Somatic mutations in kinetochore gene KNSTRN are associated with basal proliferating actinic keratoses and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Mutations in kinetochore gene KNSTRN accelerate the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and may correlate with different histological classifications of actinic keratosis (AKs).

Objective: To determine KNSTRN gene mutation frequency in healthy skin (HS), actinically damaged skin (ADS), in AKs with different histomorphological gradings and invasive SCCs.

Methods: All samples were histologically evaluated.

Evaluation of two histological classifications for actinic keratoses - PRO classification scored highest inter-rater reliability.

Background: Actinic keratoses (AKs) can histologically be classified by the extent of atypical keratinocytes throughout the epidermis or their pattern of basal proliferation. Currently, no data on the inter-rater reliability of both scores is available.

Objective: To evaluate the inter-rater reliability of the two classification schemes; histological grade (AK I-III) and basal proliferation (PRO I-III).

Daylight photodynamic therapy versus cryosurgery for the treatment and prophylaxis of actinic keratoses of the face - protocol of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, two-armed study.

Background: Photodynamic therapy with daylight (DL-PDT) is efficacious in treating actinic keratosis (AK), but the efficacy of field-directed, repetitive DL-PDT for the treatment and prophylaxis of AK in photodamaged facial skin has not yet been investigated.

Methods/design: In this multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, two-armed, observer-blinded trial, patients with a minimum of 5 mild-to-moderate AK lesions on photodamaged facial skin are randomly allocated to two treatment groups: DL-PDT with methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) and cryosurgery. In the DL-PDT group (experimental group), 5 treatments of the entire face are conducted over the course of 18 months.

Photodynamic therapy leads to significant improvement of actinic keratosis area and severity index (AKASI).

Background: Actinic keratosis area and severity index (AKASI) is a new quantitative tool for assessing AK severity on the head and can be used to monitor outcomes of different therapies. The aim of this study was to determine treatment outcomes of AK applying AKASI three months after conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who have undergone PDT on the head and had a documented AKASI evaluation prior to PDT and at follow-up visits.

Actinic keratoses show variable histological basal growth patterns - a proposed classification adjustment.

Background: Common histological classification schemes of actinic keratoses (AK) do not evaluate growth patterns at basal epidermal aspects of AK. Until now, the importance of basal epidermal growth patterns of AK has not been studied.

Objective: To investigate the extent of atypical keratinocytes throughout the epidermis and variation in basal growth patterns of AK.

Structured Expert Consensus on Actinic Keratosis: Treatment Algorithm Focusing on Daylight PDT.

Background: A practical and up-to-date consensus among experts is paramount to further improve patient care in actinic keratosis (AK).

Objectives: To develop a structured consensus statement on the diagnosis, classification, and practical management of AK based on up-to-date information.

Methods: A systematic review of AK clinical guidelines was conducted.