Certolizumab pegol effectiveness, survival and safety in patients with psoriasis: A multicenter retrospective analysis in daily clinical practice by the Spanish Psoriasis Group.

Background: Certolizumab is an Fc-free PEGylated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) inhibitor recently approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, although there is limited real-world evidence on the effectiveness and safety in patients with plaque psoriasis treated with certolizumab. The objective of this article is to determine the effectiveness, drug survival, and safety, including pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation, of certolizumab in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis under real-world conditions.

Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter, observational study performed in 15 hospitals in Spain.

Association between several immune response-related genes and the effectiveness of biological treatments in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Biological therapies are safer and more effective against psoriasis than conventional treatments. Even so, 30-50% of psoriatic patients show an inadequate response, which is associated with individual genetic heterogeneity. Pharmacogenetic studies have identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as possible predictive and prognostic biomarkers for psoriasis treatment response.

Exploring the applicability of a lesion segmentation method on [F]fluorothymidine PET/CT images in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Background And Purpose: The determination of the total metabolic tumour volume based on [F]fluorothymidine ([F]FLT) PET/CT images in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has a potential clinical value for detecting early relapse in this type of heterogeneous lymphoproliferative tumours. Tumour segmentation is a key step in this process. For this purpose, our objective was to determine a segmentation threshold of [F]FLT PET/CT images, based on a reference tissue uptake, on a cohort of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that have been scanned at different stages of the treatment.

Quality of Life in Long-Term Renal Transplant Patients: A Controversial Subject.

Background: Kidney transplant (KT) is the best technique for renal replacement treatment in terms of survival, costs, and quality of life. Several factors have been related to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at different times after KT. The objectives of the study were to quantify the HRQOL in a prevalent cohort of KT patients and to describe the variables that influenced HRQOL.

Cost of Traveling to Follow-up Appointments at Kidney Transplant Clinics.

Background: The number of kidney transplant (KT) recipients has increased in recent years, saturating kidney transplant visits at transplant centers (TCs). Furthermore, some patients live far from TCs, which adds displacement costs to their expenses. To solve these problems, joint follow-up of KT recipients has been initiated at TCs and referral hospitals.

The effect of age on the acquisition and selection of cancer driver mutations in sun-exposed normal skin.

Background: The accumulation of somatic mutations contributes to ageing and cancer. Sunlight is the principal aetiological factor associated with skin cancer development. However, genetic and phenotypic factors also contribute to skin cancer risk.

Genetic variants associated with skin photosensitivity in a southern European population from Spain.

Background/purpose: Recent GWAS studies, mostly performed in populations of North European origin, have identified the genetic loci associated with pigmentation, sun sensitivity, freckling and skin cancer susceptibility. Here, we aimed at addressing the genetic determinants of sunlight sensitivity in Spain, a southern European population.

Methods: Nine SNPs located in 8 pigmentation-related genes (IRF4, TYR, ASP, HERC2, OCA2, BNC2, SLC24A4 and SLC45A2) were genotyped in 456 Spaniards.

Dermoscopic Findings in Trichoblastoma.

Trichoblastoma is a benign cutaneous neoplasm that is clinically and histologically similar to basal cell carcinoma. We report the dermoscopic features seen in 2 cases of facial trichoblastoma. One case presented with very short, delicate, scarcely branching telangiectases against a pearly white background.

[Recurrent pyogenic granuloma].

The appearance of multiple satellite lesions is a rare complication of the treatment of a primary pyogenic granuloma lesion. We report 5 cases of recurrent pyogenic granuloma in patients aged between 4 and 31 years. The lesions resolved spontaneously after 1 to 9 months.

A customized pigmentation SNP array identifies a novel SNP associated with melanoma predisposition in the SLC45A2 gene.

As the incidence of Malignant Melanoma (MM) reflects an interaction between skin colour and UV exposure, variations in genes implicated in pigmentation and tanning response to UV may be associated with susceptibility to MM. In this study, 363 SNPs in 65 gene regions belonging to the pigmentation pathway have been successfully genotyped using a SNP array. Five hundred and ninety MM cases and 507 controls were analyzed in a discovery phase I.

Efficacy of etanercept in psoriatic patients previously treated with infliximab.

Background: There are few data to enable us to ascertain whether switching to another systemic agent is useful in patients with psoriasis who have not responded favorably to a first systemic treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis previously treated with infliximab.

Methods: We analyzed data from patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and a poor primary or secondary response to infliximab, and who were later treated with etanercept.

[Adverse cutaneous reactions to erlotinib].

Introduction: Erlotinib is an inhibitor of human epidermal growth factor approved for treating non-small cell lung cancer. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the prevalence of adverse cutaneous reactions caused by erlotinib and assess the management of such effects.

Methods: Eleven patients with lung cancer and 1 with ovarian cancer received erlotinib at a dose of 150 mg/d.

[Analysis of lymphocyte populations in psoriatic plaques following inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha with etanercept].

Introduction: Psoriasis is a disease with a strong immunological component in which there is a predominant T helper 1 cell-mediated immune response. Etanercept, a receptor for tumor necrosis factor a that blocks its action, is a new drug with proven efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to assess the histological response to etanercept by analyzing the lymphocyte populations in psoriatic plaques.

Treatment of psoriasis with adalimumab.

Background: Adalimumab is an anti-tumour necrosis factor agent of use in psoriatic arthritis.

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in patients with plaque psoriasis unresponsive to previous therapies.

Methods: We present nine patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthropathy treated with adalimumab, including a woman with a history of breast cancer and a man with hepatitis C virus-related liver disease.

Reticular telangiectatic erythema associated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Reticular telangiectatic erythema (RTE) is a skin reaction associated with implantable cardiac devices (ie, pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators). We present a patient who developed an erythematous patch over the implantable cardioverter defibrillator site. We discuss the clinical features, histologic findings, and patch testing of this entity.