Efficacy of two different methods of cold air analgesia for pain relief in PDT of actinic keratoses of the head region - a randomized controlled comparison study.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective method for treating actinic keratosis (AK) with pain during illumination representing the major side effect. The efficacy of two different cooling methods for pain relief in PDT of AK in the head region was compared.

Methods: Randomized, assessor-blinded, half side comparison study in 20 patients with symmetrically distributed AK on the head.

Effectiveness and clinical predictors of drug survival in psoriasis patients receiving apremilast: A registry analysis.

Background: Little is known about the effectiveness and drug survival associated with apremilast under real-world conditions.

Objective: To investigate the influence of patient and disease characteristics on drug survival associated with apremilast and to elucidate clinical effectiveness with regard to the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) reduction.

Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, multicenter analysis from the Austrian Psoriasis Registry.

Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients With Early-Stage Mycosis Fungoides and the Effect of Oral Psoralen Plus UV-A (PUVA) Photochemotherapy on it.

Little is known about psychological discomfort and quality of life (QoL) in early stage mycosis fungoides (MF) and the effect of psoralen plus UV-A (PUVA) on it. To evaluate QoL, anxiety, and depression with validated instruments in early stage MF patients and whether PUVA treatment improves it. Patients with stage IA to IIA MF were treated with PUVA twice weekly for 12-24 weeks, followed by maintenance treatment or not, in a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Secukinumab Use in Patients with Moderate to Severe Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis in Real-World Setting in Europe: Baseline Data from SERENA Study.

Introduction: Secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that directly inhibits interleukin-17A, has demonstrated robust efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), with a rapid onset of action, sustained long-term clinical responses and a consistently favourable safety profile across phase 3 trials. Here, we report the clinical data at enrolment from SERENA, designed to investigate the real-world use of secukinumab across all three indications.

Methods: SERENA is an ongoing, longitudinal, observational study conducted at 438 sites across Europe in patients with moderate to severe plaque PsO, active PsA or active AS.

Evaluation of Low-Dose, Low-Frequency Oral Psoralen-UV-A Treatment With or Without Maintenance on Early-Stage Mycosis Fungoides: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Psoralen-UV-A (PUVA) photochemotherapy is standard first-line treatment for skin-limited, early-stage mycosis fungoides capable of producing high initial complete response (CR) rates. However, much remains unknown about PUVA's therapeutic mechanisms, optimal duration and frequency of treatment, dose escalation, or use as maintenance therapy.

Objectives: To evaluate low-dose, low-frequency PUVA, and whether maintenance treatment extends disease-free remission in patients with mycosis fungoides.

Oral ponesimod in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial.

Background: We assessed the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ponesimod, an oral, selective, reversible modulator of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1, in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Methods: Between Sept 22, 2010, and Oct 24, 2012, patients with psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores higher than 10 were enrolled into this multicentre double-blind, phase 2 study. They received 20 mg or 40 mg ponesimod or placebo once daily for 16 weeks.

Serum levels of glycoprotein Dickkopf-1 in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma: a prospective pilot study.

Background: Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) glycoprotein is an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt pathway. Recent studies have demonstrated elevated Dkk-1 serum levels in patients with diverse malignancies. In vitro studies with melanoma cell lines showed that loss of Dkk-1 expression may contribute to tumor progression.

Medium-dose is more effective than low-dose ultraviolet A1 phototherapy for localized scleroderma as shown by 20-MHz ultrasound assessment.

Background: Recent studies suggest that ultraviolet (UV) A1 phototherapy is an effective treatment for localized scleroderma (LS); however, the optimum UVA1 dose remains to be determined.

Objective: We sought to compare the immediate and long-term efficacy of low- versus medium-dose UVA1 phototherapy for plaque-type LS.

Methods: Three comparable plaques in 16 patients were treated with 20 J/cm2 UVA1, 70 J/cm2 UVA1, or no irradiation.

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica (Bazex's syndrome): association with liposarcoma.

Acrokeratosis paraneoplastica (Bazex's syndrome) is a rare obligate paraneoplastic dermatosis characterized by erythematosquamous lesions localized symmetrically at the acral sites. The condition almost exclusively affects Caucasian men older than 40 years. It is usually associated with primary malignant neoplasms of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Comparison of epidermal hydration and skin surface lipids in healthy individuals and in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Background: The water content of the stratum corneum and skin surface lipids are important factors in the appearance and function of the skin. A disruption of the balance between the two may lead to the clinical manifestation of dryness of skin in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Objective: The aim of our study was to examine the so-called dry skin of patients with atopic dermatitis using objective parameters.