Rituximab therapy in patients with bullous pemphigoid: A retrospective study of 20 patients.

Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disease requiring treatment with immunosuppressive medications; however, finding a therapy that has a sustained durable response and an acceptable side effect profile has been challenging.

Objective: Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with BP treated with rituximab therapy at a single academic center.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 20 patients who received at least 1 dose of rituximab therapy, either as initial therapy for severe BP or as therapy for recalcitrant disease after having failed conventional immunotherapies.

Cross-species identification of genomic drivers of squamous cell carcinoma development across preneoplastic intermediates.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC) comprises 15-20% of all skin cancers, accounting for over 700,000 cases in USA annually. Most cuSCC arise in association with a distinct precancerous lesion, the actinic keratosis (AK). To identify potential targets for molecularly targeted chemoprevention, here we perform integrated cross-species genomic analysis of cuSCC development through the preneoplastic AK stage using matched human samples and a solar ultraviolet radiation-driven Hairless mouse model.

Long-Term Complete Responses to Combination Therapies and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants in Patients With Sézary Syndrome.

Introduction: Sézary syndrome (SS) is a rare leukemic variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). It presents with 80% erythroderma of the body, the presence of > 1000 Sézary cells in the peripheral blood, lymphadenopathy, and pruritus. Complete remission or response (CR) is rare in patients with SS.