Successful treatment of hydroxyurea-associated chronic leg ulcers associated with squamous cell carcinoma.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is an antineoplastic drug used in the treatment of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). HU is associated with cutaneous adverse effects, whereas severe complications such as leg ulcers and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are rare and only observed after long-term treatment. We herein report a patient with essential thrombocythemia (ET) treated chronically with HU, and who developed refractory bilateral leg ulcers complicated by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) over both heels.

Cutaneous manifestations of anti-angiogenic therapy in oncology: Review with focus on VEGF inhibitors.

The role of the VEGF signaling pathway in angiogenesis has been extensively investigated, and many new targeted anti-angiogenic drugs have evolved from this knowledge. The recent approval and introduction of these anti-neoplastic drugs has revolutionized the treatment of many types of cancers, but has also revealed numerous toxicities to the skin and its adnexae. Since these cutaneous side effects may have a significant impact on the physical, emotional and psychosocial health of patients, it is important for dermatologists and oncologists alike to be aware of the cutaneous complications of these drugs in order to properly diagnose and treat them.

Association between alopecia areata, psoriasis vulgaris, thyroid disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Although the association between alopecia areata (AA), psoriasis, and other autoimmune diseases has been well reported in the literature, an association with metabolic syndrome has not been reported. We present two young women with the combination of severe psoriasis, androgen excess, metabolic syndrome, thyroiditis, and AA. Both women ultimately progressed to treatment-resistant alopecia universalis.

Autoinflammatory skin disorders in inflammatory bowel diseases, pyoderma gangrenosum and Sweet's syndrome: a comprehensive review and disease classification criteria.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) and Sweet's syndrome (SS) are skin diseases usually presenting with recurrent ulcers and erythematous plaques, respectively. The accumulation of neutrophils in the skin, characteristic of these conditions, led to coin the term of neutrophilic dermatoses to define them. Recently, neutrophilic dermatoses have been included in the group of autoinflammatory diseases, which classically comprises genetically determined forms due to mutations of genes regulating the innate immune response.

Pyoderma gangrenosum, acne and suppurative hidradenitis syndrome following bowel bypass surgery.

The clinical triad of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), acne and suppurative hidradenitis (PASH) has recently been described as a new disease entity within the spectrum of autoinflammatory syndromes, which are an emerging group of inflammatory diseases distinct from autoimmune, allergic and infectious disorders. PASH syndrome is similar to PAPA (pyogenic arthritis, acne and PG), but it differs in lacking the associated arthritis and on a genetic basis. PAPA syndrome is caused by mutations in a gene involved in the regulation of innate immune responses, the PSTPIP1, while no mutations have been detected to date in patients with PASH syndrome.

Vulvar pyoderma gangrenosum with renal involvement.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis of unknown etiology which usually occurs over the lower extremities; however, unusual presentations such as that involving the genital region have been described. Extracutaneous involvement of PG in the form of sterile neutrophilic infiltrates in various organs has infrequently been reported. We hereby describe a case of PG that was limited to the vulvar and perianal area in a 37-year-old female, with associated renal involvement in the form of a slight increase in the serum creatinine, microhematuria of glomerular origin and proteinuria.

Livedoid vasculopathy in a patient with lupus anticoagulant and MTHFR mutation: treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin.

Livedoid vasculopathy is characterized by painful purpuric lesions on the extremities which frequently ulcerate and heal with atrophic scarring. For many years, livedoid vasculopathy has been considered to be a primary vasculitic process. However, there has been evidence considering livedoid vasculopathy as an occlusive vasculopathy due to a hypercoagulable state.

Renal venous thrombosis in a newborn with prothrombotic risk factors.

Renal venous thrombosis (RVT) is a rare but a well recognized entity in children and neonates. The clinical signs of neonatal RVT include hypertension, enlarged kidney(s), hematuria, renal insufficiency, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, or all. Persisting impairment of kidney function and hypertension are serious and common complications in patients with RVT.

Hypoxia-inducible factor in cancer angiogenesis: structure, regulation and clinical perspectives.

Tumor hypoxia is a common feature of many cancers. A master regulator of hypoxic response is the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). It functions as a master regulator of oxygen and undergoes conformational changes in response to varying oxygen concentrations.