Targeting the Epigenome Reduces Keloid Fibroblast Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion.

Keloids are pathological fibroproliferative scars resulting from abnormal collagen deposition within and beyond the margins of the initial cutaneous insult. Keloids negatively impact QOL functionally and cosmetically, with current treatment modalities unsatisfactory. Recent studies indicate that epigenetic dysregulation is central to the development and progression of keloids.

Assessment of lipid and pigment content in suspicious melanocytic lesions to improve melanoma detection.

Melanoma is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer and the most frequent lethal malignancy diagnosed by dermatologists. Although there have been advances for predicting melanoma prognosis, there are few highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tools for clinically evaluating suspicious melanocytic lesions prior to biopsy. We have recently determined that alterations in cellular lipid and pigment content are associated with tumor progression and melanoma metastasis.