Alopecia in patients treated with molecularly targeted anticancer therapies.

Background: The introduction of molecularly targeted anticancer therapies presents new challenges, among which dermatologic adverse events are noteworthy. Alopecia in particular is frequently reported, but the true incidence is not known.

Patients And Methods: We sought to ascertain the incidence and risk of developing alopecia during treatment with approved inhibitors of oncogenic pathways and molecules [anaplastic lymphoma kinase, breakpoint cluster region-abelson, B-rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma, Bruton's tyrosine kinase, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4, epidermal growth factor receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, Janus kinase, MAPK/ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) Kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, smoothened, vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, platelet derived growth factor receptor; proteasomes; CD20, CD30, CD52].

Phototherapy, photodynamic therapy and photophoresis in the treatment of connective-tissue diseases: a review.

Connective-tissue disorders, which include lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and dermatomyositis, are characterized by cutaneous manifestations that are sometimes resistant to conventional therapy. Light treatments, which include phototherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photopheresis, are routinely utilized in the treatment of dermatological conditions and may provide unique mechanisms of action in the treatment of these connective-tissue disorders. The objective of this study is to conduct a review of the literature that describes the use of phototherapy, PDT and photopheresis in the treatment of lupus erythematosus, morphoea/scleroderma and dermatomyositis.

Alopecia universalis successfully treated with adalimumab.

IMPORTANCE Alopecia universalis is an uncommon form of alopecia areata (AA) involving hair loss over the entire scalp and body and is often difficult to treat. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)inhibitors have been largely unsuccessful in treating AA and have been reported to induce or worsen AA in patients.We report herein a case of alopecia universalis successfully treated with adalimumab and discuss the possible mechanism.

Chemotherapy-induced hand-foot syndrome and nail changes: a review of clinical presentation, etiology, pathogenesis, and management.

Chemotherapy-induced hand-foot syndrome and nail changes are common complications of many classic chemotherapeutic agents and the newer molecular targeted therapies. They significantly impact patient quality of life, and frequently necessitate chemotherapy dose intensity modification or reduction. We aim to describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and current evidence-based treatment options for these entities.