The use of topical diphenylcyclopropenone for the treatment of extensive alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Highly variable results of topical diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) in the treatment of alopecia areata have been reported so far. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of our study were to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of DPCP in the treatment of chronic, extensive alopecia areata and to assess the long-term overall benefit of treatment. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with chronic, extensive alopecia areata were enrolled in an open-label clinical trial. After sensitization with 2% DPCP, progressively higher concentrations beginning at 0.001% were applied weekly for 6 to 12 months to one side of the scalp. RESULTS: Fifty-two of 56 patients completed therapy. Total regrowth of terminal hair was achieved in 25 of 52 patients (48%) at 6 months. The most frequent side effect was an eczematous reaction at the site of application. Notably, persistent response was observed in 60% of these patients after 6 to 18 months of follow-up (mean, 12 months). CONCLUSION: Topical DPCP treatment for alopecia areata is effective and well tolerated and provides prolonged therapeutic benefits.

46,XX,der(2)t(2;10)(2pter-->2q37::10p13-->10pter)[127]/45,X,der(2)t(2;10) (2pter-->2q37::10p13-->10pter)[23]. Karyotype-phenotype correlation and genetic counselling in complex karyotypes.

We describe a female child with complex cytogenetic anomalies consisting in partial trisomy of the short arm of chromosome 10, terminal deletion of the long arm of chromosome 2 and--at the same time--a mosaicism for X monosomy. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in which 10p trisomy is associated to a 2qter deletion. Due to the scarcity of cases reported with pure trisomy, it has not been possible to define the 10p+ syndrome precisely yet. Comparison of our proband's phenotype to both the 2q37 deletion and 10p trisomy showed more features described in 2q37- subjects than in 10p+ ones. We also discuss the difficulties of genetic counseling in children with complex aberrations.

Trisomy 20 in a papillary urothelial carcinoma of the ureter.

To contribute to the knowledge on tumorigenesis and the evolution of urothelial carcinoma of the ureter, we analyzed the clinical, histological, and cytogenetic aspects of a case. Primary cell cultures obtained from tumor specimens showed a trisomy of chromosome 20 where the c-src proto-oncogene, already described in literature as having an important role in the etiology and progression of some tumors, is located. In our case trisomy 20 is the only present marker and for this reason we think that it could play a role in the tumorigenesis of the urothelial carcinoma of the ureter.

Involvement of the 4q21 region in human malignant melanomas: cytogenetic and immunocytochemical characterization of three primary cell cultures.

The GRO1 oncogene (melanoma growth-stimulating activity alpha) has been localized in region 4q21. The involvement of this chromosomal region in clonal aberrations found in primary melanoma cell cultures could have an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of this tumor. We characterized three primary cell cultures obtained from different patients, each of which showed clonal chromosomal aberrations involving the 4q21 region.