Deucravacitinib, an oral selective allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor, in patients from China mainland, Taiwan and South Korea with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: a phase III randomized clinical trial.

Background: Deucravacitinib, an oral selective allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor, is approved in the USA, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, China and other countries for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib in Asian patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Methods: In the 52-week blinded phase III POETYK PSO-3 trial (NCT04167462), patients were randomized 1 : 2 to placebo (n = 74) or deucravacitinib 6 mg once daily (n = 146) for 16 weeks followed by deucravacitinib alone.

TNF-α Activating Osteoclasts in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis Enhances the Recruitment of Osteoclast Precursors: A Plausible Role of WNT5A-MCP-1 in Osteoclast Engagement in Psoriatic Arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) results from joint destruction by osteoclasts. The promising efficacy of TNF-α blockage indicates its important role in osteoclastogenesis of PsA. WNT ligands actively regulate osteoclastogenesis.

Recommendations for psoriatic arthritis management: A joint position paper of the Taiwan Rheumatology Association and the Taiwanese Association for Psoriasis and Skin Immunology.

In Taiwan, the incidence and prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have risen significantly in recent years. Moreover, data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) show that more than 85% of PsA patients are treated with just non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). Taiwanese clinicians have also expressed concerns regarding uncertainties in the diagnosis of PsA and the delayed, interrupted, and/or tapered use of biologics, as well as differences in therapeutic preferences between and within dermatologists and rheumatologists.

Targeting steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA), a long non-coding RNA, enhances melanogenesis through activation of TRP1 and inhibition of p38 phosphorylation.

Abnormal skin melanin homeostasis results in refractory pigmentary diseases. Melanogenesis is influenced by gene regulation, ultraviolet radiation, and host epigenetic responses. Steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA), a long noncoding RNA, is known to regulate steroidogenesis and tumorigenesis.

Upregulation of miR-941 in Circulating CD14+ Monocytes Enhances Osteoclast Activation via WNT16 Inhibition in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a destructive joint disease mediated by osteoclasts. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate several important pathways in osteoclastogenesis. We profiled the expression of miRNAs in CD14+ monocytes from PsA patients and investigated how candidate microRNAs regulate the pathophysiology in osteoclastogenesis.

Steroid Receptor RNA Activator, a Long Noncoding RNA, Activates p38, Facilitates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transformation, and Mediates Experimental Melanoma Metastasis.

Melanoma metastasis signals dismal prognosis even with current checkpoint inhibitors. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate dynamic metastasis in several cancers, including melanoma. We became interested in a lncRNA, steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA), because it is the first lncRNA also encoding a conserved protein, SRAP, and it regulates progression of prostate and breast cancers.

MiR-146a-5p Expression in Peripheral CD14⁺ Monocytes from Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis Induces Osteoclast Activation, Bone Resorption, and Correlates with Clinical Response.

In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), progressive bone destruction is mediated by monocyte-derived osteoclasts. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many pathophysiological processes; however, their function in PsA patient monocytes has not been examined. This study aims to address whether specific miRNAs in CD14⁺ monocytes and monocyte-derived osteoclasts cause active osteoclastogenesis in PsA patients.

Treatment with TNF-α inhibitor rectifies M1 macrophage polarization from blood CD14+ monocytes in patients with psoriasis independent of STAT1 and IRF-1 activation.

Background: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease with dramatic responses to TNF-α inhibitors. TNF-α is mainly produced by macrophages. However, how macrophage polarization contributes to psoriasis remains unknown.

Randomized, controlled trial of TNF-α antagonist in CTL-mediated severe cutaneous adverse reactions.

Background: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated (CTL-mediated) severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), are rare but life-threatening adverse reactions commonly induced by drugs. Although high levels of CTL-associated cytokines, chemokines, or cytotoxic proteins, including TNF-α and granulysin, were observed in SJS-TEN patients in recent studies, the optimal treatment for these diseases remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and therapeutic mechanism of a TNF-α antagonist in CTL-mediated SCARs.

Cutaneous manifestations of subcutaneous and systemic fungal infections in tropical regions: a retrospective study from a referral center in southern Taiwan.

Background: Deep cutaneous fungal infections, including subcutaneous mycoses and systemic fungal infection with cutaneous involvement, cause significant morbidity and mortality in light of increasing immunocompromised patients and global warming. Although a few studies reviewed deep fungal infections in temperate regions, a relevant study in tropical regions is lacking. We evaluated features of deep cutaneous fungal infections in southern Taiwan among the tropical regions.

Treatment of Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma with 3 mm Surgical Margin in Asians.

Background. In Asians, most basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are pigmented with clear borders. The consensus of 4 mm surgical margin for BCC largely depends on studies in nonpigmented BCCs in Caucasians.

No Significant Reduction of Circulating Endothelial-Derived and Platelet-Derived Microparticles in Patients with Psoriasis Successfully Treated with Anti-IL12/23.

Psoriasis is associated with atherosclerosis, in which circulating microparticles play an important role. In severe psoriasis, there was an increase of endothelial- and platelet- microparticles which could be decreased by anti-TNFα. However, whether anti-IL-12/23 treatment would decrease the level of microparticles remains unknown.

Bull's eye dermatoscopy pattern at bacillus Calmette-Guérin inoculation site correlates with systemic involvements in patients with Kawasaki disease.

For the past decades, although the rash at the bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) inoculation site has been recognized as a diagnostic clue in Kawasaki disease, the present study is the first known one attempting to characterize BCG inoculation by dermatoscopy in Kawasaki disease and correlate the grade of BCG reaction with systemic involvement. Thirty-four patients diagnosed with Kawasaki disease by pediatric specialists were enrolled. We performed detailed history taking, laboratory examination, physical examination and dermatoscopy examinations.

TRP channels in skin: from physiological implications to clinical significances.

TRP channels are expressed in various cells in skin. As an organ system to border the host and environment, many nonneuronal cells, including epidermal keratinocytes and melanocytes, express several TRP channels functionally distinct from sensory processing. TRPV1 and TRPV3 in keratinocytes of the epidermis and hair apparatus inhibit proliferation, induce terminal differentiation, induce apoptosis, and promote inflammation.

Dermal dendritic cells, but not Langerhans cells, are critical in murine single epicutaneous sensitization.

A murine repeated protein-patch model has been established to study epicutaneous sensitization in atopic dermatitis. This model has shown a predominant Th2 and a weak Th1 response in both BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. However, Th responses induced in the repeated model are not consistent with the generally accepted theory that BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice are Th2 and Th1 prone and are representatives of human atopy and non-atopy, respectively.

Genetic variants associated with phenytoin-related severe cutaneous adverse reactions.

Importance: The antiepileptic drug phenytoin can cause cutaneous adverse reactions, ranging from maculopapular exanthema to severe cutaneous adverse reactions, which include drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The pharmacogenomic basis of phenytoin-related severe cutaneous adverse reactions remains unknown.

Objective: To investigate the genetic factors associated with phenytoin-related severe cutaneous adverse reactions.

The Clinical Correlations of Helicobacter pylori Virulence Factors and Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Background and Study Aims. The association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) remains controversial.

Necrolytic migratory erythema and glucagonoma rising from pancreatic head.

Glucagonoma syndrome encompasses necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), hyperglucagonemia, diabetes mellitus, anemia, weight loss, glossitis, angular cheilitis, steatorrhea, diarrhea, venous thrombosis, and neuropsychiatric disturbance. Of all the symptoms, NME is a rare skin disorder which is pathognomonic for glucagonoma. We present a 61-year-old woman diagnosed initially as pancreatic head adenocarcinoma with liver metastasis prior to the skin eruption.

Efficacy and safety of ustekinumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis: a phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Taiwanese and Korean patients (PEARL).

Background: Ustekinumab has been evaluated in Caucasian patients with psoriasis, but no studies have been conducted in Asian patients.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in Taiwanese and Korean patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Methods: In this 36-week, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 121 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were randomized (1:1) to receive subcutaneous injections of ustekinumab 45mg at weeks 0, 4, 16 or placebo at weeks 0, 4 and ustekinumab 45mg at weeks 12, 16.

Positive effect of modified Goeckerman regimen on quality of life and psychosocial distress in moderate and severe psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a profound effect on quality of life and psychosocial stress. The relationship between clinical improvement and psycho-social impact after treatment is complex. The objective of this study was to compare changes in quality of life and psychosocial distress, and overall cost-effectiveness, in patients with psoriasis receiving the modified Goeckerman regimen (UV irradiation and coal tar) with those receiving conventional treatment.

Prurigo pigmentosa: a clinical and histopathologic study of 11 cases.

Background: Prurigo pigmentosa is a rare inflammatory dermatosis of unknown etiology. It is characterized by a recurrent pruritic rash and net like pigmentation. Most of the reported cases have been from Japan; however, here we report on several cases from Taiwan.

Malignancies after renal transplantation in southern Taiwan: experience in one centre.

Objective: To present data on cancer distribution in renal-transplant recipients in Chinese people, as in Western studies renal-transplant recipients are reportedly at greater risk of malignancies, especially skin cancer, but there is limited information in Chinese people.

Patients And Methods: Using the data of a cancer registry, we compared a hospital-based cohort of 283 renal-transplant recipients between 1981 and 2002 with the general population in Taiwan, to identify the incidence and risk factors of cancer.

Results: The cumulative period of observation was 22 582.