[Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma: a rare cause of localized lymphedema]. / Plasmazytoides Urothelkarzinom: eine seltene Ursache des lokalisierten Lymphödems.

Localized lymphedema of the genital region is a rare medical condition. It is named primary lymphedema if caused by a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system. Secondary lymphedemas might be induced by exogenous damage to lymphatic vessels as a result of surgical interventions, obesity, filariasis, radiotherapy or malignancy. We report a case of localized lymphedema of the genial region for which a previously unknown urothelial carcinoma turned out to be the underlying cause.

Effect of Anti-S100A4 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment on Experimental Skin Fibrosis and Systemic Sclerosis-Specific Transcriptional Signatures in Human Skin.

OBJECTIVE: S100A4 is a DAMP protein. S100A4 is overexpressed in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and levels correlate with organ involvement and disease activity. S100A4-/- mice are protected from fibrosis. The aim of this study was to assess the antifibrotic effects of anti-S100A4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in murine models of SSc and in precision cut skin slices of patients with SSc. METHODS: The effects of anti-S100A4 mAbs were evaluated in a bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis model and in Tsk-1 mice with a therapeutic dosing regimen. In addition, the effects of anti-S100A4 mAbs on precision cut SSc skin slices were analyzed by RNA sequencing. RESULTS: Inhibition of S100A4 was effective in the treatment of pre-established bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis and in regression of pre-established fibrosis with reduced dermal thickening, myofibroblast counts, and collagen accumulation. Transcriptional profiling demonstrated targeting of multiple profibrotic and proinflammatory processes relevant to the pathogenesis of SSc on targeted S100A4 inhibition in a bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis model. Moreover, targeted S100A4 inhibition also modulated inflammation- and fibrosis-relevant gene sets in precision cut SSc skin slices in an ex vivo trial approach. Selected downstream targets of S100A4, such as AMP-activated protein kinase, calsequestrin-1, and phosphorylated STAT3, were validated on the protein level, and STAT3 inhibition was shown to prevent the profibrotic effects of S100A4 on fibroblasts in human skin. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of S100A4 confers dual targeting of inflammatory and fibrotic pathways in complementary mouse models of fibrosis and in SSc skin. These effects support the further development of anti-S100A4 mAbs as disease-modifying targeted therapies for SSc.

Paradoxical tralokinumab-induced psoriasis in a patient with atopic dermatitis.

Purpose: Although psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) were for decades considered to be opposing diseases, it is now known that these skin conditions can coexist or even overlap in the same individual. Especially when using modern drugs with targeted IL inhibition, the balance between Th1 and Th2 immunity can be disturbed. In line with it, numerous clinical cases of AD have been induced by antipsoriatic biologics (e.g., TNF-alpha, IL-23, or IL-17 inhibitors), and IL-4-/IL-13 inhibition by dupilumab also resulted in paradoxical psoriasis in patients with AD.Materials and methods: Herein, we describe a case of psoriasis vulgaris in a patient with intrinsic AD after systemic treatment with the anti-IL-13 antibody tralokinumab.Results: We present a 36-years-old male patient with a severe course of an intrinsic atopic dermatitis and dyshidrotic hand eczema. He responded well to the therapy with tralokinumab. However, about 7 months after the start of anti-IL-13 treatment the patient developed psoriasiform lesions. The drug was then discontinued. Currently, the patient is receiving topical therapy with topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors with stable course of psoriasis and AD.Conclusions: This case suggests, that not only a dual IL-4-/IL-13-blockade, but also a selective IL-13-inhibition is able to skew immune responses toward IL-17 cytokine pathway-related disease. However, no clinical scores exist to predict the development of paradoxical psoriasis in patients with AD during therapy with biologics.

[Successful treatment of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis with red or green light photodynamic therapy]. / Erfolgreiche Therapie der kutanen Leishmaniose der Alten Welt mit photodynamischer Therapie unter Einsatz von Rot- oder Grünlicht.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the most common travel dermatoses in Germany, which can be acquired not only in Africa, Asia or the American continent, but also in southern European countries. In addition to the currently available topical and systemic therapy options, there have been increasing reports of successful treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with photodynamic therapy (PDT) using numerous therapy regimens and different photosensitizers in recent years. We report on successful photodynamic therapy of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis with red and green light PDT with 10% 5­aminolevulinic acid.

Sexually acquired pubogenital dermatophytosis induced by Trichophyton quinckeanum.

Tinea corporis is a common superficial dermatophytosis mostly located at the trunk and extremities. In contrast, tinea of the anogenital region is rare and predominantly occurs in tropical countries. In recent years, a distinctive variant of pubogenital tinea (PT) characterized by deep tissue infiltration and systemic symptoms has been reported, and transmission via sexual contacts has been hypothezised. In the majority of cases, a new genotype of Trichophyton mentagrophytes classified as T. mentagrophytes VII was detected as the causative pathogen. We report a case of PT caused by T. quinckeanum that experienced a strong inflammatory reaction following initiation of successful antifungal treatment with itraconazole.

Baricitinib for recalcitrant subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with concomitant frontal fibrosing alopecia.

We read with great interest the recently published article by Joos et al. on the successful use of baricitinib for cutaneous lupus erythematosus. The authors presented a heavily pretreated case of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) with almost complete clearance following 6 months of baricitinib therapy. We would like to add our experiences of baricitinib for SCLE in a patient with concomitant frontal fibrosing alopecia.

Knowledge and Self-Efficacy Assessment of Residents and Fellows Following Palliative Care Unit Rotation: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, some units of specialized palliative care (SPC) offer a 6- to 12-month rotation for resident physicians (RPs) and fellows from different specialties. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to evaluate feasibility of assessing palliative care knowledge (PCK) and palliative care self-efficacy (PCSE) using a paper-based questionnaire. METHODS: Palliative care knowledge and PCSE were assessed by introducing a score, followed by a descriptive analysis (determination of frequency, mean, median, and range) using nonparametric tests (χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test). RESULTS: We assessed 17 RPs following SPC rotation and 16 board-certified specialists (BCSs) who had no experience in SPC from 3 German comprehensive cancer centers. Resident physicians were predominantly enrolled in residency programs of hematology and oncology (n = 6), anesthesiology (n = 6), and psychosomatic medicine (n = 3). Resident physicians rotated between year 1 and 8 of residency. Fifteen RPs (88%) had elected this rotation and 72% preferred 12-month duration. The total PCK score of PCK was 27 (RPs) and 24 (BCSs; P = .002). Mean PCSE scores were 46 (RPs) and 39 (BCSs; P = .016). Of 71% of RPs, only 27% of BCSs knew how support of hospice service was initiated ( P = .004). Participants rated the items as comprehensible (n = 24; 73%), relevant (n = 25; 76%) and the questionnaire as adequately long (n = 23; 70%). CONCLUSION: An improved PCK and PCSE were observed in physicians who rotated through an SPC unit; this resulted in an increased tangibility of local palliative care and hospice services. The questionnaire was comprehensible, relevant in terms of content, and adequate in length for a prospective multicenter survey.