Risk of infections using anti-TNF agents in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Five anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents have received regulatory approval for use in rheumatology: adalimumab, golimumab, infliximab, certolizumab, and etanercept. Apart from their well-documented therapeutic value, it is still uncertain to what extent they are associated with an increased risk of infectious adverse events. Areas covered: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized studies to determine the effect of anti-TNF drugs on the occurrence of infectious adverse events (serious infections; tuberculosis; opportunistic infections; any infection).

Cutaneous epithelioid malignant schwannoma: review of the literature and case report.

A case of malignant epithelioid schwannoma in the skin is reported. This was a rare variant of a malignant tumour that arose on the back of a 35-year-old male without neurofibromatosis. Clinically the nodule appeared to be a benign cyst but as it was painful it was decided to remove it.

Tumor antigen presentation by dermal antigen-presenting cells.

Several phenotypes of antigen-presenting cells are present in the dermis, where they presumably function to present encountered antigens for immune responses. This study examined the ability of dermal antigen-presenting cells to present tumor-associated antigens for the induction of in vivo antitumor immunity. Total murine dermal cells were exposed either to medium alone or to medium containing tumor-associated antigens from S1509a tumor cells.

Reduced production of both Th1 and Tc1 lymphocyte subsets in atopic dermatitis (AD).

An imbalance of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-bearing CD4+ T (Th1) cells in the pathogenesis of AD is well recognized; however, a possible role in AD for CD8+ T cells secreting Th1-like cytokines (Tc1) has not been properly addressed. In this study, two- and three-colour FACS analysis allowed us to discriminate the Th1 from the Tc1 subset. AD patients had half the number of IFN-gamma-producing circulating T cells (P < 0.

Regulation of tumor antigen presentation by urocanic acid.

Urocanic acid (UCA) accumulates in the epidermis after deamination of histidine. UCA isomerizes from the trans to the cis form upon exposure to environmental UV radiation. Cis-UCA is immunosuppressive in several models.