Cutaneous adverse reactions linked to targeted anticancer therapies bortezomib and lenalidomide for multiple myeloma: new drugs, old side effects.

Context: Cutaneous toxicity is a frequent side effect of new anticancer targeted therapies. Skin reactions can severely impact the patient's physical, psychological and social well-being and may sometimes lead to discontinuations either treatment dose reductions.

Objective: This study evaluates the impact of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADR) of the new therapies bortezomib and lenalidomide and presents a review of their skin side effects.

Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis due to erlotinib: just an adverse event or also a putative marker of drug efficacy?

Erlotinib is a targeted anticancer therapy with selective inhibitory activity for tyrosine kinase of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Different skin reactions have been described linked to these drugs. There are no other reports about erlotinib-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LV) in the erlotinib-bevacizumab regimen for bone metastasis, from a relapsed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in liver-transplanted patients.

Frequency of malignant neoplasms in 257 chronic leg ulcers.

Background: Chronic leg ulcers are one of the most common medical conditions and are a substantial source of morbidity.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of skin cancer mimicking leg ulcers.

Patients And Methods: This observational study included all patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic leg ulcers (CLU) admitted to the Wound Care Unit, Division of Dermatology, University of Bologna, between March 2008 and February 2011.

Basal cell carcinoma margin delineation: is curettage useful? A surgical and histological study.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common variety of non-melanoma skin cancer. Treatment modalities include cryotherapy, topical imiquimod 5% cream, photodynamic therapy, electrodessication and curettage, classic surgical excision, Mohs surgery, and radiotherapy. Surgical treatments are regarded as the most effective, but, in some cases, may produce poor cosmetic outcomes.

Repair of the donor areas defects after split-thickness skin grafts utilizing an advanced epithelialization dressing.

Introduction: The management of surgical wounds of the donor areas for split-thickness skin grafts might be difficult in terms of pain, risk of infection, and delayed healing.

Materials And Methods: In the period from September 2011 to June 2012, 12 patients affected by large ulcerated basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the lower legs, 2 patients affected by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 1 patient presenting malignant melanoma located on the scalp, with split-thickness skin grafts were treated. In the 12 BCC patients, the donor site areas were situated on the anterior or lateral site of the contralateral thigh and in 3 other patients on the forearms.

Two synchronous periungual BCC treated with Mohs surgery. Nail polish related?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most frequent malignant skin tumor observed in Caucasian adults, especially males, occurs mainly in sun-exposed areas of the body. BCC in the periungual tissues, such as proximal nail fold, nail matrix, nail bed and hyponychium, is rarely reported. We report a patient with two synchronous BCC of the periungual tissue localized in the IV and V fingernail, effectively treated with Mohs micrographic surgery.

Inverse association between dietary vitamin D and risk of cutaneous melanoma in a northern Italy population.

The possibility of an inverse association between vitamin D and risk of cancer and, in particular, of cutaneous malignant melanoma has been suggested, but results of epidemiologic studies are still conflicting. We examined the relation between dietary vitamin D intake and melanoma risk through a population-based case-control study (380 cases, 719 controls) in a northern region of Italy, a country with an average vitamin D intake lower than that in northern Europe or the United States. We assessed average daily intake of vitamin D from foodstuffs using the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire.

Causal relationship between exposure to chemicals and malignant melanoma? A review and study proposal.

Malignant melanoma (MM) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The MM-related incidence and mortality have been increasing at an alarming rate over at least the past four decades. Malignant melanoma has been thought to be related mainly to exposure to the sun or UV radiation.

Partial excision of matrix and phenolic ablation for the treatment of ingrowing toenail: a 36-month follow-up of 197 treated patients.

Background: Several options for the treatment of ingrowing toenails are available, ranging from simple conservative approaches to extensive surgical procedures.

Objective: To evaluate in a long-term follow-up (36 months) the efficacy of chemical matricectomy with phenol for the treatment of ingrowing toenails.

Methods And Materials: A total of 197 phenol ablations were performed in 139 patients with stage 2 and 3 disease.

Azithromycin: a new therapeutical strategy for acne in adolescents.

Aim: To study the efficacy, safety, and compliance of 500 mg azithromycin thrice weekly for 8 weeks to treat acne vulgaris in adolescents.

Methods: An open-label, non-comparative study was carried out for 8 weeks. Fifty-two teenagers with moderate to severe papulo-pustular acne vulgaris were enrolled.

Tape-stripping method in man: comparison of evaporimetric methods.

Background/purpose: If the occlusion time of a closed chamber evaporimeter on the skin is too long, saturation might occur. We previously compared an open chamber and a closed chamber device on healthy volunteers. Comparable data on stripped skin with higher evaporation rates are not available.

Drug-induced psoriasis: an evidence-based overview and the introduction of psoriatic drug eruption probability score.

Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that needs a long-term management, not only because, of its prevalence but also because of the profound impact it can have on patients quality of life. Drugs may result in exacerbation of a preexisting psoriasis, in induction of psoriatic lesions on clinically uninvolved skin in patients with psoriasis, or in precipitation of the disease in persons without family history of psoriasis or in predisposed individuals. The knowledge of the drugs that may induce, trigger, or exacerbate the disease is of primary importance in clinical practice.