A national survey comparing practice patterns and residency training satisfaction for categorical dermatology versus combined internal medicine and dermatology trained physicians.

Combined internal medicine and dermatology (med-derm) training programs were created to advance complex medical dermatology and inpatient dermatology care. A prior study demonstrated that compared to categorical dermatology residents, med-derm residents had less program satisfaction, yet indicated a stronger desire to pursue careers in academia. No follow-up data on practice patterns after training has been reported.

Development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma after prolonged exposure to pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and hand-foot syndrome: a newly recognized toxicity.

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) can be administered for prolonged periods with minimal toxicity. The risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with this therapy has not been reported. We describe cutaneous SCC of the plantar foot in two patients exposed to high doses of PLD.

Skin-Directed Therapies in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.

Early stage mycosis fungoides represents the most common clinical presentation of cutaneous lymphoma, with skin-directed therapies long established in its treatment. These therapies continue to change as new treatment regimens emerge. Other skin-directed treatments include light and radiation therapy.

Accuracy of teledermatology for pigmented neoplasms.

Background: Accurate diagnosis and management of pigmented lesions is critical because of the morbidity and mortality associated with melanoma.

Objective: We sought to compare accuracy of store-and-forward teledermatology for pigmented neoplasms with standard, in-person clinic dermatology.

Methods: We conducted a repeated measures equivalence trial involving veterans with pigmented skin neoplasms.

Accuracy of teledermatology for nonpigmented neoplasms.

Background: Studies of teledermatology utilizing the standard reference of histopathology are lacking.

Objective: To compare accuracy of store-and-forward teledermatology for non-pigmented neoplasms with in-person dermatology.

Methods: This study was a repeated-measures equivalence trial involving veterans with non-pigmented skin neoplasms.

Black-spot poison ivy.

In black-spot poison ivy dermatitis, a black lacquerlike substance forms on the skin when poison ivy resin is exposed to air. Although the Toxicodendron group of plants is estimated to be the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis in the United States, black-spot poison ivy dermatitis is relatively rare.

Coordinate stabilization of growth-regulatory transcripts in T cell malignancies.

We used microarray technology to compare mRNA decay rates of approximately 7000 transcripts in normal purified human T lymphocytes or the malignant T cell lines Jurkat and H9 following transcriptional arrest with actinomycin D. We found that over 2000 transcripts were expressed at abnormal levels in malignant T cells, including approximately 100 transcripts that were overexpressed and exhibited abnormally stable mRNA. Seventeen transcripts that encoded components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system were coordinately overexpressed and stabilized in both malignant cell lines.

New biologic therapies for psoriatic disease.

Psoriasis is a common cutaneous disease that can have a profound effect on an individual's life. New biologic drugs--proteins that are synthesized using recombinant DNA technology to mimic naturally occurring molecules and that selectively target the immune system--have changed the paradigm for treating this disease. We review 4 biologic drugs that are either currently FDA approved or in phase 3 studies: Alefacept (Amevive) and efalizumab (Raptiva), which are T-cell modulators; etanercept (Enbrel), a soluble TNF receptor; and infliximab (Remicade), an anti-TNF monoclonal antibody.