the average age at diagnosis of these patients was 18 years, the median age was 16.5. Back was the most frequent site (34.37%). The clinical and histological results of lesions had no distinctive points. Immunohistochemically, among these 32 patients, there were 30 patients whose information was complete, there was 19 patients (63.33%) who were CD8 positive lymphocytes predominance, 9 patients (30%) had CD8 and CD4 positive lymphocyte mixed infiltration, and other 2 patients (6.67%) had CD4 positive lymphocytes predominance. Partial loss of CD7 was only observed in 1 patient (3.33%). Nearly all patients adopted topical nitrogen mustard and topical steroid and most of them had an excellent prognosis. Conclusion: The clinical profiles of hMF in Chinese population shared differences with other ethnic groups, but its histopathological, immunohistochemical results and prognosis condition were resembled with other previous reports. Hence, more patients were needed to find the characteristics of hMF.