New insights into associated co-morbidities in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides).

Studies of associated cancer in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) have focused primarily on secondary cancers in North American and European populations. This study investigated the association between MF and malignancies, anxiety and depression in the Israeli population. Data on Israeli patients with MF and age- and gender-matched controls were collected from a database of population- based cohort (683 patients; 1,700 controls) and an institution- based cohort (343 patients; 846 controls) and analysed by univariate and multivariate methods.

Topical chemotherapy in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: positive results of a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial testing the efficacy and safety of a novel mechlorethamine, 0.02%, gel in mycosis fungoides.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel mechlorethamine hydrochloride, 0.02%, gel in mycosis fungoides. DESIGN Randomized, controlled, observer-blinded, multicenter trial comparing mechlorethamine, 0.

Process and outcomes of a skin protection intervention for young adults.

Efforts to reduce skin cancer risk behaviors using appearance-oriented interventions (e.g. ultraviolet (UV) light photos showing skin damage) or motivational interviewing (MI) have shown promise in recent trials.

A retrospective analysis of the Dermatology Foundation's Career Development Award Program.

Background: To provide research support that develops and retains leaders, educators, and investigators in dermatology and cutaneous biology, the Dermatology Foundation (DF) has designed and implemented a comprehensive Career Development Award (CDA) Program.

Objective: To assess the impact of the DF's 3-year CDA, a comprehensive survey of recipients who received this mechanism of support between 1990 and 2007 was performed.

Methods: Of 196 individuals receiving a DF CDA, 181 were identified and asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire concerning their career status, employment history, professional rank, and record of independent research funding (private foundation, federal, other).

Beliefs and intentions for skin protection and UV exposure in young adults.

Objective: To evaluate Fishbein's integrative model in predicting young adults' skin protection, sun exposure, and indoor tanning intentions.

Methods: Two hundred twelve participants completed an online survey.

Results: Damage distress, self-efficacy, and perceived control accounted for 34% of the variance in skin protection intentions.

Skin surveillance intentions among family members of patients with melanoma.

Background: First-degree relatives of individuals diagnosed with melanoma are at increased disease risk. However, many first-degree relatives do not receive a periodic total cutaneous examination from a health care provider or engage in regular skin self-examination. The goal of this study was to identify correlates of total cutaneous examination and skin self-examination intentions among first-degree relatives of melanoma patients, thus providing insight on factors that should be targeted in future intervention research.

Clinical end points and response criteria in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: a consensus statement of the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas, the United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium, and the Cutaneous Lymphoma Task Force of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), the major forms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, have unique characteristics that distinguish them from other types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Clinical trials in MF/SS have suffered from a lack of standardization in evaluation, staging, assessment, end points, and response criteria. Recently defined criteria for the diagnosis of early MF, guidelines for initial evaluation, and revised staging and classification criteria for MF and SS now offer the potential for uniform staging of patients enrolled in clinical trials for MF/SS.

Sun protection and sunbathing practices among at-risk family members of patients with melanoma.

Background: Despite the increased level of familial risk, research indicates that family members of patients with melanoma engage in relatively low levels of sun protection and high levels of sun exposure. The goal of this study was to evaluate a broad range of demographic, medical, psychological, knowledge, and social influence correlates of sun protection and sunbathing practices among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of melanoma patients and to determine if correlates of sun protection and sunbathing were unique.

Methods: We evaluated correlates of sun protection and sunbathing among FDRs of melanoma patients who were at increased disease risk due to low compliance with sun protection and skin surveillance behaviors.

Tailored versus generic interventions for skin cancer risk reduction for family members of melanoma patients.

Background: Improving strategies for risk reduction among family members of patients with melanoma may reduce their risk for melanoma.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of two behavioral interventions designed to improve the frequency of total cutaneous skin examination by a health provider (TCE), skin self-examination (SSE), and sun protection among first degree relatives of patients with melanoma; and to evaluate whether increased intentions, increased benefits, decreased barriers, and improved sunscreen self-efficacy mediated the effects of the tailored intervention, as compared with the generic intervention on TCE, SSE, or sun protection.

Methods: Four hundred forty-three family members (56 parents, 248 siblings, 239 children) who were nonadherent with these practices were randomly assigned to either a generic (N = 218) or a tailored intervention (N = 225) which included 3 print mailings and 1 telephone session.

Cytoskeleton alterations in melanoma: aberrant expression of cortactin, an actin-binding adapter protein, correlates with melanocytic tumor progression.

Cortactin is a multidomain actin-binding protein important for the functions of cytoskeleton by regulating cortical actin dynamics. It is involved in a diverse array of basic cellular functions. Tumorigenesis and tumor progression involves alterations in actin cytoskeleton proteins.

Cutaneous precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in 2 adult patients: clinicopathologic and molecular cytogenetic studies with a review of the literature.

Background: Precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-LBL) is an uncommon high-grade neoplasm of immature B cells. In contrast to the more common lymphoblastic lymphoma of T-cell lineage, B-LBL can be an extranodal disease, with a propensity to involve skin and bone. Most reported cases of B-LBL in the skin, a rarity in adults, are manifestations of existing systemic disease.

A new central scaffold for metastasis: parsing HEF1/Cas-L/NEDD9.

Greater understanding of metastasis is required to improve cancer treatment outcomes. Recently, changes in expression of the scaffold protein HEF1/CAS-L/NEDD9 were found to be a potent prometastatic stimulus in melanoma and other cancers. Mechanistic studies suggest diverse cellular roles of HEF1 and highlight its importance in the response to extracellular cues that drive invasion and metastasis.

Clinicopathologic correlation of cutaneous metastases: experience from a cancer center.

Objective: To analyze the clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of skin metastases.

Design: Retrospective analysis (January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2005).

Setting: Comprehensive cancer center.

HEI10 negatively regulates cell invasion by inhibiting cyclin B/Cdk1 and other promotility proteins.

Human enhancer of invasion, clone 10 (HEI10) (CCNB1IP1) was first described as a RING-finger family ubiquitin ligase that regulates cell cycle by interacting with cyclin B and promoting its degradation. Subsequently, other studies suggested specific upregulation of HEI10 in metastatic melanoma and demonstrated direct interaction between HEI10 and the tumor suppressor Merlin, encoded by the neurofibromatosis 2 gene. These and other results led us to hypothesize that HEI10 also influences the processes of cell migration and metastasis.

Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma responds to rituximab: a report of five cases and a review of the literature.

Optimal treatment of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) is yet to be established. We treated five patients, each with either extensive lesions, severe comorbidities or who refused treatment with radiation therapy, with rituximab given as a single agent for four weekly intravenous infusions of 375 mg/m2. Maintenance therapy, if initiated, was given at 375 mg/m2 once every 2 - 3 months.