Acne Scarring-Pathogenesis, Evaluation, and Treatment Options.

Acne vulgaris is a ubiquitous problem affecting 80 percent of people ages 11 to 30 years, with many patients experiencing some degree of scarring. This review focuses on atrophic scars, the most common type of acne scar. We briefly address the cellular sequelae that lead to scar formation and the initial evaluation of patients with acne scars.

Targeting mutant NRAS signaling pathways in melanoma.

Cutaneous melanoma is a devastating form of skin cancer and its incidence is increasing faster than any other preventable cancer in the United States. The mutant NRAS subset of melanoma is more aggressive and associated with poorer outcomes compared to non-NRAS mutant melanoma. The aggressive nature and complex molecular signaling conferred by this transformation has evaded clinically effective treatment options.

MIG6 Is MEK Regulated and Affects EGF-Induced Migration in Mutant NRAS Melanoma.

Activating mutations in neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) are frequent driver events in cutaneous melanoma. NRAS is a guanosine triphosphate-binding protein whose most well-characterized downstream effector is RAF, leading to activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 signaling. Although there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved targeted therapies for melanoma patients with a primary mutation in NRAS, one form of targeted therapy that has been explored is MEK inhibition.

RAC1 P29S regulates PD-L1 expression in melanoma.

Whole exome sequencing of cutaneous melanoma has led to the detection of P29 mutations in RAC1 in 5-9% of samples, but the role of RAC1 P29 mutations in melanoma biology remains unclear. Using reverse phase protein array analysis to examine the changes in protein/phospho-protein expression, we identified cyclin B1, PD-L1, Ets-1, and Syk as being selectively upregulated with RAC1 P29S expression and downregulated with RAC1 P29S depletion. Using the melanoma patient samples in TCGA, we found PD-L1 expression to be significantly increased in RAC1 P29S patients compared to RAC1 WT as well as other RAC1 mutants.

Targeting TBK1 inhibits migration and resistance to MEK inhibitors in mutant NRAS melanoma.

Unlabelled: Melanoma is a devastating form of skin cancer with limited therapeutic options. Fifteen to 20% of patients with melanoma have an activating mutation in the GTPase, NRAS. The major downstream effectors of RAS are RAFs (ARAF, BRAF, and CRAF), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and the Ral guanine exchange factors (RalGEF).

Combined Inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Cyclooxygenase-2 as a Novel Approach to Enhance Radiotherapy.

Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a promising approach to increasing radiosensitivity of head and neck cancers but treatment resistance remains an important clinical problem. We hypothesize that combined EGFR and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition, using small molecule inhibitors erlotinib and celecoxib, respectively would further increase the antitumor activity of radiotherapy. The effects of combinations of celecoxib, erlotinib and ionizing radiation (IR) on cell growth, cell cycle progression and apoptosis of head and neck cancer cell lines were assessed by cell viability, clonogenic survival, flow cytometry and Annexin V assays and .

HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer, immune response and response to therapy.

Approximately 25% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) worldwide are associated with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV). HPV-positive HNSCCs have a more favorable outcome and greater response to therapy. While chronic HPV infection allows for the evolution of immune evasion mechanisms, viral antigens can still elicit an immune response.

The diagnostic and prognostic utility of positron emission tomography/computed tomography-based follow-up after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Background: The detection of subclinical head and neck cancer recurrence or a second primary tumor may improve survival. In the current study, the authors investigated the clinical value of a follow-up program incorporating serial (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography integrated with computed tomography (PET/CT) in the detection of recurrent disease in patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods: A total of 240 PET/CT scans were reviewed in 80 patients with head and neck cancer who were treated with radiotherapy (RT) from July, 2005 through August, 2007.

Phase 1 study of concurrent sunitinib and image-guided radiotherapy followed by maintenance sunitinib for patients with oligometastases: acute toxicity and preliminary response.

Background: To determine the safety and maximum-tolerated dose of concurrent sunitinib and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) followed by maintenance sunitinib in oligometastastic patients.

Methods: Eligible patients had 1 to 5 sites of metastatic cancer measuring View Article and Find Full Text PDF