Update on melanoma epigenetics.

Purpose Of Review: Over the last years, our understanding in molecular biology of melanoma has grown significantly and many genetic alterations have been identified affecting melanoma pathogenesis. This growing evidence has led to the development of targeted therapies which are showing promising clinical results. In addition to genetic alterations, an increasing number of studies have recently demonstrated the role of epigenetics in melanoma development and progression.

Non-melanoma skin cancer treated with HDR Valencia applicator: clinical outcomes.

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) has played a significant role in treating non melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). High-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) approaches have a paramount relevance due to their adaptability, patient protection, and variable dose fractionation schedules. Several innovative applicators have been introduced to the brachytherapy community.

Antitumor cell-complex vaccines employing genetically modified tumor cells and fibroblasts.

The present study evaluates the immune response mediated by vaccination with cell complexes composed of irradiated B16 tumor cells and mouse fibroblasts genetically modified to produce GM-CSF. The animals were vaccinated with free B16 cells or cell complexes. We employed two gene plasmid constructions: one high producer (pMok) and a low producer (p2F).

Comparative antitumor effect of preventive versus therapeutic vaccines employing B16 melanoma cells genetically modified to express GM-CSF and B7.2 in a murine model.

Unlabelled: Cancer vaccines have always been a subject of gene therapy research. One of the most successful approaches has been working with genetically modified tumor cells. In this study, we describe our approach to achieving an immune response against a murine melanoma model, employing B16 tumor cells expressing GM-CSF and B7.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization for the differential diagnosis between Spitz naevus and spitzoid melanoma.

Aims: The differential diagnosis between Spitz naevus and spitzoid melanoma can be extremely difficult, or even impossible. In recent years, many attempts have been made to find specific histopathological or immunohistochemical markers, although none has proved successful. Because the prognosis and treatment of each are very different, it is important to distinguish between these entities.

Characteristics of spitzoid melanoma and clues for differential diagnosis with spitz nevus.

The different features of spitzoid melanoma are not well characterized in the literature, and the lesion often has to be described in comparison with Spitz nevus. We evaluated the histopathological appearance of spitzoid melanoma by reviewing all spitzoid melanomas treated at our hospital and all referrals from 1998 to 2010. The final study sample comprised 18 cases, 11 from our institution and 7 referrals from other centers.

Antigens and cytokine genes in antitumor vaccines: the importance of the temporal delivery sequence in antitumor signals.

Studies against cancer, including clinical trials, have shown that a correct activation of the immune system can lead to tumor rejection whereas incorrect signaling results in no positive effects or even anergy. We have worked assuming that two signals, GM-CSF (granulocyte and macrophage colony-stimulating factor) and tumor antigens are necessary to mediate an antitumor effective response. To study which is the ideal temporal sequence for their administration, we have used a murine model of antimelanoma vaccine employing whole B16 tumor cells or their membrane protein antigens (TMPs) in combination with gm-csf transfer before or after the antigen delivery.

[Analysis of the COL1A1-PDGFB fusion gene in a case of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with a fibrosarcoma component].

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an infrequent tumor of intermediate malignancy, with little tendency to develop metastases but with a high rate of local recurrence. Cytogenetically, DFSP is characterized by a reciprocal translocation, t(17;22)(q22;q13), which is a conditioning factor in the fusion of the collagen type I alpha I gene (COL1A1) in chromosome 17q with the platelet-derived growth factor beta chain gene (PDGFB) in chromosome 22q. The fusion of these genes is variable, involving one of the 51 exons of the COL1A1 gene and exon 2 of the PDGFB gene.

[Perianal Bowen's disease treated with imiquimod].

Bowen's disease is a special form of squamous cell carcinoma in situ that usually develops in photoexposed areas of skin. The treatment of choice is surgery. Less frequently, it may appear in other locations such as the nails, glans penis, intertriginous areas and the perianal region, where conventional treatment may be complicated.

Tissue and tumor mosaicism of the myotonin protein kinase gene trinucleotide repeat in a patient with multiple basal cell carcinomas associated with myotonic dystrophy.

We describe the third case (to our knowledge) of multiple basal cell carcinoma associated with myotonic dystrophy and carry out a genetic study of the tumor comparing it with healthy skin. We consider that our results show that this association might be not a purely random phenomenon and that the particular genetic characteristics of this disorder might have a role in the pathogenesis of the tumor.

Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis with plaques and arthritis.

Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) is a histopathological disorder characterised by an infiltration of the reticular dermis with a predominance of interstitial and palisadic histiocytes with a few areas of degenerating collagen bundles associated with a variable number of polynuclear neutrophils and eosinophils. There are several clinical conditions with a pattern of IGD. The linear form associated with arthritis was the first variety described.

Porokeratosis of the lower lip.

The porokeratoses are defined as specific disorders of keratinization that are histologically characterised by the presence of a dense, parakeratotic column, well-circumscribed from the rest of the corneocytes, known as the cornoid lamella. In this article, we report two cases of porokeratosis of the lower lip, drawing attention to the unusual site. We also emphasize the clinical appearance of these lesions, which may easily be misdiagnosed if not examined correctly.