Recent progress in understanding the role of genes in the pathogenesis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma(cSCC)is the second most common skin tumor in humans.Ultraviolet(UV)radiation is an important environmental risk factor for cSCC;other risk factors include human papilloma virus(HPV)infection,chronic inflammation,and chronic wounds.A large proportion of patients present with an aggressive form of cSCC at the time of diagnosis,which is often accompanied by regional lymph node involvement and distant metastases.The long-term prognosis for these highly metastatic diseases is extremely poor,with a 10-year survival rate of less than 10%.Therefore,clarifying the pathogenesis of this tumor is of great significance and may contribute to the identification of novel biomarkers and development of new therapeutic strategies.In this review,we focus on the recent progress in genes related to the development of this tumor,intending to aid future investigations into the genetic alterations related to cSCC.

Efficacy of 308-nm Monochromatic Excimer Lamp and Topical Tacrolimus Combination Therapy in Localized Vitiligo:A Study in Vietnam

Objective:Combination therapy of a 308-nm monochromatic excimer lamp and topical tacrolimus is widely used in the treatment of localized vitiligo;however,there are no published studies investigating this combination therapy in Vietnamese patients with vitiligo.This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of combined excimer lamp and topical tacrolimus therapy for patients with localized vitiligo in Vietnam.Methods:We performed a pre-post clinical trial of 30 patients diagnosed with localized vitiligo in Vietnam.The patients were treated with an excimer lamp twice weekly and with topical tacrolimus twice daily.Effectiveness was evaluated based on the reduction rate of the vitiligo area scoring index (VASI).Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,Fisher’s exact test,Kruskal-WallisH test,and Spearman correlation coefficient test.Results:After 12 weeks of treatment,response was excellent or good in 16 patients (53.3%),moderate in 8 patients (26.7%),and poor in 6 patients (20.0%).The excellent or good responses increased over time from 3 patients (10.0%) at 6 weeks to 16 patients (53.3%) at 12 weeks (P = 0.001).Earlier initiation of repigmentation was associated with a better response to treatment (r = -0.71;P = 0.020).Patients with a perifollicular repigmentation pattern responded better to treatment than those with combined or marginal repigmentation patterns (P = 0.003).Side effects occurred in 13 patients (43.3%),including burning (43.3%),pruritus (10.0%),and mild blistering (6.7%),and none of these interrupted the treatment.Conclusion:Combination therapy with excimer lamp and topical tacrolimus appears to be effective and safe in treating patients with localized vitiligo in Vietnam.

Genotype comparisons of strains of Candida albicans from patients with cutaneous candidiasis and vaginal candidiasis

Background It is uncertain whether genotypes of Candida albicans （C. albicans） are associated with colonizing body locations or variant conditions of infection. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are significant associations between strain genotypes and body sites of infection and to determine the potential pathogenesis of cutaneous candidiasis at multiple locations. Methods A total of 151 strains of C. albicans were isolated from 74 infant patients with cutaneous candidiasis and 61 female patients with vaginal candidiasis. Patients were grouped according to the body sites and underlying conditions of infection. Genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） of the 25S rDNA and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） of ALT repeats digested with EcoRI and Clal. Results Ten genotypes were detected. There were significant differences in genotype frequencies between the two groups. However, we found no clear association between genotypes and the sites of cutaneous infection or the underlying conditions of vaginal candidiasis （VVC）. In addition, strains of C. albicans from multiple cutaneous locations of the same patient had identical genotypes. Conclusions Populations of C. albicans from patients with cutaneous and vaginal candidiasis were genetically different. However, the lack of genetic difference between strains from different body sites with cutaneous infections or from different underlying conditions for VVC suggests no evidence of genotype selection for different skin surfaces or patients with different underlying conditions for VVC.

XU Yi-hou’s Experience in Herbal Administration for the Differential Treatment of Skin Diseases

Prof. XU Yi-hou, director of the Department of Dermatology of Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a famous expert in dermatology of combined Chinese and western medicine, and awarded special governmental subsidy granted by the State Council. He has engaged in medical practice for more than 40 years, devoting himself in the

Consensus on Treatment of Acne Scars in China(2021)

Acne scars are caused by inflammatory reactions,infections,and improper handling of acne lesions.Such scars have a high incidence and are difficult to treat.There are many methods currently used to treat acne scars,including medications,photoelectric technology,surgery,filling,chemical peeling,traditional Chinese medicine,biotherapy,and microneedle therapy,and many new methods are constantly emerging.However,there are still many issues,such as the lack of high-quality clinical studies,non-uniform treatment methods,and unsatisfactory therapeutic effects.The selection of appropriate methods for the comprehensive treatment of different types of acne scars at different stages in clinical practice remains challenging and is a research topic of great interest.From the perspective of evidence-based medicine,this consensus aims to provide a reference for the treatment of acne scars in clinical practice.

Infliximab monotherapy for Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis： a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial

Background Tumor necrosis factor-α is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to tumor necrosis factor-α. The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy and safety of 5 mg/kg infliximab therapy in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Methods In this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 129 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were randomized to the induction therapy （weeks 0, 2 and 6） with infliximab 5 mg/kg （n=84） or placebo （n=45）, followed with infliximab 5 mg/kg scheduled at week 14 and week 22 in the infliximab group, and infliximab 5 mg/kg scheduled at weeks 10, 12 and 16 in the placebo group. The primary end point was the proportion of patients who achieved at least 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index （PASI 75 response rate） from baseline at week 10. Results At week 10, 81.0% of patients treated with infliximab （5 mg/kg） achieved a 75% or greater improvement compared with 2.2% of patients treated with placebo （P 〈0.001）. A significant improvement in PASI, Physician＇s Global Assessment （PGA） and Dermatology Life Quality Index （DLQI）, was seen from week 6 through week 14 in the infliximab group compared with the placebo group. Through week 22, PASI, PGA, DLQI were well maintained. The incidence of adverse events for the infliximab treatment group was slightly higher in comparison to the placebo treatment group during the first 10 weeks without statistical significance. However, there were 3 cases of tuberculosis that developed during the 26 weeks treatment with infliximal. Conclusions Infliximab treatment was effective as induction and maintenance treatments for Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Most drug-induced adverse events were mild to moderate, and well tolerated. Screening for tuberculosis is essential and prophylactic treatment should be given if necessary.

Multiple basal cell carcinoma combined with giant epidermal cyst and vascular malformation:a case report

Introduction Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer.It is preferably located in areas exposed to solar radiation,such as head and neck.It might occur due to long-term ultraviolet radiation,X-ray exposure,ingestion of food or water containing arsenic,immunosuppression,and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection.According to the report of Kiiski et al.,patients,who are relatively younger at the first BCC diagnosis,and/or those with a BCC lesion on their upper extremities have a higher risk of developing multiple lesions[1].Multiple BCC combined with different body systems,such as pitted depressions on the hands and feet,odontogenic cysts of the jaws,skeletal abnormalities,intracranial calcification,constituted to the diagnosis of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS).Herein,we presented a case with multiple BCC with giant epidermal cyst and hemangioma.