Search

The body temperature of lizards is strongly influenced by the thermal quality of microhabitats, exploiting the favourable environmental temperatures, and avoiding exposure to extreme thermal conditions. For these reasons, reptile populations are considered to be especially vulnerable to changes in environmental temperatures produced by climate change. Here, we study the thermal physiology of the critically endangered Anelo Sand Dunes Lizard (Liolaemus cuyumhue Avila, Morando, Perez and Sites, 2009). We hypothesise that (i) there is a thermal coadaptation between optimal temperature for locomotor performance of L. cuyumhue and its thermal preference; (ii) L. cuyumhue lives in an environment with low thermal quality; and (iii) a rise in environmental temperatures due to global warming will impose a decrement in locomotor speed represented by lower warming tolerance and narrower thermal safety margins, increasing their already high vulnerability. We recorded field body temperatures ([T.sub.b]), preferred body temperatures ([T.sub.pref]), the operative temperature ([T.sub.e]), and the thermal sensitivity of locomotion at different body temperatures. Our results indicate that this lizard is not currently under environmental stress or exceeding its thermal limits, but that it is thermoregulating below [T.sub.pref] to avoid overheating, and that an increase in environmental temperature higher than 3.5 [degrees]C will strongly affect the use of microhabitats with direct sun exposure. Key words: climate change, vulnerable, Liolaemus cuyumhue, Anelo Sand Dunes Lizard, thermal sensitivity, locomotion, optimal temperature. La temperature du corps des reptiles est fortement influencee par la qualite thermique des microhabitats, l'exploitation de temperatures ambiantes favorables et l'evitement de conditions thermiques extremes. Pour ces raisons, les populations de reptiles sont considerees etre particulierement vulnerables aux variations des temperatures ambiantes decoulant des changements climatiques. Nous etudions la physiologie thermique d'une espece de lezard en danger critique, Liolaemus cuyumhue Avila, Morando, Perez et Sites, 2009. Nous postulons que (i) il y a coadaptation thermique entre la tem-perature optimale pour la performance locomotrice de L. cuyumhue et sa temperature de predilection, (ii) L. cuyumhue vit dans un milieu de mauvaise qualite thermique et (iii) une hausse des temperatures ambiantes causee par le rechauffement planetaire entraînera une baisse de la vitesse de locomotion representee par une tolerance plus faible au rechauffement et des plages de securite thermiques plus etroites, rehaussant la vulnerabilite deja elevee de l'espece. Nous avons enregistre la temperature du corps sur le terrain ([T.sub.b]), les temperatures du corps de predilection ([T.sub.pref]), la temperature operative ([T.sub.e]) et la sensibilite thermique de la locomotion a differentes temperatures du corps. Nos resultats indiquent que ce lezard n'est pre-sentement pas assujetti a un stress environnemental et que ses limites thermiques ne sont pas depassees, mais qu'il fait preuve de thermoregulation pour se maintenir a des temperatures inferieures a sa [T.sub.pref] afin d'eviter la surchauffe, et qu'une hausse de plus de 3,5 [degre]C des temperatures ambiantes aura une forte incidence sur l'utilisation de microhabitats caracterises par une exposition directe au soleil. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : changement climatique, vulnerable, Liolaemus cuyumhue, lezard, sensibilite thermique, locomotion, temperature optimale., Introduction Ectotherms are not capable of producing and using metabolic heat for thermoregulation, and thus regulate their body temperature by behaviourally exploiting thermal resources (Bogert 1959). Through behavioural thermoregulation, ectotherms [...]

Background: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) effectively controls skin metastases from cutaneous melanoma. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in melanoma patients pre−/post‐ECT and its effect on treatment outcome. Methods: The analysis included prospective data from the International Network for Sharing Practices of ECT register. Following the Standard Operating Procedures, patients received intravenous or intratumoural bleomycin (15 000 IU/m2; 1000 IU mL/cm3) followed by 100‐microsecond, 1000‐V/cm electric pulses. Endpoints included response (RECIST v3.0), local progression‐free survival (LPFS), toxicity (CTCAE v5.0), and patient‐reported HRQoL at baseline, one, two, four, and 10 months (EuroQol [EQ‐5D‐3L], including 5‐item utility score [EQ‐5D] and visual analogue scale for self‐reported health state [EQ‐VAS]). Comparisons within/between subgroups were made for statistical and minimal important differences (MID). HRQoL scores and clinical covariates were analysed to identify predictors of response in multivariate analysis. Results: Median tumour size was 2 cm. Complete response rate, G3 toxicity, and one‐year LPFS in 378 patients (76% of the melanoma cohort) were 47%, 5%, and 78%, respectively. At baseline, age‐paired HRQoL did not differ from the general European population. Following ECT, both EQ‐5D and EQ‐VAS scores remained within MID boundaries, particularly among complete responders. A subanalysis of the EQ‐5D items revealed a statistically significant deterioration in pain/discomfort and mobility (restored within 4 months), and self‐care and usual activities (throughout the follow‐up) domains. Concomitant checkpoint inhibition correlated with better EQ‐5D and EQ‐VAS trajectories. Baseline EQ‐5D was the exclusive independent predictor for complete response (RR 14.76, P = 0.001). Conclusions: HRQoL of ECT melanoma patients parallels the general population and is preserved in complete responders. Transient deterioration in pain/discomfort and mobility and persistent decline in self‐care and usual activities may warrant targeted support interventions. Combination with checkpoint inhibitors is associated with better QoL outcomes. Baseline HRQoL provides predictive information, which can help identify patients most likely to respond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is currently used to treat unresectable superficial tumours of different histotypes through the combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy and local application of electric pulses. In 2006, a collaborative project defined the ESOPE (European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy) guidelines to standardize the procedure. The International Network for Sharing Practices of Electrochemotherapy (InspECT) aims to refine the ESOPE and improve clinical practice. Limiting patient exposure to systemic chemotherapy would be advisable to ameliorate ECT safety profile. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of ECT with reduced chemotherapy dosages. Methods: In a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database (InspECT registry), we evaluated the outcome of patients who received ECT with reduced dosages of bleomycin (7500, 10 000 or 13 500 IU/m2, instead of the standard dose of 15 000 IU/m2). Tumour response in melanoma patients was compared with melanoma patients of the InspECT registry who received the standard dose of bleomycin. Results: We identified 57 patients with 147 tumours (melanoma, 38.6%; squamous cell carcinoma, 22.8%; basal cell carcinoma, 17.5%; breast cancer 7%; Kaposi sarcoma 7%; other histotypes, 7.1%). Per‐tumour complete response (CR) rate at 60 days was 70.1% (partial, 16.3%); per‐patient CR was 57.9% (partial, 21.1%). Local pain was the most frequently reported side‐effect (n = 22 patients [39%]), mostly mild; two patients experienced flu‐like symptoms, one patient nausea. We observed the same CR rate (55%) in patients with melanoma treated by reduced or conventional bleomycin dosages (P = 1.00). Conclusions: Electrochemotherapy performed with reduced bleomycin dosages could be as effective as with currently recommended dose. Patients with impaired renal function or candidate to multiple ECT cycles could benefit from a reduced dose protocol. Our findings need prospective confirmation before being adopted in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linked articles: COVID‐19 SPECIAL FORUM. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34: e291–e310. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a treatment for both primary and secondary cutaneous tumours. The international Network for sharing practices on ECT group investigates treatment outcomes after ECT using a common database with defined parameters. Twenty-eight centres across Europe prospectively uploaded data over an 11-year period. Response rates were investigated in relation to primary diagnosis, tumour size, choice of electrode type, route of bleomycin administration, electrical parameters recorded and previous irradiation in the treated field. Nine hundred eighty-seven patients, with 2482 tumour lesions were included in analysis. The overall response (OR) rate was 85% (complete response [CR]: 70%, partial response rate: 15%, stable disease: 11%, and progressive disease: 2%). For different histologies, OR and CR rates for metastases of malignant melanoma were 82% and 64%, basal cell carcinoma were 96% and 85%, breast cancer metastases were 77% and 62%, squamous cell carcinoma were 80% and 63% as well as Kaposi's sarcoma were 98% and 91%, respectively. Variance was demonstrated across histotypes (p < 0.0001) and in accordance with size of lesion treated (dichotomised at diameter of 3 cm (p < 0.0001). Hexagonal electrodes were generally used for larger tumours, but for tumours up to 3 cm, linear array electrodes provided better tumour control than hexagonal electrodes (80%:74%, p < 0.003). For tumours more than 2 cm, intravenous administration was superior to intratumoural (IT) administration (p < 0.05). Current recorded varied across tumour histologies and size but did not influence response rate. In previously irradiated areas, responses were selectively lower for IT administration. These cumulative data endorse efficiency of ECT across a broad range of histotypes. Analysis of 2482 lesions details subgroup analysis on treatment response informing future treatment choices. • Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is highly efficient in the treatment of cutaneous metastases. • ECT is efficient across tumour histologies. • ECT response is higher for smaller tumours. • Intravenous bleomycin was more efficient than intratumoural, in tumours more than 2 cm size. • Linear array electrodes were more efficient in tumours less than 3 cm size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study analysed treatment strategies with electrochemotherapy (ECT) in melanoma with limb in-transit metastases (ITM)., Methods: We audited AJCC v.8 stage IIIB-IIID patients treated across 22 centres (2006-2020) within the International Network for Sharing Practices of ECT (InspECT)., Results: 452 patients were included, 58 % pre-treated (93 % had lower limb ITM, 44 % had ≤10 metastases [median size 1.5 cm]. Treatment strategies included first-line ECT (n = 145, 32 %), ECT with concurrent locoregional/systemic treatment (n = 163, 36 %), and salvage ECT (n = 144, 32 %). The objective response rate was 63 % (complete response [CR], 24 %), increasing to 74 % (CR, 39 %) following retreatment (median two ECT, range 1-8). CR rate in treatment-naïve and pre-treated patients was 50 % vs 32 % (p < 0.001). Bleomycin de-escalation was associated with lower CR (p = 0.004). Small tumour number and size, hexagonal electrode, retreatment, and post-ECT skin ulceration predicted response in multivariable analysis. At a median follow-up of 61 months, local and locoregional recurrence occurred in 55 % and 81 % of patients. Median local progression-free, new lesions-free, and regional recurrence-free survival were 32.9, 6.9, and 7.7 months. Grade-3 toxicity was 15 %. Concurrent treatment and CR correlated with improved regional control and survival. Concomitant checkpoint inhibition did not impact toxicity or survival outcomes. The median overall survival was 5.7 years., Conclusions: Among patients with low-burden limb-only ITM, standard-dose bleomycin ECT results in durable local response. Treatment naivety, low tumour volume, hexagonal electrode application, retreatment, and post-ECT ulceration predict response. CR and concurrent treatment correlate with improved regional control and survival outcomes. Combination with checkpoint inhibitors is safe but lacks conclusive support., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest LGC, JO, MM, JAC, EK, MB, RC, AM, HS, and GS received travel grants unrelated to this work from Igea Clinical Biophysics S.p.A. (Carpi, Italy). FT, JB, SC, GC, VF, DP, KB, KB, SS, MB, FF, PC, LS, CC, TF, KE, LB, and SV have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.)

Background: Fibrosis is a pathological scarring process characterized by persistent myofibroblast activation with excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Fibrotic disorders represent an increasing burden of disease-associated morbidity and mortality worldwide for which there are limited therapeutic options. Reversing fibrosis requires the elimination of myofibroblasts, remodeling of the ECM, and regeneration of functional tissue. Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have antifibrotic properties mediated by secreted factors present in their conditioned medium (MSC-CM). However, there are no standardized in vitro assays to predict the antifibrotic effects of human MSC. As a result, we lack evidence on the effect of cytokine priming on MSC's antifibrotic effects. We hypothesize that the MSC-CM promotes fibrosis resolution in vitro and that this effect is enhanced following MSC cytokine priming., Methods: We compared the antifibrotic effects of resting versus interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) primed MSC-CM in four in vitro assays: prevention of fibroblast activation, myofibroblasts deactivation, ECM degradation and fibrosis resolution in lung explant cultures. Furthermore, we performed transcriptomic analysis of myofibroblasts treated or not with resting or primed MSC-CM and proteomic characterization of resting and primed MSC-CM., Results: We isolated MSC from adipose tissue of 8 donors, generated MSC-CM and tested each MSC-CM independently. We report that MSC-CM treatment prevented TGF-β induced fibroblast activation to a similar extent as nintedanib but, in contrast to nintedanib, MSC-CM reduced fibrogenic myofibroblasts (i.e. transcriptomic upregulation of apoptosis, senescence, and inflammatory pathways). These effects were larger when primed rather than resting MSC-CM were used. Priming increased the ability of MSC-CM to remodel the ECM, reducing its content of collagen I and fibronectin, and reduced the fibrotic load in TGF-β treated lung explant cultures. Priming increased the following antifibrotic proteins in MSC-CM: DKK1, MMP-1, MMP-3, follistatin and cathepsin S. Inhibition of DKK1 reduced the antifibrotic effects of MSC-CM., Conclusions: In vitro, MSC-CM promote fibrosis resolution, an effect enhanced following MSC cytokine priming. Specifically, MSC-CM reduces fibrogenic myofibroblasts through apoptosis, senescence, and by enhancing ECM degradation. Future studies will establish the in vivo relevance of MSC priming to fibrosis resolution., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk for SARS-CoV-2. In addition, pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic transmission accounts for around half of the cases. Saliva testing is an option to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection. To determine the performance of saliva samples for screening, HCWs were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. Those with a positive result in saliva were tested by nasopharyngeal swabbing for viral RNA detection and blood collection to search for the presence of specific antibodies. In September-October 2020, 100 HCWs were enrolled and followed up. Six subjects (6%) tested positive in saliva. Of them, 5/6 were positive in a subsequent nasopharyngeal swab and 4/6 developed signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19. Among the latter, 3 seroconverted while asymptomatic HCWs remained seronegative. Saliva screening was helpful for identifying SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs. This screening permitted rapid personnel isolation avoiding further transmission of the virus in the hospital setting., (Copyright © 2022 Asociación Argentina de Microbiología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

The potential increased risk of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) post-influenza vaccine is a concern in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of studies reporting the effects of influenza vaccination in patients with cancer during ICI treatment. We searched five electronic databases until 01/2022. Two authors independently selected studies, appraised their quality, and collected data. The primary outcome was the determination of pooled irAE rates. Secondary outcomes included determination of immunogenicity and influenza infection rates and cancer-related outcomes. Nineteen studies (26 publications, n = 4705) were included; 89.5% were observational. Vaccinated patients reported slighter lower rates of irAEs compared to unvaccinated patients (32% versus 41%, respectively). Seroprotection for influenza type A was 78%-79%, and for type B was 75%. Influenza and irAE-related death rates were similar between groups. The pooled proportion of participants reporting a laboratory-confirmed infection was 2% (95% CI 0% to 6%), and influenza-like illness was 14% (95% CI 2% to 32%). No differences were reported on the rates of laboratory-confirmed infection between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Longer progression-free and overall survival was also observed in vaccinated compared with unvaccinated patients. Current evidence suggests that influenza vaccination is safe in patients receiving ICIs, does not increase the risk of irAEs, and may improve survival.

Immunotherapy and target therapy have revolutionized treatment of stage III/IV melanoma. Both treatments show a favorable toxicity profile even if cutaneous adverse events (AEs) are frequent (30%-40% of cases). This is a retrospective single center cohort study that included patients with stage IV or inoperable stage III metastatic melanoma (AJCC 8th) who received BRAFi + MEKi therapy or immunotherapy with Checkpoint inhibitors. All cutaneous AEs were ascertained by a dermatologist based on clinical and histological findings. The primary outcome was to provide a detailed clinical dermatological classification of cutaneous adverse events and an evaluation of the incidence of skin toxicity in the two arms of therapy (immunotherapy and target therapy). A total of 286 patients with stages III-IV metastatic melanoma were included: 146 received immunotherapy and 140 target therapy. In the immunotherapy cohort, 63 (43.1%) cutaneous reactions were observed while 33 skin reactions (23.6%) were identified in patients treated with target therapy. All the skin toxicities observed were grade I, excepted four cases: an erythema multiforme-like eruption, a grade III psoriasis and two grade III maculopapular rashes. Immunotherapy in older age resulted statistically related to skin toxicities (p = 0.011), meanly in metastatic setting (p = 0.011). Cumulative incidence of skin toxicities was 65.63% in immunotherapy cohort (p = 0.001). Also multivariate logistic regression shows a significant association between skin adverse events and immunotherapy (odds ratio [OR] = 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29-0.85, p: 0.01) and between cutaneous AEs and metastatic setting (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.04-3.74, p: 0.04). We have also shown that as the age of initiation of therapy increases the probability of developing skin toxicity grows. However, stratifying by type of therapies the effect of age persists only in immunotherapy (OD: 1.04; CI: 1.01-1.06; p: 0.04) while for target therapy age does not affect the onset of skin toxicity (OD 1.01; CI 0.98-1.04; p = 0.42). No differences were shown between patients on target therapy and immunotherapy regarding gender. Patients were also evaluated regarding concomitant therapies and seems that Levotyroxine may be involved in AEs during immunotherapy treatment. More studies are needed to deepen this aspect, also considering the medical history and diverse drug associations. Cutaneous adverse events are characterized by heterogeneous manifestations, are more often seen in patients on immunotherapy and dermatologists can play a crucial role in multidisciplinary care., (© 2022 The Authors. Dermatologic Therapy published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Cerebral palsy (CP) is still the most common cause of disability developing in infancy. How such a complex disorder affects adult life raises important questions on the critical issues to consider and the most appropriate care pathway right from early childhood. We conducted a multicenter study on a sample of 109 individuals with CP followed up from infancy and recalled for an assessment at ages ranging between 18 and 50 years (mean age 26 years). Semi-structured interviews and specific questionnaires (SF36, LIFE-H and Hollingshead Index) were conducted to assess general psychological state, quality of life, and socio-economic conditions. Our findings showed a globally positive perception of quality of life, albeit with lower scores for physical than for mental health. Our cases generally showed good scores on participation scales, though those with more severe forms scored lower on parameters such as mobility, autonomy, and self-care. These findings were investigated in more depth in interviews, in which our participants painted a picture showing that gradual improvements have been made in several aspects over the years, in the academic attainment and employment, for instance. On the downside, our sample reported persistent limitations on autonomy in daily life. As for the more profound psychological domain, there was evidence of suffering due to isolation and relational difficulties in most cases that had not emerged from the questionnaires. Our data have possible implications for the management of CP during childhood, suggesting the need to avoid an exclusive focus on motor function goals, and to promote strategies to facilitate communication, participation, autonomy, and social relations., (© 2021. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.)

Anorectal malignant melanoma (AMM) is a rare malignant tumor. Surgery remains the gold standard but new adjuvant treatments to allow local sphincter-saving are warranted. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an alternative to surgery in selected cohorts of patients. To evaluate safety and efficacy of ECT in a retrospective series of patients with primary or recurrent AMM in terms of local disease control, local progression free and overall survival. Seven primary and one recurrent AMM underwent ECT. Patients were followed at 1 and 2 months and at the longest available follow-up with clinical examination and/or ultrasound. One month after ECT 6/8 (75%) patients showed complete response, 1/8 partial response (12.5%) and 1/8 stable disease (12.5%), confirmed at 2 months. Bleeding stopped in all patients, and pain was absent or mild/moderate in all patients. No serious adverse events were observed. At 1 year of follow-up seven out of eight patients were alive (87.5%), four were disease-free and three were alive with disease. At the longest available follow-up (mean 4.9 ± 2.0 years) five out of eight (62.5%) of patients were still alive. Our study showed that ECT is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of patients with anal melanoma with good local control of disease., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cutaneous angiosarcoma (cAS) is a highly aggressive malignancy that challenges the radicality of surgical treatment. Electrochemotherapy (ECT), a skin-directed treatment based on cytotoxic chemotherapy combined with local electric pulses, may be an intraoperative adjunct and a new opportunity in the therapeutic strategy. This cohort study reports the experience with ECT as an option., Methods: Data on patients with locally-advanced/metastatic cAS who underwent ECT between October 2013 and October 2018 at eight European centres were prospectively submitted to the InspECT (International network for sharing practices of ECT) register. Patients received therapy according to the European Standard Operating Procedures of ECT (ESOPE). Treatment feasibility was assessed based on tumour coverage with electrodes and recorded tissue current; treatment toxicity and tumour response were graded according to CTCAE v5.0 and RECIST v1.1 criteria, respectively; patient-reported outcomes (PRO) were evaluated using a visual analogue score (VAS) for pain, acceptance of retreatment and the EQ-5D questionnaire., Results: We enrolled 20 patients with advanced cAS in the scalp/face (n = 7), breast/trunk (n = 10) or limbs (n = 3). Target tumours (n = 51) had a median size of 2.3 cm (range, 1-20). We administered 24 ECT courses using 1-4 cm treatment safety margin around tumours. In five patients, ECT was combined/sequenced with surgery. Median tissue current was 3 A (range, 1.5-10), tumour margins coverage rate was 75% (15/20 patients). The objective response rate (ORR) was 80% (complete, 40%). Grade-3 toxicity included skin ulceration (15%) and pain (10%), with no significant change of PRO scores. Bleeding control was achieved in 13/14 patients with ulcerated tumours. With a median overall survival of 12.5 months, the local progression-free survival (LPFS) was 10.9 months., Conclusion: ECT produces sustained response rate with minimal side effects and should be considered an option for advanced cAS. Palliative benefits include patient tolerability, local haemostasis and durable local control. Definition of optimal timing, treatment safety margins and combination with surgery need further investigation., (Copyright © 2019 IJS Publishing Group Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The prognosis of stage IV metastatic melanoma is poor. An overall 1-year survival of 25.5% and a median survival of 6.2 months were reported without any significant improvement during the last 30 years before the introduction of new drugs (immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies) which completely modified the therapeutic approach and induced an overwhelming improvement on the survival rates of these patients. This review will analyze the therapeutic tools available for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma, including adjuvant interferon and locoregional therapies (surgery, radiotherapy and electrochemotherapy) and will mainly focus on the presentation of results obtained by the new treatments (checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies).

Background: (ECT) is an effective local treatment for cutaneous metastasis. Treatment involves the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs followed by delivery of electrical pulses to the tumour., Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of ECT in cutaneous metastases of melanoma and to identify factors that affect (beneficially or adversely) the outcome., Methods: Thirteen cancer centres in the International Network for Sharing Practices on Electrochemotherapy consecutively and prospectively uploaded data to a common database. ECT consisted of intratumoral or intravenous injection of bleomycin, followed by application of electric pulses under local or general anaesthesia., Results: In total, 151 patients with metastatic melanoma were identified from the database, 114 of whom had follow-up data of 60 days or more. Eighty-four of these patients (74%) experienced an overall response (OR = complete response + partial response). Overall, 394 lesions were treated, of which 306 (78%) showed OR, with 229 showing complete response (58%). In multivariate analysis, factors positively associated with overall response were coverage of deep margins, absence of visceral metastases, presence of lymphoedema and treatment of nonirradiated areas. Factors significantly associated with complete response to ECT treatment were coverage of deep margins, previous irradiation of the treated area and tumour size (< 3 cm). One-year overall survival in this cohort of patients was 67% (95% confidence interval 57-77%), while melanoma-specific survival was 74% (95% confidence interval 64-84%). No serious adverse events were reported, and the treatment was in general very well tolerated., Conclusions: ECT is a highly effective local treatment for melanoma metastases in the skin, with no severe adverse effects noted in this study. In the presence of certain clinical factors, ECT may be considered for local tumour control as an alternative to established local treatments, or as an adjunct to systemic treatments., (© 2017 British Association of Dermatologists.)

Cancer survival rates are lower in Eastern Europe. To describe, based on a single-centre database in northern Italy, clinical, histopathological, and prognostic features of melanoma in a migrant population from Eastern Europe., Materials & Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from 18,190 consecutive foreign patients who visited our institution, with 49 cases of melanoma from Eastern Europe. The control group was represented by 1,003 Italian melanoma patients diagnosed and followed at our centre during the same time period. Patients from Eastern Europe were mainly females with lower median age, without significant differences regarding primary melanoma site, relative to the control group. Diagnosis was made at the place of birth in 30.6% and in our centre for the remainder. Median Breslow thickness was greater (p = 0.0178), and aggressive histotypes (p = 0.0017) and ulcerated melanomas (p = 0.002) were significantly over-represented, particularly when diagnosed in the patients' native country. Disease was more advanced at diagnosis (p = 0.0001), regardless of the place of initial diagnosis (51% had a progressive disease within one year which rose to 80% if diagnosed before admission to our centre), and the percentage of patients who died within one year was significantly higher (p = 0.022), relative to the control group. Our study shows a poor prognosis for melanoma patients diagnosed in Eastern Europe. Moreover, for migrant populations moving from Eastern to Western European countries, financial difficulties, poor social integration, and language barriers, with consequent late access to healthcare facilities, may account for a worse prognosis.

Background: Metastatic extraorbital sebaceous carcinoma is a rare event that could involve the head and neck. The treatment of choice for the initial stage of the disease is surgery and/or radiotherapy. The treatment of recurrent or advanced disease is still controversial., Material and Methods: Extensive literature search was done, and the treatment options are discussed., Results: Results. The literature search found several treatment modalities in use for the treatment of metastatic extraorbital sebaceous carcinoma. Electrochemotherapy was not included in the reported treatments. We used this technique for a man of 85 years old with a recurrent and locally metastatic extraorbital sebaceous carcinoma of the scalp. During the period of 8 months, two sessions of electrochemotherapy were employed, which resulted in an objective response of the tumour and good quality of life., Conclusions: Electrochemotherapy has shown to be a interesting tools for treatment of metastatic extraorbital sebaceous carcinoma when other radical options are not available or convenient.

Background: Targeted therapies have recently changed the approach to advanced melanoma. RAF inhibitors represent the emerging standard of care for metastatic BRAF mutated melanomas. Cutaneous reactions are the most common side effects during vemurafenib treatment, and affect the quality of life. The aim of this study was to provide some practical advices to manage the drug related cutaneous reactions., Methods: A cohort of BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma patients treated at our institution included 20 female and 21 male patients; median age was 56 years (32-87 years). All patients were treated at a dose of 960 mg b.i.d. orally., Results: After a median treatment duration of 7 months (range 0.5-25.2), 29/39 patients (74.4%) developed cutaneous toxicities. We identified 22 cases of maculo-papular rash (56%) and 18 of warts (46%); in a total of 10 cases we observed alterations of keratinization (25.6%), while 6 of our patients presented photosensitivity (15 %). Six patients developed keratoacanthomas; no second melanomas were observed., Conclusions: Skin involvement during vemurafenib treatment is frequent but in the majority of cases cutaneous side effects are self-limiting and easy to manage. Moreover, sun protection is mandatory in vemurafenib treated patients, and should be started together with BRAF inhibitor in order to minimize the impact of photosensitivity on quality of life.

Background: Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are the most frequent cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) were reverse transcribed and integrated into primate chromosomal DNA, becoming noninfectious, although various stimuli may reactivate them. HERV expression seems to be impaired in several human diseases but limited data regarding CTCL are available., Objective: To evaluate the endogenous retroviral transcription profile in CTCL and their expression among disease clinical stages., Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 42 MF/SS patients were analyzed. Total RNA was extracted and amplified with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results were compared with those obtained in a cohort of 20 healthy donors., Results: HERVs were significantly overexpressed in MF/SS patients compared with healthy donors. No differences were found between early and advanced CTCL stages., Conclusion: HERVs can act as promoters in MF/SS pathogenesis. It remains to link HERV hyperexpression to the outcome in CTCL patients., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Sézary syndrome (SS), the leukemic variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), has a poor prognosis and infections represent the most frequent cause of death. Polymorphonucleate granulocytes (PMNs) constitute an essential part of the innate immune system: their phagocytic and killing activity against pathogens is mediated by the interactions between Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and the Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The aim of this study was to investigate PMN functional activity and phenotype in SS patients and their correlation with the onset of infectious complications. This prospective study enrolled 18 consecutive SS patients; PMN functional activity was evaluated by phagocytosis and intracellular killing tests towards Klebsiella pneumoniae. Flow-cytometry was applied to analyze PMN phenotype. PMNs from SS patients displayed a reduced phagocytic activity and intracellular killing against K. pneumoniae at 30 min and 60 min, more pronounced in SS patients with recurrent infections. CD11b and CD66b median fluorescence intensity (MFI) was significantly higher in SS than in healthy subjects, whereas CD62L MFI was decreased. No significant differences in TLR2, 4, 8 and 9 percentage expression or MFI were found. An increased TLR5 percentage expression was documented. The impairment in PMN functional activities in SS could favour the immune-suppression and raise infection risk.