Long-term efficacy and safety of biosimilar infliximab (CT-P13) after switching from originator infliximab: open-label extension of the NOR-SWITCH trial.

Background And Objectives: The 52-week, randomized, double-blind, noninferiority, government-funded NOR-SWITCH trial demonstrated that switching from infliximab originator to less expensive biosimilar CT-P13 was not inferior to continued treatment with infliximab originator. The NOR-SWITCH extension trial aimed to assess efficacy, safety and immunogenicity in patients on CT-P13 throughout the 78-week study period (maintenance group) versus patients switched to CT-P13 at week 52 (switch group). The primary outcome was disease worsening during follow-up based on disease-specific composite measures.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: is clinical response predictable?

Background: Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) has been accepted as a standard therapy in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL), a category of lymphomas mainly resistant to conventional therapies. Approximately one half of patients demonstrate a reduction in skin affliction by at least 50% within 12 months of therapy and are categorized as responders to ECP. Predictive criteria for selecting patients who will respond to ECP are lacking.

[Mycosis fungoides. Early diagnosis and evaluation of treatment by polymerase chain reaction].

We describe the case of a 60-year-old man who, after seven years with eczematous changes, developed erythrodermia, clinically suspect of mycosis fungoides. T-cell receptor gamma (TCR-gamma) gene rearrangements were retrospectively investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA from a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded punch biopsy showed a monoclonal pattern compatible with mycosis fungoides two years before the diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically.

Clinical effects of dynamic cooling during pulsed laser treatment of port-wine stains.

Pulsed dye lasers permit effective treatment of port-wine stains without a significant risk of complications. However, epidermal damage manifested by weeping or crusting of the treated area have been reported in 48-83% of patients, and transient hyperpigmentation after treatment is observed in 10-57%. Theoretically, the epidermis can be protected from thermal damage with the use of the concept of selective epidermal cooling.