We present a case series of 13 patients, the first Australian single-centre study of bullous pemphigoid (BP) associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI): cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen (CTLA4) and programmed cell death receptor (PD1) inhibitors. All our patients achieved adequate control of BP with a combination of treatments including oral prednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab and omalizumab. The majority of patients ceased or interrupted immunotherapy treatment upon diagnosis of BP and greater tumour progression was seen in the cohort who ceased immunotherapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Clinical quality registries aim to identify significant variations in care and provide anonymised feedback to institutions to improve patient outcomes. Thirty-six Australian organisations with an interest in melanoma, raised funds through three consecutive Melanoma Marches, organised by Melanoma Institute Australia, to create a national Melanoma Clinical Outcomes Registry (MelCOR). This study aimed to formally develop valid clinical quality indicators for the diagnosis and early management of cutaneous melanoma as an important step in creating the registry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith new, effective treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) the impact of second malignancies is increasingly important. We performed a retrospective case-controlled study examining the effect of CLL and its treatment on melanoma-specific survival and recurrence. A total of 56 patients with melanoma with CLL were matched 1:1 to patients without CLL for age, date of diagnosis, gender and melanoma tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) stage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSince the concurrence of bullous pemphigoid (BP) and psoriasis was first reported in 1929, an increasing number of studies has been published to analyse their relationship in recent years. However, the pathogenesis of the concurrence is not yet well understood, and the coexistence of the two conditions imposes a difficult therapeutic challenge. This case report demonstrates the first case of secukinumab achieving a dramatic clinical improvement of both chronic psoriasis and active BP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/objectives: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly invasive cutaneous malignancy. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and trends of MCC in Victoria, Australia, between 1986 and 2016.
Methods: Population-based, descriptive analysis of Victorian Cancer Registry (VCR) data.
Background/objectives: To describe the characteristics, subsequent management and outcomes of patients referred for further management following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients referred to a quaternary cancer centre from 2000 to 2015.
Results: In total, 83 lesions in 82 patients were referred for further management; 52 (62%) were SCC and 80 (96%) were located in the head and neck.
Primary cutaneous large cell anaplastic lymphoma (C-ALCL) and lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) are cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30+ LPD). An association with CD30+ LPD and pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia has been recognized. Additionally, rare reports of epithelial neoplasms such as keratoacanthomas and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) occurring in association with both C-ALCL and LyP have been reported.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAtypical cutaneous melanocytic lesions, including those with Spitzoid features, can be difficult to categorize as benign or malignant. This can lead to suboptimal management, with potential adverse patient outcomes. Recent studies have enhanced knowledge of the molecular and genetic biology of these lesions and, combined with clinicopathological findings, is further defining their biological spectrum, classification, and behavior.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Vemurafenib has been approved for the treatment of patients with advanced BRAF(V600E)-mutant melanoma. This report by the Vemurafenib Dermatology Working Group presents the characteristics of dermatologic adverse events (AEs) that occur in vemurafenib-treated patients, including cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC).
Methods: Dermatologic AEs were assessed from three ongoing trials of BRAF(V600E) mutation-positive advanced melanoma.
Methotrexate is a synthetic folic acid analogue valued for both its anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. Considered one of the original immune-modifying agents, it is used widely for the treatment of steroid-recalcitrant inflammatory diseases. While there are abundant studies documenting its efficacy in rheumatic diseases, the use of methotrexate for dermatological conditions, with the exception of psoriasis, has yet to be comprehensively explored.
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