Genomic profiling of Mycosis Fungoides identifies patients at high risk of disease progression.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most prevalent primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, with an indolent or aggressive course and poor survival. The pathogenesis of MF remains unclear, and prognostic factors in the early stages are not well-established. Here, we characterized the most recurrent genomic alterations using whole-exome sequencing of 67 samples from 48 patients from Lille University Hospital (France), including 18 sequential samples drawn across stages of the malignancy. Genomic data were analyzed on the Broad Institute's Terra bioinformatics platform. We found that gain7q, gain10p15.1 (IL2RA and IL15RA), del10p11.22 (ZEB1), or mutations in JUNB and TET2 are associated with high-risk disease stages. Furthermore, gain7q, gain10p15.1 (IL2RA and IL15RA), del10p11.22 (ZEB1), and del6q16.3 (TNFAIP3) are coupled with shorter survival. Del6q16.3 (TNFAIP3) was a risk factor for progression in low-risk patients. By analyzing the clonal heterogeneity and the clonal evolution of the cohort, we defined different phylogenetic pathways of the disease with acquisition of JUNB, gain10p15.1 (IL2RA and IL15RA), or del12p13.1 (CDKN1B) at progression. These results establish the genomics and clonality of MF and identify potential patients at risk of progression, independent of their clinical stage.

Clinical Features, Histological Characteristics, and Disease Outcomes of Mycosis Fungoides in Children and Adolescents: A Nationwide Multicentre Cohort of 46 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to describe the clinical, histological characteristics, and disease outcome of a cohort of mycosis fungoides (MF) diagnosed during childhood including disease status at adulthood. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicentre survey of patients aged under 18 years at diagnosis with histologically confirmed MF. Patients' clinical and histological characteristics, treatments, and disease outcome (for patients followed for more than 12 months) were analysed. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were included (median age at diagnosis: 11 years; M:F sex ratio: 3:1) with 39 (85%) followed for at least 12 months. Thirty-nine patients (85%) had stage I MF. Hypopigmented patches were observed in 48% and folliculotropism in 43% patients. Immunophenotype of the skin infiltrate was predominantly CD8+ in 17% of patients. Initial management included a wait-and-see strategy in 6/39 (15%), skin-directed treatment in 27 (69%), and systemic treatment in 6 (15%) patients, respectively, with partial or complete clinical response (PR or CR) observed in 28 patients (72%). 14/39 patients (36%) relapsed after initial response. After a median follow-up period of 54 months, disease status at last news was PR or CR in 31/39 (79%), stable disease in 6 (15%), and progression in 2 (5%) patients. Histological transformation was observed in 3/39 (8%). Of the 15 patients followed until adulthood, 13 (87%) had persistent MF. DISCUSSION: This survey confirms the high frequency of hypopigmented and folliculotropic lesions and of CD8+ immunophenotype compared to adult MF patients. The long-term course is usually indolent but transformation may occur sometimes long after disease onset and the disease may persist during adulthood.

Standalone, CMOS-based Faraday rotation in a silicon photonic waveguide.

Nonreciprocity is a fundamental requirement of signal isolation in optical communication systems. However, on chip isolator designs require either post-processing steps or external magnetic biasing, which are impractical for commercial applications. This raises the need for standalone devices which support nonreciprocal functionality using standardized fabrication techniques. Here, we report the first design of an electromagnetic coil surrounding a waveguide which exclusively employed the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process flow. The coil supported an electric current up to 14 mA. In simulations, it generated an alternating magnetic flux density up to 1.16 mT inside a strip waveguide and thereby induced a rotation of 50.71 picodegrees for the fundamental transverse-magnetic mode at a wavelength of 1352 nm. Our analysis further revealed methods to increase the rotation by orders of magnitude. It demonstrated the scope of manufacturing processes and serves as a building block for the development of a commercially viable, on-chip optical isolator.

IgG1 Subclass Restriction and Biochemical Peculiarities of Monoclonal Immunoglobulins in Scleromyxedema.

BACKGROUND: Scleromyxedema (SME) is a rare mucinosis associated with monoclonal gammopathy. Several biochemical peculiarities of monoclonal immunoglobulins (Ig) in SME patients were reported in case reports or short series, such as IgGλ over-representation, cationic migration, and partial deletion. METHODS: Monoclonal immunoglobulins (Ig) from the serum of 12 consecutive patients diagnosed with scleromyxedema (SME) were analyzed using electrophoretic and immunoblotting techniques. RESULTS: All monoclonal Ig from 12 SME were of IgG1 subclass, with an overrepresentation of the lambda-type light chain and a cationic mobility on standard zone electrophoresis, as compared with 21 cases of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) of IgG1 subclass. Reactivity with specific monoclonal antibodies demonstrated no evident deletion of the heavy chain constant domains, which was also confirmed by analysis of Ig heavy chain molecular weight on a purified monoclonal component from one case. CONCLUSIONS: Significant isotype restriction of both heavy and light chains, and peculiar biochemical properties suggest that monoclonal Ig might be involved in pathophysiological events of SME.

23-dB average isolation using a silicon photonic Mach-Zehnder modulator.

We demonstrate an optical time-gate isolator entirely fabricated on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform based on a conventional traveling-wave Mach-Zehnder modulator (TW-MZM) design. The device achieves 18.2 dB (22.7 dB) time-averaged isolation when driven with 2.0-Vpp (7.1-Vpp) differential clock signals at 6.8 GHz and biased at null. Under these conditions, the isolator blocks backward light at all time regardless of driver amplitude, but produces periodic modulation in the forward direction. Moreover, we embed our isolator in a digital communication link and measure a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) penalty of only 0.5 dB due to the isolator at 13.6 Gbaud PAM-4 data rate. Our device can be integrated in larger circuits to protect laser sources or mitigate interference.

Cutaneous Involvement in Waldenström's Macroglobulinaemia.

Cutaneous involvement in Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia (WM) has been poorly characterized. To describe this involvement, a retrospective study of 19 patients with WM and cutaneous involvement of tumour B cells was performed. Twelve patients (group 1) had lymphoplasmacytic, non-transformed cutaneous proliferation, while in 7 cases (group 2) cutaneous involvement corresponded to histological transformation. In group 1, skin involvement was inaugural in 6 cases. The lesions were infiltrated plaques (83%), papules (25%) and tumours (42%). Four patients had a similar clinical picture (purplish, bilateral and symmetrical infiltration on the face). MYD88 L265P mutation was detected in the skin biopsy in all 6 cases tested. The 3-year specific survival rate was 88%. In group 2, cutaneous transformation occurred during the follow-up of the WM (71%). Lesions presented as ulcerated tumours (86%) of the trunk (57%) and lower limbs (57%). The 3-year specific survival rate was 22%. Skin involvement in WM has distinctive characteristics (e.g. clinical, histological, immunohistochemical, MYD88 L265P mutation).

Plasma cell-directed therapies in monoclonal gammopathy-associated scleromyxedema.

Scleromyxedema is a rare skin and systemic mucinosis that is usually associated with monoclonal gammopathy (MG). In this French multicenter retrospective study of 33 patients, we investigated the clinical and therapeutic features of MG-associated scleromyxedema. Skin molecular signatures were analyzed using a transcriptomic approach. Skin symptoms included papular eruptions (100%), sclerodermoid features (91%), and leonine facies (39%). MG involved an immunoglobulin G isotype in all patients, with a predominant λ light chain (73%). Associated hematologic malignancies were diagnosed in 4 of 33 patients (12%) (smoldering myeloma, n = 2; chronic lymphoid leukemia, n = 1; and refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia, n = 1). Carpal tunnel syndrome (33%), arthralgia (25%), and dermato-neuro syndrome (DNS) (18%) were the most common systemic complications. One patient with mucinous cardiopathy died of acute heart failure. High-dose IV immunoglobulin (HDIVig), alone or in combination with steroids, appeared to be quite effective in nonsevere cases (clinical complete response achieved in 13/31 patients). Plasma cell-directed therapies using lenalidomide and/or bortezomib with dexamethasone and HDIVig led to a significant improvement in severe cases (HDIVig refractory or cases with central nervous system or cardiac involvement). The emergency treatment of DNS with combined plasmapheresis, HDIVig, and high-dose corticosteroids induced the complete remission of neurological symptoms in 4 of 5 patients. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of 6 scleromyxedema skin samples showed significantly higher profibrotic pathway levels (transforming growth factor ß and collagen-1) than in healthy skin. Prospective studies targeting plasma cell clones and/or fibrotic pathways are warranted for long-term scleromyxedema management.

Nicorandil and cutaneous ulcerations, their misdiagnosis and consequences: Illustration by five cases reports and a review of the French pharmacovigilance database.

While physicians increasingly recognize nicorandil-related mucocutaneous ulcerations, there are still misdiagnoses, particularly in the case of unusual location and late onset ulceration after nicorandil introduction. The goal of our study was to remind clinicians about the link between nicorandil use and the development of cutaneous ulcerations and to highlight the risk of misdiagnosis. We describe five reports diagnosed by the same dermatologist, complemented by an analysis of the French pharmacovigilance database (FPVD) from 1 January 1994 to 5 January 2017. During this period, 28 reports of strict cutaneous ulcerations due to nicorandil, in addition to our five reports, were registered in the FPVD. For those 28 reports, the time to onset between nicorandil introduction and cutaneous ulcerations was quite long and exceeded one year in 16 reports (information specified in 25 reports). The delay between ulcerations observation and nicorandil discontinuation was variable, with immediate diagnosis in seven reports, but ranged from fifteen days to twelve years in 21 reports. The main locations were lower limbs, thorax and face. Ulcerations could be localized on surgery or trauma scars. Regression after nicorandil discontinuation was observed in all but two reports and ranged from three days to three months. Characteristics were comparable in our five patient's series. All patients exposed to nicorandil and healthcare practitioners prescribing nicorandil should be aware of the risk of cutaneous ulcerations to enable early diagnosis and drug withdrawal. The risk of misdiagnosis of this serious adverse drug reaction, along with the risk of sequelae, the costs of unnecessary additional investigations and the recent update on nicorandil as second-line treatment for stable angina, with existing alternative drugs, question about the benefit/risk balance of nicorandil.

Treatment of a vulvar Paget's disease by photodynamic therapy with a new light emitting fabric based device.

INTRODUCTION: The non-invasive vulvar Paget's disease is an intra-epidermal carcinoma with glandular characteristics. It appears like an erythematous plaque. The main symptoms are pruritus and pain. The standard treatment is surgical excision in depth. This treatment is complicated with a severe morbidity and photodynamic therapy can be an alternative choice. However, the pain experienced during the photodynamic treatment of vulvar lesion is intense and leads to a premature interruption of the treatment. The light emitting fabric is a part of a device under clinical evaluation for the treatment of actinic keratosis with photodynamic therapy. We report the observation of a vulvar Paget's disease treated by this device with a satisfactory result and an excellent tolerance. CLINICAL OBSERVATION: The patient has been diagnosed with non-invasive vulvar Paget's disease for 25 years. The disease recurred constantly despite several imiquimod applications, LASER treatments and conventional photodynamic therapy. These procedures were complicated with intense pain. To improve the tolerance, we performed three PDT sessions a month apart using a 16% methyl-aminolevulinate cream (Metvixia® Galderma, Lausanne, Switzerland) with the light emitting fabric at low irradiance (irradiance = 6 mW/cm2 -fluence = 37 J/cm2 ) with a satisfactory result and an excellent tolerance. DISCUSSION: There are no controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of vulvar Paget's disease. The treatment and follow-up protocols in the literature are heterogeneous. Pain is the most common side effect with greater intensity for perineal locations where photodynamic therapy is impractical outside of anesthesia or hypnosis. CONCLUSION: We report the case of a multirecidivant non-invasive vulvar Paget's disease treated with a satisfactory result and an excellent tolerance by the new light emitting fabric device. A specific study is required but the light emitting fabric could be indicated for the treatment of Paget disease of perineal location. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:177-180, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Modern Treatments in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Temporal Trends and Effect on Survival. A French Population-Based Study.

UNLABELLED: Extrapolation of clinical trials results to the general population is always challenging. We analysed 1047 patients diagnosed with an advanced stage disease between 1998 and 2005 in a french administrative department and found a good spread of modern chemotherapy since 1998 and targeted therapy since 2002. Moreover, the outcomes in patients treated according to guidelines are very proximal from those obtained in clinical trials. BACKGROUND: Management of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer has considerably evolved during the past 2 decades. In this study we aimed to assess how treatments have spread at a population-based level and their effect on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients diagnosed from 1998 to 2005 in the French department of Bas-Rhin were checked to collect data on patient characteristics and treatments received. Multivariate analysis of survival was performed using pretherapeutic and therapeutic factors including targeted therapies received as third-line treatment. RESULTS: We included 1047 patients with stage IIIB to IV non-small-cell lung cancer. The proportion of patients who underwent chemotherapy increased from 373/471 (79.2%) to 491/576 (85.2%) over the 1998 to 2001 and 2002 to 2005 periods, and there was an increased use of third-generation drugs associated with platin. Third-line treatment was gefitinib or erlotinib in 73/155 (47.1%) of the cases among patients diagnosed from 2002 to 2005. Compared with older agents, targeted therapy administered as third-line treatment was associated with a longer survival but there was no significant difference in survival with recent chemotherapy agents in multivariate analyses (hazard ratio, 0.773; 95% confidence interval, 0.445-1.343). CONCLUSION: Results of our study showed a good spread of modern chemotherapy and targeted therapy use at a population-based level. However, even if the general outcomes were improved along the years, the results observed in real clinical practice were slightly different from those reported in clinical trials.

Postvaccinal, corticosteroid-resistant bullous pemphigoid in infancy: treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disorder that typically affects elderly adults but can also occur in childhood. We report on a 3-month-old boy who developed bullous pemphigoid 1 week after the second routine administration of a hexavalent vaccine. The disease was resistant to standard therapies (including oral and topical corticosteroids) but was relieved by intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. There was no recurrence of bullous pemphigoid after the next vaccination (3 mos after discontinuation of steroids).

Formalism of thermal waves applied to the characterization of materials thermal effusivity.

Thermal characterization of materials, especially civil engineering materials, in the way of non-destructive methods, are more and more widespread. In this article, we show an original point of view to describe the used method, the thermal waves, to obtain the thermal impedance of the studied system, using a specific sensor--a fluxmeter. The identification technique, based on a frequential approach, is optimized by applying a random input to the system. This kind of random heating is shown to provide a frequency range where the thermal effusivity is able to be identified and not correlated to another parameter. The strength of the method is also the determination of the contact resistance of the system, that allows to validate the identification process. Experimental results obtained from a sample with well-known thermal properties (polyvinyl chloride) are used to validate the proposed method.

Radiation doses to cohabitants of patients undergoing radioiodine ablation for thyroid cancer: poor compliance with radiation protection guidelines but low radiation exposure.

BACKGROUND: The drive to reduce hospital stay after radioiodine remnant ablation in patients with thyroid cancer may increase the risk of radiation exposure to family members. The aim of this study was to evaluate the key determinants of dose exposure to familial members, with particular reference to the degree of adherence to current radiation safety guidelines. METHODS: All participants prospectively received our standard departmental oral and written safety instructions, with a mandatory 3-day restriction period. The postmicturition radiation levels of treated patients were measured (at 1-m distance) at the time of discharge using a portable radiometer. The radiation exposure of cohabitants was assessed with an optically stimulated luminescence-based personal dosimeter during the 3 days after hospital discharge. A questionnaire was used to assess the adherence of relatives/cohabitants to radiation safety guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 38 patients with thyroid cancer and 48 household members were included. At 48 h post therapy, the patient's median emission at 1-m distance was 13.4 µSv/h. The mean cumulative cohabitant exposure was 102 µSv (<50-1000). A positive correlation between cohabitant radiation exposure and the radiation level of the patient was observed (P=0.016). This correlation was absent when the recommended guidelines were followed (P=0.56). Only 17 household members (35.4%) strictly followed the recommended guidelines, but dose exposures exceeded 0.3 mSv in only four cases, in which a mean of between 5.8 and 9.5 h were spent in close proximity to the patient in the first 3 days, including sleeping with treated patients in half of the cases. CONCLUSION: Despite poor compliance with safety guidelines, a short-stay protocol respects current legislation, and is applicable to most patients treated with 3.7 GBq for radioiodine remnant ablation.

Childhood pustular psoriasis associated with Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus.

We report the association of a generalized pustular psoriasis and infection by Staphylococcus aureus which produced Panton-Valentine leukocidin in a 5-year-old child. Another S. aureus strain with the same toxin gene content was also isolated among three family members presenting with cutaneous lesions. Although a methicillin-resistant staphylococcal strain has been reported in association with pustular psoriasis, this is the first report of a Panton-Valentine leukocidin strain associated with generalized pustular psoriasis. The causal relationship between S. aureus produced Panton-Valentine leukocidin and skin lesions is discussed.