Dickkopf-related Protein 2 Promotes Hair Growth by Upregulating the Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway in Human Dermal Papilla Cells.

Background: The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is crucial for the development, initiation, and growth of hair follicles (HFs). The Dickkopf-related protein (DKK) gene family encodes secreted proteins modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Studies have reported that DKK1 promotes the regression of HFs and serves as a pathogenic mediator in male pattern baldness.

Factors Affecting the Response and Patient Satisfaction of Topical Immunotherapy in Alopecia Areata: A Nationwide Study.

Background: Contact immunotherapy using diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is a recommended treatment for severe alopecia areata (AA); however, few clinical factors are known, and few standardized application methods affecting therapeutic efficacy have been devised.

Objective: To confirm the therapeutic response of DPCP immunotherapy in AA, first we analyze the factors influencing its outcome and patient satisfaction levels, after which we standardize the DPCP treatment method for better outcomes.

Methods: We utilized a nationwide questionnaire-based survey to assess patient satisfaction and undertook a medical record review involving 412 patients currently undergoing treatment for DPCP.

The Quality of Life and Psychosocial Impact on Female Pattern Hair Loss.

Background: Alopecia, a benign dermatologic condition affecting both genders, particularly harms female patients due to psychosocial effects. Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), the primary cause of hair loss in women, lacks sufficient Korean epidemiological studies examining its psychosocial aspects.

Objective: This study aimed to explore FPHL's psychosocial impacts, including quality of life (QoL), depression, anxiety, medical consumption, and hair loss factors in Korean women.

A Case of Perineal Hemangioma, External Genitalia Malformations, Lipomyelomeningocele, Vesicorenal Abnormalities, Imperforate Anus, and Skin Tag (PELVIS) Syndrome with Extensive Perineal Infantile Hemangioma.

PELVIS syndrome describes the constellation of perineal hemangioma, external genitalia malformations, lipomyelomeningocele, vesicorenal abnormalities, imperforate anus, and skin tag. A 2-month-old girl presented with infantile hemangioma on her perineum and genitalia with imperforate anus, rectovaginal fistula and perineal skin tag at birth. Under the impression of PELVIS syndrome, consequential spinal sonography was conducted and revealed an intrasacral meningocele without clinical neurologic deficit.

Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Alopecia Areata in Korea: Part II Systemic Treatment.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic disease with an unpredictable course and can have a severe psychological impact on an individual.

Objective: To provide evidence and consensus-based statements regarding the treatment of patients with AA in Korea.

Methods: We searched for relevant studies from inception to May 2021 regarding the systemic treatment of AA.

Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Alopecia Areata in Korea: Part I Topical and Device-based Treatment.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic disease with an unpredictable disease course and severe psychological impact.

Objective: To provide evidence- and consensus-based insights regarding the treatment of patients with AA in Korea.

Methods: We searched for relevant studies on the topical and device-based treatment of AA in the literature from inception until May 2021.

Integrated safety analysis of baricitinib in adults with severe alopecia areata from two randomized clinical trials.

Background: Baricitinib, an oral, selective, reversible Janus kinase (JAK)1/JAK2 inhibitor, is an approved treatment for adults with severe alopecia areata (AA) in the USA, European Union and Japan.

Objectives: To report safety data for baricitinib in patients with severe AA from two clinical trials including long-term extension periods.

Methods: This analysis includes pooled patient-level safety data from two trials, an adaptive phase II/III trial (BRAVE-AA1) and a phase III trial (BRAVE-AA2) (ClinicalTrials.

Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Dutasteride versus Finasteride in Patients with Male Androgenic Alopecia in South Korea: A Multicentre Chart Review Study.

Background: Dutasteride improves hair growth compared with finasteride in male androgenic alopecia (AGA) and is well tolerated. However, real-world evidence for long-term dutasteride use in AGA is lacking.

Objective: To describe baseline characteristics, treatment patterns and long-term safety and effectiveness of dutasteride versus finasteride.

Impact of Pediatric Alopecia Areata on Quality of Life of Patients and Their Family Members: A Nationwide Multicenter Questionnaire Study.

Background: Pediatric alopecia areata (AA) can affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients and their family members. Research on the QoL and burden on family members in pediatric AA is limited.

Objective: This nationwide multicenter questionnaire study described the QoL and burden of the family members of patients with pediatric AA.

A Phase 3, Randomized, Multi-center Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Neu-BoNT/A in Treatment of Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis.

Background: Botulinum toxin type A is widely used to treat primary axillary hyperhidrosis and has proven to be an effective and safe approach. Onabotulinumtoxin A was approved by the FDA as a treatment for primary axillary hyperhidrosis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Neu-BoNT/A in subjects diagnosed with primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

Clinical efficacy of adipocyte-derived stem cells conditioned media combined with micro-injury in refractory patch of alopecia areata.

Management of alopecia areata (AA) is often challenging especially when patients have AA lesion refractory to conventional treatments such as corticosteroids, contact immunotherapy, and systemic therapy. Reports indicate adipocyte-derived stem cell conditioned media (ASC-CM) can activate hair growth and micro-injury using fractional laser or microneedling can also induce wound healing and hair regeneration, which suggests ASC-CM combined with fractional laser or microneedling might provide alternative therapeutic option for a refractory patch of AA. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of ASC-CM combined with 10,600 nm carbon dioxide fractional laser or microneedling for the treatment of refractory patch of AA.

Long-term efficacy and safety of intravenous injection of clonal mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow in five adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory skin disease that is treated with immunosuppressants. However, long-term use of immunosuppressants may cause toxicity and severe side-effects. To confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of clonal mesenchymal stem cell therapy, we performed investigator-initiated clinical trials and long-term observation in five adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis that was refractory to conventional treatments.

Clinical outcomes in adult patients with plaque psoriasis treated with ustekinumab under real-world practice in Korea: A prospective, observational, multi-center, postmarketing surveillance study.

Postmarketing surveillance is conducted to establish drug safety and effectiveness under real-world practice. We aimed to validate the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in the treatment of adult Korean patients with plaque psoriasis under real-world practice. This was a prospective, observational, and multi-center study.

The long-term risk of lymphoma and skin cancer did not increase after topical calcineurin inhibitor use and phototherapy in a cohort of 25,694 patients with vitiligo.

Background: Topical calcineurin inhibitors have been used to treat vitiligo, either alone or in combination with phototherapy; however, the long-term safety of these agents remains controversial.

Objective: To investigate the risk of lymphoma and skin cancer in vitiligo patients who received topical calcineurin inhibitors or phototherapy.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study of 25,694 vitiligo patients who received topical calcineurin inhibitors or phototherapy for 6 weeks or more between 2001 and 2019 was performed.

Development of evidence-based consensus on critical issues in the management of patients with vitiligo: A modified Delphi study.

Background/purpose: Vitiligo remains a major challenge in dermatology. However, much of the treatment remains unclear, because little evidence is available. We sought to answer some critical questions pertaining to management of vitiligo patients.

Acrosyringeal variant of extragenital lichen sclerosus et atrophicus.

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis of the anogenital area, and approximately 15% to 20% of patients with LSA have extragenital lesions. Here, we report the case of an 18-year-old Korean man presenting with multiple asymptomatic punctated hypopigmented atrophic macules on the dorsa of both feet. Dermoscopic examination revealed hypopigmented atrophic macules with several central keratotic plugs.

Evaluation for Skin Cancer and Precancer in Patients With Vitiligo Treated With Long-term Narrowband UV-B Phototherapy.

Importance: Narrowband UV-B (NBUVB) phototherapy has been the mainstay in the treatment of vitiligo, but its long-term safety in terms of photocarcinogenesis has not been established.

Objectives: To investigate the risks of skin cancer and precancerous lesions among patients with vitiligo undergoing NBUVB phototherapy, based on the number of NBUVB phototherapy sessions.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study enrolled 60 321 patients with vitiligo 20 years or older between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017.

Significant relationship between temporal hair loss and other scalp areas in female pattern hair loss.

Female pattern hair loss affects the central scalp, sparing the frontal hairline. The temporal area can also be affected by hair loss. We investigated the degree of temporal hair loss and correlation of other sites of scalp hair loss in Korean female pattern hair loss patients.