Topical tacrolimus is more effective for treatment of vitiligo in patients of skin of color.

Background: Vitiligo vulgaris is a chronic autoimmune depigmenting disorder affecting individuals of all skin colors. Lesions are commonly noted in the periorificial face and over the upper and lower extremities in areas of friction. Although there have been many published reports of successful therapies for vitiligo, few have assessed differential response based on skin color.

Empowering targeted therapy: lessons from rituximab.

Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the B cell-specific protein CD20, has revolutionized lymphoma treatment by providing a highly effective form of therapy with relatively mild toxic side effects. Effective as a single agent against some forms of B cell lymphoma, rituximab also has a chemosensitizing effect, enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy against other forms of the disease. Although the mechanisms whereby rituximab achieves its effects remain incompletely understood, these seem to involve at least three distinct phenomena: (i) antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, (ii) complement-mediated cell lysis, and (iii) stimulation of apoptosis in target cells.

E-cadherin expression in endometrioid, papillary serous, and clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium.

Objective: To compare the frequency and pattern of E-cadherin expression in endometrioid, papillary serous, and clear cell carcinomas of the endometrium.

Methods: E-cadherin expression was examined in 76 endometrial carcinomas by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody to E-cadherin and was correlated with poor prognostic indicators such as depth of myometrial invasion, lymph node status, and intraperitoneal spread. The frequency of expression was compared between endometrioid, papillary serous, and clear cell carcinomas by the Fisher exact test.