Publications by authors named "Castelo-Soccio L"

Article Synopsis
  • Small studies suggest that low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) might be effective and safe for hair loss, but more extensive research and guidelines are needed.* -
  • An expert consensus statement was developed involving 43 dermatologists to standardize LDOM prescribing practices, covering various aspects like indications, dosing, and monitoring.* -
  • The consensus reached includes 76 relevant points, but topics related to pediatric use and titration protocols need further investigation, highlighting gaps in research for younger patients.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates the range of skin conditions in patients with germline SUFU pathogenic variants (PVs), focusing on their clinical and histopathologic features.* -
  • Conducted across U.S. dermatology and genetics clinics over eight years, the study analyzed skin biopsy samples from five female patients aged 31-68, identifying several types of skin tumors.* -
  • Findings reveal that alongside typical basal cell carcinomas, these patients exhibit various indolent skin lesions, indicating a broader range of cutaneous manifestations associated with SUFU PVs.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Despite the acknowledgment of the importance of social determinants of health (SDOH) on clinical outcomes, few clinical trials provide information about SDOH. Including these markers in pediatric dermatologic clinical trials may lead to improved care and novel observations about the disease.

Objective: Using a systematic review, assess the use of SDOH in pediatric dermatology clinical trials.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Cutaneous protothecosis is an uncommon infection that affects the skin and can spread systemically, requiring long-term treatment with medications that may have harmful side effects.
  • The case study focuses on a patient whose skin infection did not respond to standard triazole treatment.
  • The patient showed significant improvement after being treated with a new oral formulation of amphotericin B, which was effective without causing any toxicity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • VEXAS syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes bone marrow failure and systemic inflammation, which can lead to a higher risk of infections for affected patients.
  • In a study of 94 patients with VEXAS, 6% developed pneumonia (PJP), 15% experienced reactivation of the alphaherpesvirus, and 10% had non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections.
  • The research found that developing PJP or NTM significantly increases the risk of death, while prophylactic treatments for these infections were shown to be highly effective in reducing infection rates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • VEXAS syndrome is a genetic disease primarily affecting older men, characterized by systemic inflammation, bone marrow failure, and skin issues, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 4269 men over 50.
  • A study of 112 patients revealed that 83% experienced skin involvement, making it a common symptom, with various histopathologic findings indicating conditions like leukocytoclastic vasculitis and neutrophilic dermatosis.
  • Specific genetic variants were linked to different skin manifestations; treatment with oral prednisone was effective in improving skin symptoms for a majority of patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1) is a severe genetic disorder resulting from AIRE deficiency, leading to self-reactive T cells causing autoimmune damage in various organs.
  • The study investigated the role of interferon-γ in APS-1 by analyzing patient samples and conducting experiments with mice, finding that high levels of interferon-γ correlate with disease activity.
  • Treatment with the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib significantly reduced interferon-γ levels and improved symptoms in APS-1 patients, suggesting that targeting this pathway may be a viable therapeutic approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome (TPDS) is linked to an increased risk for several types of cancer, making early detection crucial for patients and their families.
  • A study examined nail abnormalities in 47 individuals with known BAP1 variants, revealing that 87.2% of participants had some form of nail issue, including leukonychia and onychopapilloma.
  • The findings highlight the prevalence of nail abnormalities among BAP1 TPDS patients, suggesting that these changes could serve as a clinical indicator for further evaluation and monitoring of cancer risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Importance: Chronic skin disorders in children frequently are visible and can cause stigmatization. However, the extent of stigmatization from chronic skin disease and association with mental health needs further study.

Objective: To examine the extent of stigma, dependence on disease visibility and severity, and association with mental health and quality of life (QOL) in chronic pediatric skin disease.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • There is a need for evidence-based treatment guidelines for vitiligo specifically tailored for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult patients in the US.
  • A literature review involving consensus-building among experts led to the formation of 42 recommendations regarding the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo in young patients.
  • Key findings included strong recommendations for treatments such as topical calcineurin inhibitors and topical corticosteroids, with specific guidance on duration and patient age considerations for effective management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Unwanted hair is a common concern among patients presenting to pediatric dermatology clinics, and parents and patients alike inquire about the safety of methods employed for elective removal. Various methods of hair removal exist with different levels of invasiveness and permanence, from simple mechanical depilation to light-based therapies. All methods of hair removal appear to be safe and generally well tolerated in children, and there are no age restrictions to any modality.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune form of non-scarring hair loss that occurs on a spectrum from patchy loss of hair on the scalp, to complete hair loss. Histology features can vary, but increased abundance of telogen hair and miniaturized hair follicles are classic hallmarks [Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:397-403].

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is an inherited disorder of immunity which leads to increased risk for mucocutaneous candidiasis and multiorgan autoimmune disease. While alopecia areata (AA) has been described in some patients with APECED, the extent and timing of AA is not well established and extent and timing of concomitant vitiligo and hypothyroidism has not been described. We evaluated an APECED cohort followed at the National Institutes of Health for the timing of development of associated diseases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To describe a 41-year-old woman with a history of neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease, on treatment with daily subcutaneous injections of 600 mg of recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) protein, anakinra, since the age of 28, who presented with golf-ball size nodules at the anakinra injection sites, early satiety, new onset nephrotic syndrome in the context of normal markers of systemic inflammation.

Methods: Clinical history and histologic evaluation of biopsies of skin, gastric mucosa, and kidney with Congo-red staining and proteomic evaluation of microdissected Congo red-positive amyloid deposits by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: The skin, stomach, and kidney biopsies all showed the presence of Congo red-positive amyloid deposits.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Methotrexate (MTX) is a readily accessible drug, first used in 1948 and employed for a wide variety of indications since then. However, despite widespread off-label use, FDA labeling does not include approved indications for the use of MTX for many inflammatory skin diseases in pediatric patients, including morphea, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata, among others. Without published treatment guidelines, some clinicians may be hesitant to use MTX off-label, or uncomfortable prescribing MTX in this population.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Pediatric dermatoses can present at birth or develop over time. When managing dermatology conditions in children, caregiver involvement is important. Patients may have lesions that need to be monitored or need assistance with therapeutic administration.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Protein kinases play a major role in cellular activation processes, including signal transduction by diverse immunoreceptors. Given their roles in cell growth and death and in the production of inflammatory mediators, targeting kinases has proven to be an effective treatment strategy, initially as anticancer therapies, but shortly thereafter in immune-mediated diseases. Herein, we provide an overview of the status of small molecule inhibitors specifically generated to target protein kinases relevant to immune cell function, with an emphasis on those approved for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF