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Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia 2022Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is a rare autoimmune disease, characterized by the synthesis of anti-collagen VII autoantibodies, the main component of hemidesmosome...
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is a rare autoimmune disease, characterized by the synthesis of anti-collagen VII autoantibodies, the main component of hemidesmosome anchoring fibrils. The antigen-antibody binding elicits a complex inflammatory response, which culminates in the loss of dermo-epidermal adhesion of the skin and/or mucous membranes. Skin fragility with bullae, erosions, and milia in areas of trauma characterizes the mechanobullous form of the disease. In the inflammatory form of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, urticarial inflammatory plaques with tense bullae, similar to bullous pemphigoid, or mucosal lesions can determine permanent scars and loss of functionality in the ocular, oral, esophageal, and urogenital regions. Due to the similarity of the clinical findings of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita with other diseases of the pemphigoid group and with porphyria cutanea tarda, the diagnosis is currently confirmed mainly based on the clinical correlation with histopathological findings (pauci-inflammatory subepidermal cleavage or with a neutrophilic infiltrate) and the demonstration of the presence of anti-collagen VII IgG in situ by direct immunofluorescence, or circulating anti-collagen VII IgG through indirect immunofluorescence and/or ELISA. There is no specific therapy for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and the response to treatment is variable, usually with complete remission in children and a worse prognosis in adults with mucosal involvement. Systemic corticosteroids and immunomodulators (colchicine and dapsone) are alternatives for the treatment of mild forms of the disease, while severe forms require the use of corticosteroid therapy associated with immunosuppressants, intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab.
Topics: Adult; Autoantibodies; Autoimmune Diseases; Blister; Child; Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Pemphigoid, Bullous
PubMed: 35701269
DOI: 10.1016/j.abd.2021.09.010 -
Annals of Oncology : Official Journal... Aug 2019Anti-PD1/PD-L1 directed immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are widely used to treat patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The activity of ICI across...
BACKGROUND
Anti-PD1/PD-L1 directed immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are widely used to treat patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The activity of ICI across NSCLC harboring oncogenic alterations is poorly characterized. The aim of our study was to address the efficacy of ICI in the context of oncogenic addiction.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study for patients receiving ICI monotherapy for advanced NSCLC with at least one oncogenic driver alteration. Anonymized data were evaluated for clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes for ICI therapy: best response (RECIST 1.1), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) from ICI initiation. The primary end point was PFS under ICI. Secondary end points were best response (RECIST 1.1) and OS from ICI initiation.
RESULTS
We studied 551 patients treated in 24 centers from 10 countries. The molecular alterations involved KRAS (n = 271), EGFR (n = 125), BRAF (n = 43), MET (n = 36), HER2 (n = 29), ALK (n = 23), RET (n = 16), ROS1 (n = 7), and multiple drivers (n = 1). Median age was 60 years, gender ratio was 1 : 1, never/former/current smokers were 28%/51%/21%, respectively, and the majority of tumors were adenocarcinoma. The objective response rate by driver alteration was: KRAS = 26%, BRAF = 24%, ROS1 = 17%, MET = 16%, EGFR = 12%, HER2 = 7%, RET = 6%, and ALK = 0%. In the entire cohort, median PFS was 2.8 months, OS 13.3 months, and the best response rate 19%. In a subgroup analysis, median PFS (in months) was 2.1 for EGFR, 3.2 for KRAS, 2.5 for ALK, 3.1 for BRAF, 2.5 for HER2, 2.1 for RET, and 3.4 for MET. In certain subgroups, PFS was positively associated with PD-L1 expression (KRAS, EGFR) and with smoking status (BRAF, HER2).
CONCLUSIONS
: ICI induced regression in some tumors with actionable driver alterations, but clinical activity was lower compared with the KRAS group and the lack of response in the ALK group was notable. Patients with actionable tumor alterations should receive targeted therapies and chemotherapy before considering immunotherapy as a single agent.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; B7-H1 Antigen; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Oncogenes; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Progression-Free Survival; Registries; Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 31125062
DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz167 -
European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Mar 2022Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a painful and common ulcerative form that can pose a diagnostic challenge. In fact, similar oral ulcers can appear secondary to a... (Review)
Review
AIM
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a painful and common ulcerative form that can pose a diagnostic challenge. In fact, similar oral ulcers can appear secondary to a variety of well-defined pathological conditions. Thus, the purpose of this work was to update the current knowledge about RAS METHODS: A narrative review is presented aiming to clarify the extensive differential diagnosis of RAS and its management.
CONCLUSION
As a first aid in relieving the pain, topical applications of corticosteroids, antibiotics, and analgesics are highly recommended, while systemic therapy of RAS should be used in the case of multiple painful ulcerations compromising the quality of life of the patient. Also, natural anti-inflammatory substances from medicinal herbs, in the form of essential oils and extracts are promising agents in the management of RAS.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Quality of Life; Stomatitis, Aphthous
PubMed: 35274547
DOI: 10.23804/ejpd.2022.23.01.14 -
Maedica Dec 2021Milia en plaque is an uncommon benign dermatosis. We present a case of a 43-year-old Caucasian man with a five-month history of asymptomatic symmetric lesions on the...
Milia en plaque is an uncommon benign dermatosis. We present a case of a 43-year-old Caucasian man with a five-month history of asymptomatic symmetric lesions on the earlobes that has been previously treated by self-medication with potent topical steroids, emollients, cosmetic procedures, herbal medication and punch-procedure. Based on clinical examination, a diagnosis of milia on earlobes was established and treated with topical steroids. Milia en plaque of the earlobes has yet not been reported. Treatment is not different from other localizations.
PubMed: 35261683
DOI: 10.26574/maedica.2020.16.4.747 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Feb 2023Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a rare chronic autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes, usually beginning in adulthood. EBA... (Review)
Review
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a rare chronic autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes, usually beginning in adulthood. EBA is induced by autoantibodies to type VII collagen, a major component of anchoring fibrils in the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ). The binding of autoantibodies to type-VII collagen subsequently leads to the detachment of the epidermis and the formation of mucocutaneous blisters. EBA has two major clinical subtypes: the mechanobullous and inflammatory variants. The classic mechanobullous variant presentation consists of skin fragility, bullae with minimal clinical or histological inflammation, erosions in acral distribution that heal with scarring, and milia formation. The inflammatory variant is challenging to differentiate from other autoimmune bullous diseases, most commonly bullous pemphigoid (BP) but also mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), Brunsting-Perry pemphigoid, and linear IgA dermatosis. Due to its recalcitrance conventional treatment of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is shown to be demanding. Here we discuss novel therapeutic strategies that have emerged and which could potentially improve the quality of life in patients with EBA.
PubMed: 36769788
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031139 -
The British Journal of Surgery Sep 2021Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling.
BACKGROUND
Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling.
METHODS
The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty.
RESULTS
NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year.
CONCLUSION
As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Comorbidity; Elective Surgical Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Preoperative Period; Prospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination; Young Adult
PubMed: 33761533
DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab101 -
Anaesthesia Jun 2021Peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in...
Peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30-day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30-day mortality in patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4-1.5). In patients with a pre-operative SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery within 0-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks and 5-6 weeks of the diagnosis (odds ratio (95%CI) 4.1 (3.3-4.8), 3.9 (2.6-5.1) and 3.6 (2.0-5.2), respectively). Surgery performed ≥ 7 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was associated with a similar mortality risk to baseline (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.5 (0.9-2.1)). After a ≥ 7 week delay in undertaking surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients with ongoing symptoms had a higher mortality than patients whose symptoms had resolved or who had been asymptomatic (6.0% (95%CI 3.2-8.7) vs. 2.4% (95%CI 1.4-3.4) vs. 1.3% (95%CI 0.6-2.0), respectively). Where possible, surgery should be delayed for at least 7 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with ongoing symptoms ≥ 7 weeks from diagnosis may benefit from further delay.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; COVID-19; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Infant; Internationality; Male; Middle Aged; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Time; Young Adult
PubMed: 33690889
DOI: 10.1111/anae.15458