A single-center, open-label, prospective pilot study of subcutaneous efalizumab for oral erosive lichen planus.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of efalizumab in the treatment of oral erosive lichen planus.

Design: A single-center, open-label, prospective pilot study. The primary efficacy outcome measure was the change in oral mucosal surface area involvement after 12 weeks of treatment.

Off-label uses of biologics in dermatology: rituximab, omalizumab, infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, efalizumab, and alefacept (part 2 of 2).

Recently, dermatologists have witnessed a revolution in our therapeutic armamentarium with the development of several novel biologic immunomodulators. Although psoriasis remains the only condition in dermatology for which the use of biologic immunomodulators has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, these drugs have the potential to significantly impact the treatment of several inflammatory conditions in dermatology. This article includes a review of the mechanism of action, dosing, and side-effect profile, as well as a review of the current literature on off-label uses of the CD20-positive B-cell antagonist rituximab, the IgE antagonist omalizumab, the tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab, and the T-cell response modifiers efalizumab and alefacept.

Off-label uses of biologic agents in dermatology: a 2006 update.

The introduction of a number of biologic therapies into the market has revolutionized the practice of dermatology. These therapies include adalimumab, alefacept, efalizumab, etanercept, infliximab, IVIg, omalizumab, and rituximab. Most dermatologists are familiar with the indications of these medications that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration; however, numerous off-label uses have evolved.

Nonscarring inflammatory alopecia associated with the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor gefitinib.

Gefitinib (ZD1839, Iressa, AstraZeneca, Wilmington, Del) is a novel oral anticancer agent that acts by blocking the function of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Gefitinib and other drugs that block epidermal growth factor receptor function have been associated with a similar and interesting pattern of cutaneous adverse effects, including follicular acneiform eruptions, xerosis, desquamation, seborrheic dermatitis, chronic paronychia, and hair texture changes. These effects appear to reflect the significance of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in the skin.

Skin cancer examination teaching in US medical education.

Objective: To determine physician preparation for performing the skin cancer examination (SCE).

Design: We evaluated medical students' observation, training, and practice of the SCE; hours spent in a dermatology clinic; and self-reported skill level for the SCE by a self-administered survey.

Participants: Graduating students at 7 US medical schools during the 2002-2003 academic year.