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Summary Cytokines are highly potent biologically active proteins that play an essential role in intercellular communication. They are vital to the mediation and regulation of inflammatory and specific immune reactions as well as to nonimmunological processes. Several cytokines are already used for the treatment of malignant, inflammatory and infectious skin diseases. This in particular includes certain interleukins (ILs) and interferons (IFNs). Whereas some cytokine therapies are already approved and well established, such as IFN-α and IL-2 (approved in the USA) for melanoma, others are in the early stages of development and are used in explorative trials (e.g. IL-4 and IL-10 in the treatment of psoriasis). It is likely that some of the new approaches currently under investigation will actually lead to both the registration of new drugs for dermatological treatment, and to supplementation of existing therapeutic options. The aim of this review is to give an overview on the current state of cytokine therapy in dermatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of 83-year-old woman with a history of anorexia associated with abdominal pain and distension. Histopathological analysis showed positive focal tumor cells with metastatic disease caused by second primary melanoma. The patient died from multiorgan failure including diffuse peritoneal seeding and nodular and soft-tissue infiltration of the omentum and appendix based on her medical history of malignant melanoma on her back.

The article presents case studies of several patients who were treated with interferon-α 2. The two patients with melanoma have developed into trichomegaly of the eyelashes while the other patient with kaposi's sarcoma has developed hypertrichosis in the lower arms after the treatment. It explains that hypertrichosis and trichomegaly of the eyelashes could be side effects of IFN-α 2 treatment.