Reflectance confocal microscopy features of thin versus thick melanomas.

BACKGROUND: In-vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) plays an increasingly important role in differential diagnosis of melanoma. The aim of the study was to assess typical confocal features of thin (≤1 mm according to Breslow index) versus thick (>1mm) melanomas. METHODS: Thirty patients with histopathologically confirmed cutaneous melanoma were included in the study. RCM was performed with Vivascope equipment prior to excision. Fifteen melanomas were thin (Breslow thickness ≤1 mm) and 15 were thick (Breslow thickness >1 mm). RESULTS: In the RCM examination, the following features were more frequently observed in thin compared to thick melanomas: edged papillae (26.7% vs. 0%, P=0.032) and areas with honeycomb or cobblestone pattern (33.3% vs. 6.7%, P=0.068). Both features are present in benign melanocytic lesions, so in melanoma are good prognostic factors. The group of thick melanomas compared to the group of thin melanomas in the RCM images presented with greater frequency of roundish cells (100% vs. 40%, P=0.001), non-edged papillae (100% vs. 60%, P=0.006), numerous pagetoid cells (73.3% vs. 33.3%, P=0.028), numerous atypical cells at dermal-epidermal junction (53.3% vs. 20%, P=0.058) and epidermal disarray (93.3% vs. 66.7%, P=0.068). CONCLUSIONS: Non-invasive imaging methods helps in deepening of knowledge about the evolution and biology of melanoma. The most characteristic features for thin melanomas in confocal examination are: fragments of cobblestone or honeycomb pattern and edged papillae (as good prognostic factors). The features of thick melanomas in RCM examination are: roundish cells, non-edged papillae, numerous pagetoid cells at dermal-epidermal junction and epidermal disarray.

Genetic polymorphisms may influence the vertical growth rate of melanoma.

Background: Identification of new predictive markers in melanoma is of great clinical importance. This study was aimed to analyze association between selected common variants in the cancer susceptibility genes and melanoma progression at the time of diagnosis. Material and Method: The study included 243 consecutive patients with melanoma. Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR. Results: Our data revealed modest association between xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) codon 312 polymorphism and tumor thickness (as defined by Breslow score; XPD D312N CC: 3.00 ± 3.78mm, CT: 1.71 ± 2.48mm, TT: 2,53 ± 3,24mm, P=0.023). The CT genotype in XPD D312N polymorphism was more frequently represented in non-invasive melanomas compared to deeply penetrating tumors. None of the common SNPs in cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A), vitamin D receptor (VDR), melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) were associated with Breslow depth. Conclusion: These findings suggest that genetic alteration in XPD contributes to melanoma progression and may be a potential diagnostic and molecular prognostic marker.

Modern non-invasive diagnostic techniques in the detection of early cutaneous melanoma.

Over the past few years melanoma has grown into a disease of socio-economic importance due to the increasing incidence and persistently high mortality rates. Melanoma is a malignant tumor with a high tendency to metastasize. Therefore, an extremely important part of the therapeutic process is to identify the disease at an early stage: in situ or stage I. Many tools for early diagnosis of melanoma are available today, including dermoscopy, videodermoscopy and in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy. Other methods such as high frequency ultrasound, optical coherence tomography and electrical impedance spectroscopy may serve as additional diagnostic aids. Modern imaging techniques also allow the monitoring of melanocytic skin lesions over months or years to detect the moment of malignant transformation. This review summarizes the current knowledge about modern diagnostic techniques, which may aid early diagnosis of melanoma.

[Rituximab in systemic lupus erythematosus. Part I. Theoretical basis]. / Rytuksymab w leczeniu tocznia rumieniowatego ukladowego. Czesc I. Podstawy teoretyczne.

Rituximab is a chimeric human-mouse monoclonal antibody, which binds to the CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes and causes depletion of CD20+ cells in the mechanism of complement-dependent and independent cytolysis, cell cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent mechanism and apoptosis. Rituximab is currently registered for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis. Rituximab also demonstrated efficacy in a number of other autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus rituximab decreases the number of autoreactive VH4.34 B cells, what contributes to sustaining B cell homeostasis and immune tolerance. A decrease in levels of circulating anti-dsDNA antibodies and an increase of C3 concentration is observed parallel to clinical improvement. Diagnostic procedures performed before initiation of rituximab therapy and during treatment include basic laboratory tests as well as exclusion of heart insufficiency and infections.

[Rituximab in systemic lupus erythematosus. Part II: review of clinical experience]. / Rytuksymab w leczeniu tocznia rumieniowatego ukladowego. Czesc II. Doswiadczenia kliniczne.

Rituximab is a chimeric human-mouse monoclonal antibody, which binds to the CD20 antigen on B lymphocytes and causes depletion of CD20+ cells. Rituximab is currently registered for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis. Rituximab also demonstrated efficacy in a number of other autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus. Data available from over published 200 cases may indicate that 50-75% of patients with lupus achieve at least partial remission after rituximab therapy. This effect was not confirmed in a randomized, double-blind phase II/III clinical trial. However methodological inaccuracies which might have led to incorrect conclusions in this trial were pointed out. Further studies are needed to evaluate efficacy of rituximab in different clinical and immunological subtypes of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Alopecia areata developing paralell to improvement of psoriasis during ustekinumab therapy.

BACKGROUND: Ustekinumab is a new immunosuppressive anti-psoriasis agent. The drug targets the p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23 and indirectly inhibits cytokine production by Th17 cells. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: We present a case of a 36-year-old male patient with psoriasis, who received ustekinumab therapy, applied in 45mg subcutaneous injections at week 0, 4 and than every 12 weeks. After 7 months of therapy PASI decreased from 10,1 to 0,9. At this phase of therapy he developed two patches of alopecia areata on the scalp. The diagnosis was made based on clinical appearance and was confirmed by trichoscopy (hair and scalp dermoscopy) and reflectance confocal microscopy. The development of alopecia areata was preceded by emotional stress and dental infection. CONCLUSIONS: Ustekinumab seems an unlikely cause of alopecia areata in this patient. However, lack of efficacy is preventing hair loss may indicate that interleukin- 12 cytokine family is not a key player in pathogenesis of alopecia areata.