Current and emerging intralesional immunotherapies in cutaneous oncology.

Immunotherapies have revolutionized the management of advanced cutaneous malignancies. However, some patients fail to respond to these therapies, others are ineligible because of comorbidities, and a minority of patients experience treatment-limiting systemic immune-related adverse events. To address these issues and expand treatment options for patients with early-stage disease, a variety of immunotherapies are being developed for direct intratumoral administration.

Treatments on the horizon for locally advanced basal cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common human cancers. Most cases of BCC are amenable to surgical and topical treatments with excellent prognosis if diagnosed timely and managed appropriately. However, in a small percentage of cases, it could be locally advanced BBC (laBCC) and not amenable to surgery or radiation, including recurrent, large tumors or tumors that invade deeper tissue.

Prolonged Antipruritic Effect of Botulinum Toxin Type A on Cowhage-induced Itch: A Randomized, Single-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial.

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) is thought to have antipruritic effects through inhibition of pruritic factors, including acetylcholine, substance P, and glutamate. The aim of this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to test the effect of botulinum toxin type A on cowhage, a non-histaminergic model for chronic itch. Botulinum toxin type A was injected into the arm of 35 healthy subjects, with a saline control injected into the contralateral arm.

Cutaneous Oncology in the Immunosuppressed.

Patients with immunosuppressive conditions experience an increased frequency and severity of cutaneous malignancies. This article highlights management of keratinocyte carcinoma, melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and Kaposi sarcoma in the setting of lymphoproliferative disorders, acquired immunodeficiencies, and organ transplantation. Advances in the safety of organ transplant recipient immunosuppression, early identification of risk factors, and new targeted therapies are improving skin cancer outcomes in immunocompromised populations.

Postoperative Candida Infection following Complex Periocular Reconstruction.

Postoperative candida infection is a rarely reported complication in cutaneous surgery, although it may develop more often in particular clinical settings. We present a 59-year-old woman with a well-controlled human immunodeficiency virus infection. She developed a bright red eruption with satellite pustules 2 weeks after excision of recurrent lentigo maligna melanoma of the left lower eyelid and periocular region.

Dermatitis artefacta.

Dermatitis artefacta, also known as factitial dermatitis, is a condition whereby self-induced skin damage is the means used to satisfy a conscious or unconscious desire to assume the sick role. It is particularly common in women and in those with an underlying psychiatric diagnosis or external stress. The diagnosis is one of exclusion, and it is often difficult to confirm, with patients rarely admitting their role in the creation of their lesions.

Psychiatric disorders and pruritus.

The skin and psyche are intimately related with various skin diseases caused by or resulting in psychiatric disturbances. Pruritus is a commonly reported symptom in psychiatric patients, and likewise psychiatric co-morbidities, including anxiety and depression, are frequently seen in chronic pruritus patients. Primary psychodermatologic conditions, such as somatic symptom disorder, dermatitis artefacta, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (excoriation disorder and prurigo nodularis), delusional infestation, and substance use disorder, can all induce significant pruritus in patients, severely affecting their quality of life.

The prevalence and characteristics of chronic ocular itch: a cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of chronic ocular itch in an outpatient ophthalmology and optometry clinic.

Methods: Four hundred patients from an outpatient ophthalmology and optometry clinic were enrolled. The presence and characteristics of chronic ocular itch were assessed by a questionnaire.

Muddy conditions reduce hygiene and lying time in dairy cattle and increase time spent on concrete.

Dairy cattle spend less time lying and show signs of increased stress when housed in rainy and windy conditions, but no work has separated the effects of exposure to inclement weather from muddy conditions underfoot. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of muddy conditions alone on lying behavior, hygiene, and physiological responses. We housed pairs of pregnant, nonlactating dairy cattle (n = 12; 6 primigravid heifers, 6 multiparous cows) in enclosed pens with dirt floors and a concrete feed apron.

Current and Emerging Therapies for Itch Management in Psoriasis.

Pruritus is a common and significant symptom among patients with psoriasis. Pruritus is often present beyond the borders of psoriatic plaques, and frequently affects the scalp and genital regions. Psoriatic itch may be severe and can profoundly affect quality of life and sleep, even in the context of mild-to-moderate disease.

Nocturnal Pruritus: The Battle for a Peaceful Night's Sleep.

Chronic pruritus is a debilitating condition with numerous etiologies. Many patients suffer from nocturnal pruritus, which can decrease quality of life and affect mortality in hemodialysis patients. Nocturnal pruritus may occur in all sleep stages but is most prevalent in stages N1 and N2.

Advances in therapeutic strategies for the treatment of pruritus.

Introduction: Chronic pruritus is a common symptom that arises from both dermatologic and non-dermatologic conditions including chronic kidney disease, cholestasis, lymphoma and neuropathy. Over the past decade, research has elucidated many of the receptors, neuropeptides and cytokines involved in itch sensation and transmission. In addition, the first biomarker for cholestatic itch has been discovered.

Chronic pruritus in the elderly: pathophysiology, diagnosis and management.

Chronic itch in the elderly is a common problem, with a significant impact on quality of life and sleep in elderly patients. Chronic itch may be attributable to several causes, including dry skin, immunosenescence and neural degeneration. Itch may also be caused by skin diseases, such as seborrhoeic dermatitis and stasis dermatitis; systemic conditions, such as end-stage renal disease and diabetes; and psychogenic conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

Characteristics of relinquishing and adoptive owners of horses associated with U.S. nonprofit equine rescue organizations.

Nonprofit equine rescue organizations in the United States provide care for relinquished horses and may offer adoption programs. With an estimated 100,000 "unwanted" horses per year and few municipal shelters providing wholesale euthanasia, there is a need to minimize the number of unwanted horses and maximize their successful transition to new caregivers. This study's objectives were to characterize the relinquishing and adoptive owners interacting with nonprofit rescue organizations.