Cutaneous Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Review for the Rheumatologist.

The majority of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have cutaneous manifestations at some point in their disease course. The skin findings in SLE are classified as SLE-specific or SLE-nonspecific based on histopathologic findings. SLE-specific skin diseases include chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), subacute CLE, and acute CLE.

Risk of Cerebrovascular Events Among Childhood and Adolescent Patients Receiving Cranial Radiation Therapy: A PENTEC Normal Tissue Outcomes Comprehensive Review.

Purpose: Radiation-induced cerebrovascular toxicity is a well-documented sequelae that can be both life-altering and potentially fatal. We performed a meta-analysis of the relevant literature to create practical models for predicting the risk of cerebral vasculopathy after cranial irradiation.

Methods And Materials: A literature search was performed for studies reporting pediatric radiation therapy (RT) associated cerebral vasculopathy.

Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus in females.

Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE) is a rare blistering presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus, typically affecting women with the highest incidence in those of African descent. The key pathogenic insult includes the formation of autoantibodies against type VII collagen, which weaken the basement membrane zone and lead to the formation of subepidermal blisters. The acute vesiculobullous eruptions in BSLE generally tend to affect photo-distributed areas, although they can arise unrelated to sun exposure (eg, mucous membranes, axillae).

Emerging Therapies in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is an autoimmune disease that can occur with or without underlying systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and often has a profoundly negative impact on patient quality of life. There is substantial need for new and more effective therapies to treat CLE. CLE has a multifactorial pathogenesis that involves several key immune cells and pathways, including abnormalities in innate (e.

Autoimmune Skin Disease Exacerbations Following COVID-19 Vaccination.

Background: Vaccination against COVID-19 reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 disease and death. However, few studies have examined the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine in patients with autoimmune skin disease.

Objectives: We sought to determine the incidence of disease exacerbation in this population following COVID-19 vaccination as well as the associated factors.

Multidimensional Immune Profiling of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus In Vivo Stratified by Patient Response to Antimalarials.

Objective: The pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is multifactorial, and CLE is difficult to treat due to the heterogeneity of inflammatory processes among patients. Antimalarials such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and quinacrine (QC) have long been used as first-line systemic therapy; however, many patients do not respond to treatment with antimalarials and require systemic immunosuppressants that produce undesirable side effects. Given the complexity and the unpredictability of responses to antimalarial treatments in CLE patients, we sought to characterize the immunologic profile of patients with CLE stratified by subsequent treatment outcomes to identify potential biomarkers of inducible response.

Interventions for Cutaneous Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Summary of a Cochrane Review.

Clinical Question: What is the efficacy of interventions for cutaneous disease in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in randomized clinical trials (RCTs)?

Bottom Line: Available RCT evidence on the management of cutaneous disease in SLE is sparse and of limited quality. Among traditional options, methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine have the strongest evidence compared with placebo in the end points of complete clinical response and number of clinical flares, respectively, while chloroquine appears noninferior to methotrexate in achieving complete clinical response.

Scalp and Cranium Radiation Therapy Using Modulation (SCRUM) and Bolus.

Purpose: A bolus is usually required to ensure radiation dose coverage of extensive superficial tumors of the scalp or skull. Oftentimes, these boluses are challenging to make and are nonreproducible, so an easier method was sought.

Methods And Materials: Thermoplastic sheets are widely available in radiation oncology clinics and can serve as bolus.