Factors Affecting the Response and Patient Satisfaction of Topical Immunotherapy in Alopecia Areata: A Nationwide Study.

BACKGROUND: Contact immunotherapy using diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is a recommended treatment for severe alopecia areata (AA); however, few clinical factors are known, and few standardized application methods affecting therapeutic efficacy have been devised. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the therapeutic response of DPCP immunotherapy in AA, first we analyze the factors influencing its outcome and patient satisfaction levels, after which we standardize the DPCP treatment method for better outcomes. METHODS: We utilized a nationwide questionnaire-based survey to assess patient satisfaction and undertook a medical record review involving 412 patients currently undergoing treatment for DPCP. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 36.4 years, and 27% of the cases were diagnosed as AA in childhood. Treatment response was higher when DPCP was used to treat the entire scalp, including subclinical lesions, and longer treatment durations and longer intervals between treatments were associated with a better treatment response. Atopy (atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma), thyroid disorder, and extent of hair loss were all negatively correlated with the treatment response. However, there was no correlation between the treatment response and factors such as the age of onset, a family history of AA, nail changes, or AA duration, which are commonly known to be associated with a poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: DPCP immunotherapy is an effective treatment for AA, and the study demonstrated the factors affecting DPCP treatment response and patients' satisfaction and may contribute to standardizing the DPCP treatment method for better outcomes.

Korean Consensus Criteria for the Severity Classification of Alopecia Areata.

BACKGROUND: A set of criteria for severity classification is essential in alopecia areata (AA). Currently, no guidelines are universally accepted for defining AA severity. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish a set of consensus criteria for classifying the severity of and identifying treatment refractoriness in AA. METHODS: A preliminary draft of the definition for moderate-to-severe AA was crafted based on available evidence, and members of the Korean Hair Research Society (KHRS) subsequently endorsed the recommendation through an online survey. RESULTS: In the first Delphi round, consensus was attained on 15 questions. After refining certain items in the second round, consensus was achieved on 23 out of 26 questions. The KHRS first defined AA severity using the severity of alopecia tool (SALT). SALT ≥50 was defined as severe, 20≤ SALT <50 as moderate, and SALT <20 as mild. Moderate AA was considered severe if it meets one or more of the following criteria: dermatology life quality index >10, presence of accompanying eyebrow or eyelash loss, positive hair loss activity, or treatment-refractory AA. CONCLUSION: These consensus criteria can help clinicians accurately diagnose AA, provide appropriate treatment, and monitor its progression.

Genomic progression for local invasion of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma from the superficial to the deep portion.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer. While many treatments exist, our understanding of its genomic progression, especially from the epidermis to the deep dermis, remains limited. This study aims to identify genetic mutations associated with the progression of cSCC into the deep dermis, providing insights into its aggressive behavior and high-risk features. We performed high-depth whole-exome sequencing on 12 cSCC tissues, along with paired normal tissues from six patients, using microdissection techniques. The mutational analysis focused on identifying alterations enriched during cSCC progression. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, immunohistochemical assays, and external single-cell RNA data were utilized for validation. A total of 8863 non-synonymous somatic mutations were identified in 4092 genes across the superficial and deep portions of cSCCs. Analysis of deep portion mutations revealed a significant correlation with gene ontology biological processes, particularly cell junction organization, and cell-cell adhesion. Clonal mutations in these processes were more prevalent in the deep portions, indicating their impact on the cSCC mutation landscape. Genetic evolution analysis identified 29 causal genes associated with dermal invasion in cSCC. We highlight somatic mutations in cSCC, revealing heterogeneity between superficial and deep regions. Altered genes in cell junction organization and cell-cell adhesion emerged as pivotal in dermal invasion. We identified 29 causal genes primarily in deep tumor regions. Our findings emphasize analyzing multiple tumor regions to capture varied mutational landscapes. These insights advance our understanding of cSCC progression, emphasizing genetic and cellular changes during tumor evolution.

The Quality of Life and Psychosocial Impact on Female Pattern Hair Loss.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia, a benign dermatologic condition affecting both genders, particularly harms female patients due to psychosocial effects. Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), the primary cause of hair loss in women, lacks sufficient Korean epidemiological studies examining its psychosocial aspects. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore FPHL's psychosocial impacts, including quality of life (QoL), depression, anxiety, medical consumption, and hair loss factors in Korean women. METHODS: A total of 202 patients with FPHL were interviewed using a validated questionnaire to assess the QoL, psychological impact, and pattern of medical consumption. The severity of hair loss was evaluated using the "basic and specific (BASP) classification" by dermatologists. The Hair-Specific Skindex-29 (HSS29) was used to assess the QoL and Beck depression inventory (BDI), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) to evaluate psychological aspects, and medical expenses and the number of clinic visits to determine medical consumption. RESULTS: The global HSS29 score of FPHL was 40.97±18.92, indicating a notable impact on QoL. The mean BDI and BAI scores were 14.47 and 10.06, respectively. In multivariable regression analysis, HSS29, BDI, and BAI scores were most affected by the severity of hair loss (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: FPHL damages the psychosocial aspects of patients, such as QoL, depression, and medical consumption, according to the severity of hair loss.