Setting research priorities for management and treatment of hyperhidrosis: the results of the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership.

BACKGROUND: Hyperhidrosis is a common skin condition characterized by excessive sweating, which can negatively impact on quality of life. It is under-researched compared with other conditions of similar prevalence. AIM: To generate a Top 10 list of research priorities for the treatment and management of hyperhidrosis, with equal input from people with hyperhidrosis and healthcare professionals (HCPs). METHODS: A priority setting partnership (PSP) was established and processes from the James Lind Alliance Handbook were followed. An online survey asked participants what questions they would like research to answer. These questions were grouped into 'indicative questions', which were ranked in a second survey of 45 indicative questions. The top 23 questions were then taken to a final workshop event attended by key stakeholders, and ranked to generate the Top 10 list of research priorities. RESULTS: There were 592 questions submitted by 268 respondents for the first survey. For the second survey, 286 participants ranked the indicative questions in order of priority. At the final workshop, the Top 10 list was generated. The top three priorities were: (i) Are there any safe and effective permanent solutions for hyperhidrosis? (ii) What is the most effective and safe oral treatment (drugs taken by mouth) for hyperhidrosis? and (iii) What are the most effective and safe ways to reduce sweating in particular areas of the body? CONCLUSIONS: There are many unanswered research questions that both people with hyperhidrosis and HCPs would like to see answered. The results from this PSP will help to ensure future research funding can be directed to these areas of priority.

Genome-wide association study in frontal fibrosing alopecia identifies four susceptibility loci including HLA-B*07:02.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a recently described inflammatory and scarring type of hair loss affecting almost exclusively women. Despite a dramatic recent increase in incidence the aetiopathogenesis of FFA remains unknown. We undertake genome-wide association studies in females from a UK cohort, comprising 844 cases and 3,760 controls, a Spanish cohort of 172 cases and 385 controls, and perform statistical meta-analysis. We observe genome-wide significant association with FFA at four genomic loci: 2p22.2, 6p21.1, 8q24.22 and 15q2.1. Within the 6p21.1 locus, fine-mapping indicates that the association is driven by the HLA-B*07:02 allele. At 2p22.1, we implicate a putative causal missense variant in CYP1B1, encoding the homonymous xenobiotic- and hormone-processing enzyme. Transcriptomic analysis of affected scalp tissue highlights overrepresentation of transcripts encoding components of innate and adaptive immune response pathways. These findings provide insight into disease pathogenesis and characterise FFA as a genetically predisposed immuno-inflammatory disorder driven by HLA-B*07:02.

Update on contact dermatitis 2007: Medical pearls from the annual meeting of the British Contact Dermatitis Society at the annual meeting of the British Association of Dermatologists.

Contact dermatitis is an integral part of dermatology. Many patients affected by contact dermatitis suffer significant morbidity and require prompt diagnosis and treatment. Here we give an overview of contact dermatitis related presentations made during the British Contact Dermatitis Society at 87th annual meeting of the British Association of Dermatologists, which took place on 10-13 July 2007 in Birmingham, UK.

Alitretinoin for the treatment of severe chronic hand eczema.

Chronic hand eczema is a common and often debilitating condition. Alitretinoin, a 9-cis-retinoic acid and pan-retinoic acid agonist, is a new and effective systemic treatment for chronic hand eczema, which provides another treatment option. A "clear" or "almost clear" response can be achieved in up to half of patients within a 24-week course of treatment. Even higher rates of remission can be obtained with a longer duration of treatment. Alitretinoin has a favorable overall profile of adverse effects; however, female patients who are at risk of becoming pregnant should follow a strict pregnancy-prevention program due to the teratogenic effects of this drug.

Current dilemmas and controversies in allergic contact dermatitis to ophthalmic medications.

Identifying contact allergens in ophthalmic medications can be a challenging and daunting experience. We summarize data on topical ophthalmic medications with the potential to cause periorbital contact dermatitis and allergic conjunctivitis, highlighting current dilemmas and controversies in this area. The following groups of allergens are reviewed: preservatives, antiglaucoma medications (prostaglandin analogues, ß-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, parasympathomimetics, sympathomimetics), antiinflammatory medications (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, corticosteroids), antibiotics, antivirals, antiallergic medications (antihistamines, cromones), anaesthetics, mydriatics, and cycloplegics.

Recent advances in bacillus Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy in bladder cancer.

The concept of using Mycobacterium for cancer treatment goes back to the 19th Century. Today, bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is a well-established treatment for human bladder cancer that is arguably superior to intravesical chemotherapy for superficial disease and is commonly used as the first-line adjuvant treatment. Much has been learnt about the effects of BCG on bladder cancer and the immune system, but deeper understanding is required in order to improve its efficacy further, to be able to reliably predict responders and ultimately to adapt this most successful form of cancer immunotherapy for the treatment of other malignancies. This article summarizes the current understanding of BCG cancer immunotherapy mechanisms and discusses possible future developments.