Publications by authors named "Vakirlis E"
Article Synopsis
- * A study in Greece involved 184 adults, revealing that many suffer from additional issues like obesity and allergic comorbidities, with the majority receiving specific treatment for their condition.
- * Key findings included high rates of pain, severe itching, and sleep disturbances, with patients reporting substantial reductions in work productivity and overall well-being.
Article Synopsis
- * A thorough literature review identified 12 studies (10 on dupilumab, 2 on JAK inhibitors) and evaluated their effects on skin barrier metrics like transepidermal water loss and hydration, with a total of 416 participants across various study designs.
- * Results showed that dupilumab significantly reduced transepidermal water loss and improved skin hydration, highlighting the effectiveness of IL-4/IL-13 inhibitors, while the data on JAK inhibitors is limited, suggesting further research is needed
Article Synopsis
- Skin is the largest organ in the body and serves essential functions like protection, temperature regulation, sensation, and immune defense.
- Its development begins in the embryonic stage, regulated by various molecular signals that guide the formation of the epidermis, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind skin development and disease can lead to new targeted therapies and personalized treatments for skin disorders.
Article Synopsis
- - Skin stem cells (SCs) are essential for maintaining and regenerating skin tissue, with different types located in various skin regions like the epidermis and sweat glands.
- - Their development begins during embryogenesis from multipotent SCs, and they remain ready to respond to skin repair needs throughout adulthood, influenced by molecular cues for quiescence, self-renewal, and differentiation.
- - Disruptions in the balance of these cues can lead to issues like skin cancer and poor wound healing, prompting research into the molecular mechanisms behind SC behavior for potential regenerative medicine applications.
Article Synopsis
- Melanoma metastasis significantly lowers survival rates, highlighting the need for more predictive factors beyond just Breslow thickness and ulceration in determining tumor aggressiveness.
- A comprehensive literature review included 143 studies focusing on various clinical, histopathological, and molecular predictors that influence the likelihood of distant metastasis (DM) and the duration without it (DMFS).
- Key findings indicated that males, lesions on the head and neck, and specific melanoma subtypes (like nodular) were associated with a higher risk of DM, while factors such as tumor regression were linked to a lower risk. *
Interleukin antagonists for atopic dermatitis: a new era of therapy.
Expert Opin Investig Drugs
June 2024
Article Synopsis
- Recent advances in understanding the immunopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) have led to the development of new immune-based therapies, particularly interleukin (IL) antagonists like dupilumab and tralokinumab, which are now approved for use in Europe.
- This review examines the role of various interleukins in AD's development and assesses the efficacy and safety of newer and investigational IL-antagonists for treating moderate-to-severe forms of the condition.
- Although current IL-4 and IL-13 inhibitors show promise for quick flare control and long-term relief, more research is needed on additional IL-inhibitors and real-world effectiveness, alongside establishing predictive biomarkers for personalized treatment plans.
Article Synopsis
- * Recent research suggests that starting systemic treatments early might significantly improve AD management, potentially altering the disease's progression and improving patients' overall health outcomes.
- * By addressing itching at its source, early systemic intervention can reduce systemic inflammation, prevent complications, and lessen the mental and emotional toll of the disease, paving the way for better long-term control strategies for patients.
Article Synopsis
- Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) significantly impacts women of childbearing age, leading to lower life-quality, social stigma, and concerns about family planning and sexual health.
- A study involving 96 women revealed that a large percentage experience sexual impairment, worry about HS's effects on pregnancy, and lack sufficient support and information about their condition.
- The findings suggest a need for better screening of life-quality issues and multidisciplinary treatment approaches for women affected by HS, especially during pregnancy and postpartum.
Photodynamic Therapy for Field Cancerization in the Skin: Where Do We Stand?
Dermatol Pract Concept
October 2023
Article Synopsis
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment option for actinic keratoses (AKs) and field-cancerized skin, utilizing various topical photosensitizers and innovative light delivery methods for improved results.
- The review highlights the advantages of PDT over other treatments in terms of cosmetic outcomes and patient satisfaction, although it also notes challenges like pain and longer treatment times.
- New approaches, including using daylight as a light source and combination therapies, show promise for enhancing the effectiveness of PDT, particularly for high-risk patients.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates shiny white structures (SWS) seen under a dermatoscope in benign skin tumors and relates them to previously noted characteristics in malignant tumors.
- Out of 2,420 benign tumors assessed, 357 (14.8%) displayed SWS, with the highest occurrences found in pyogenic granuloma, angioma, and adnexal tumors.
- The research concludes that SWS can appear in various benign tumors and should not automatically be viewed as signs of cancer.
Poor correlation between diameter and Breslow thickness of melanoma.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol
January 2024
Alport syndrome (AS) is a hereditary progressive glomerular disease associated with sensorineural hearing loss and ocular abnormalities. It is attributed to the altered structure and the subsequent dysfunction of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) due to the mutated type IV collagen a3/a4/a5 chains. It may emerge either as an X-linked disease, the most common, or as an autosomal disease, both recessive and dominant.
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- The study focused on the effectiveness of a new emollient formulation (Lipikar baume AP+M) designed to improve skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and xerosis, which cause discomfort and reduce quality of life in patients.
- Conducted with 1,399 adults over two months, the research included clinical assessments and questionnaires assessing the treatment's impact on skin symptoms and overall quality of life.
- Results showed over 90% of patients experienced significant improvement in skin conditions, with an 82.6% enhancement in quality of life reported after two months of using the formulation.
Article Synopsis
- * A systematic review analyzed data from six studies involving 133 patients treated with metformin for HS, mostly featuring overweight or obese women in their thirties.
- * Results showed that while many patients experienced improvements, outcomes varied; metformin was generally well tolerated with only mild side effects, suggesting more rigorous trials against placebo could be valuable.
Article Synopsis
- - Sebaceous neoplasms are tumors that mainly occur on the face and neck, often being benign, but rare malignant forms can occur; they have a connection to Muir-Torre Syndrome.
- - Patients with suspected Muir-Torre Syndrome should have their tumors removed for further examination, including histopathology and genetic testing.
- - The review discusses various aspects of sebaceous tumors—including their clinical features, management strategies, and the significance of Muir-Torre Syndrome in patients with multiple tumors.
Article Synopsis
- Tight junctions (TJs) are proteins that control the permeability of the skin, and this review examines their significance in atopic dermatitis (AD) and potential treatment approaches.
- The authors reviewed 55 studies from between 2009 and 2022, highlighting that impaired TJs can lead to increased skin infections and worsened AD symptoms, linked to decreased levels of claudin proteins.
- The research suggests that targeting and improving TJ function could lead to better treatments for AD by enhancing the skin's barrier properties and reducing inflammation.
Article Synopsis
- Water is crucial for cellular functions and helps protect the skin from dehydration, making hydration important for skin health, especially in children with atopic dermatitis (AD), a condition characterized by dry and inflamed skin.
- The paper explores whether increasing water intake improves skin hydration and barrier function in children with AD, while emphasizing that topical treatments are currently the first-line approach to managing dry skin.
- There remains ongoing debate about the effectiveness of oral hydration on skin dryness and disease severity in AD, highlighting the need for more research to determine optimal water intake levels and the potential benefits of different types of water.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines the management of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that has been incompletely excised, highlighting different treatment approaches and their effectiveness in a tertiary dermatology center in Northern Greece.
- Researchers analyzed 84 patients with incompletely excised BCC over a 5-year period and categorized them into three groups: immediate re-excision, watchful waiting, and non-surgical treatments.
- Results showed that re-excision resulted in residual tumor presence in over half of the cases and clinical recurrence occurred in 16.7% of patients, suggesting that the management strategy chosen can significantly impact outcomes.