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Neurofibromatose Typ-1 (NF1) ist ein Genodermatose, die häufig in der Dermatologie behandelt wird. Bei vielen Patienten mit NF1 wird die Diagnose aufgrund klinischer Merkmale erstellt wie Café-au-Lait-Flecken, Freckling und plexiformen Neurofibromen, die schon während der frühen Kindheit auftreten können. Später im Leben sind oft kutane Neurofibrome weitere wichtige diagnostische Merkmale. Die NF1 ist durch ausgeprägte klinische Variabilität und eine breite Heterogenität der NF1-Genmutationen charakterisiert, was Genotyp/Phänotyp-Korrelationen erschwert. Wichtige Ausnahmen sind NF1-Mikrodeletionen, die bei 5-11 % aller NF1-Patienten auftreten. Patienten mit NF1-Mikrodeletionen zeigen häufig spezifische Merkmale wie Gesichtsdysmorphien und sind von großer Statur. Zudem sind früh auftretende kutane und subkutane Neurofibrome, schwere Entwicklungsverzögerungen in multiplen Bereichen sowie kognitive Einschränkungen pathognomonisch für das NF1-Mikrodeletions-Syndrom. Darüber hinaus sind NF1-Mikrodeletionen mit einem Risiko für maligne periphere Nervenscheidentumoren assoziiert, das etwa zweifach höher ist als bei intragenischen NF1-Mutationen. Die schweren klinischen Manifestationen bei Patienten mit NF1-Mikrodeletionen machen eine frühe multidisziplinäre klinische Betreuung und häufige Tumor-Überwachung der Patienten notwendig. Wenn bei einem Patienten Red-Flag-Symptome für das NF1-Mikrodeletions-Syndrom auftreten, ist eine frühzeitige genetische Untersuchung notwendig, um eine NF1-Mikrodeletion zu bestätigen oder auszuschließen.

Objectives Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs frequently in patients with SSc. We investigated whether the presence of GERD and/or the use of anti-acid therapy, specifically proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), are associated with long-term outcomes, especially in SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Methods We retrospectively analysed patients with SSc and SSc-ILD from the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis (DNSS) database (2003 onwards). Kaplan–Meier analysis compared overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with GERD vs without GERD (SSc and SSc-ILD), and PPI vs no PPI use (SSc-ILD only). Progression was defined as a decrease in either percentage predicted forced vital capacity of ≥10% or single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide of ≥15%, or death. Results It was found that 2693/4306 (63%) registered patients with SSc and 1204/1931 (62%) with SSc-ILD had GERD. GERD was not associated with decreased OS or decreased PFS in patients in either cohort. In SSc-ILD, PPI use was associated with improved OS vs no PPI use after 1 year [98.4% (95% CI: 97.6, 99.3); n = 760 vs 90.8% (87.9–93.8); n = 290] and after 5 years [91.4% (89.2–93.8); n = 357 vs 70.9% (65.2–77.1); n = 106; P Conclusion GERD had no effect on survival in SSc or SSc-ILD. PPIs improved survival in patients with SSc-ILD. Controlled, prospective trials are needed to confirm this finding.

Purpose Uveal melanoma (UM) is an orphan cancer of high unmet medical need. Current patterns of care and surveillance remain unclear as they are situated in an interdisciplinary setting. Methods A questionnaire addressing the patterns of care and surveillance in the management of patients with uveal melanoma was distributed to 70 skin cancer centers in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Frequency distributions of responses for each item of the questionnaire were calculated. Results 44 of 70 (62.9%) skin cancer centers completed the questionnaire. Thirty-nine hospitals were located in Germany (88.6%), three in Switzerland (6.8%) and two in Austria (4.5%). The majority (68.2%) represented university hospitals. Most patients with metastatic disease were treated in certified skin cancer centers (70.7%, 29/41). Besides, the majority of patients with UM were referred to the respective skin cancer center by ophthalmologists (87.2%, 34/39). Treatment and organization of follow-up of patients varied across the different centers. 35.1% (14/37) of the centers stated to not perform any screening measures. Conclusion Treatment patterns of patients with uveal melanoma in Germany, Austria and Switzerland remain extremely heterogeneous. A guideline for the treatment and surveillance is urgently needed.

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ObjectivesSystemic sclerosis is a heterogeneous, multisystem disease. It can occur at any age, but most patients develop the disease between the age of 40 to 50 years. There is controversial evidence on whether/how the age at disease onset affects their clinical phenotype. We here investigate the relationship between age at disease onset and symptoms in a large cohort of SSc patients (lcSSc, dcSSc and SSc-overlap syndromes).MethodsClinical data of the registry of the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma including 3281 patients were evaluated and subdivided into three age groups at disease onset (60 years).ResultsAmong all SSc patients, 24.5% developed their first non-Raynaud phenomenon symptoms at the age 60 years), except for gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal involvement. No significant difference was found for the use of corticosteroids. However, significantly, fewer patients older than 60 years received immunosuppressive treatment.ConclusionIn this large registry, ∼25% of patients developed SSc at an age above 60 years with an increased frequency of lcSSc. In this age group, an onset of internal organ involvement was significantly accelerated across all three subsets. These findings suggest that, in the elderly cohort, more frequent follow-up examinations are required for an earlier detection of organ complications.

Parabens are preservatives widely used in consumer products including cosmetics and food. Whether low-dose paraben exposure may cause adverse health effects has been discussed controversially in recent years. Here we investigate the effect of prenatal paraben exposure on childhood overweight by combining epidemiological data from a mother–child cohort with experimental approaches. Mothers reporting the use of paraben-containing cosmetic products have elevated urinary paraben concentrations. For butyl paraben (BuP) a positive association is observed to overweight within the first eight years of life with a stronger trend in girls. Consistently, maternal BuP exposure of mice induces a higher food intake and weight gain in female offspring. The effect is accompanied by an epigenetic modification in the neuronal Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) enhancer 1 leading to a reduced hypothalamic POMC expression. Here we report that maternal paraben exposure may contribute to childhood overweight development by altered POMC-mediated neuronal appetite regulation.

A significant number of chronic venous ulcers (CVUs) fail to heal despite guideline-conform standards of care. Skin-derived ABCB5+ mesenchymal stem cells can dampen the sustained IL-1β‒driven inflammation present in chronic wounds. On the basis of their wound healing‒facilitating effects in a mouse CVU model and an autologous first-in-human study, ABCB5+ mesenchymal stem cells have emerged as a potential candidate for cell-based advanced therapy of nonhealing CVUs. In this interventional, multicenter, single-arm, phase I/IIa clinical trial, subjects whose CVUs had emerged as standard therapy resistant received one or two topical applications of 1 × 106 allogeneic ABCB5+ mesenchymal stem cells per cm2 wound area, in addition to standard treatment. Of 83 treatment-emergent adverse events, only three were judged related to the cell product; they were mild or moderate and recovered without sequelae. Wound size markedly decreased from baseline to week 12, resulting in a median wound size reduction of 76% (full analysis set, n = 31), 78% (per-protocol set, n = 27), and 87% (subset of responders, n = 21). In conclusion, the study treatment was well-tolerated and safe. The treatment elicited a profound wound size reduction within 12 weeks, identifying ABCB5+ mesenchymal stem cells as a potential candidate for adjunctive therapy of otherwise incurable CVUs. These results justify the conduct of a larger, randomized, controlled trial to confirm clinical efficacy.

A significant number of chronic venous ulcers (CVUs) fail to heal despite of guideline-conform standard of care. Skin-derived ABCB5(+) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can dampen the sustained IL-1β-driven inflammation present in chronic wounds. Based on their wound healing-facilitating effects in a mouse CVU model and an autologous first-in-human study, ABCB5(+) MSCs have emerged as a potential candidate for cell-based advanced therapy of non-healing CVUs. In the present interventional, multicenter, single-arm, phase I/IIa clinical trial, subjects whose CVU had emerged as standard therapy-resistant received one or two topical applications of 1×10(6) allogeneic ABCB5(+) MSCs/cm(2) wound area in addition to standard treatment. Out of 83 treatment-emergent adverse events, only three were judged related to the cell product; they were mild or moderate and recovered without sequelae. Wound size markedly decreased from baseline to week 12, resulting in a median wound size reduction of 76% (full analysis set, N=31), 78% (per-protocol set, N=27) and 87% (subset of responders; n=21). In conclusion, the study treatment was well tolerated and safe. The treatment elicited a profound wound size reduction within 12 weeks, identifying ABCB5(+) MSCs as a potential candidate for adjunctive therapy of otherwise incurable CVUs. These results justify the conduct of a larger, randomized, controlled trial to confirm clinical efficacy.

Severe angiopathy is a major driver for diabetes associated secondary complications. Knowledge on underlying mechanisms essential for advanced therapies to attenuate these pathologies is limited. Injection of ABCB5+ stromal precursors (SPs) at the edge of non-healing diabetic wounds in a murine db/db model, closely mirroring human type II diabetes, profoundly accelerates wound closure. Strikingly, enhanced angiogenesis was substantially enforced by the release of the ribonuclease angiogenin from ABCB5+ SPs. This compensates for the profoundly reduced angiogenin expression in non-treated murine chronic diabetic wounds. Silencing of angiogenin in ABCB5+ SPs prior to injection significantly reduced angiogenesis and delayed wound closure in diabetic db/db mice implying an unprecedented key role for angiogenin in tissue regeneration in diabetes. These data hold significant promise for further refining SPs-based therapies of non-healing diabetic foot ulcers and other pathologies with impaired angiogenesis.

Background: Uveal melanoma (UM) is an ocular malignancy with high potential for metastatic spread. In contrast to cutaneous melanoma, immunotherapy has not yet shown convincing efficacy in patients with UM. Combined immune checkpoint blockade with checkpoint programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and checkpoint cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) inhibition has not been systematically assessed for UM to date. Patients and methods: Patients with metastatic UM treated with either PD-1 inhibitor monotherapy or combined PD-1 inhibitor and ipilimumab (an anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody) were included from 20 German skin cancer centres. Records from 96 cases were analysed for treatment outcomes. Clinical and blood parameters associated with overall survival (OS) or treatment response were identified with multivariate Cox regression and binary logistic regression. Results: Eighty-six patients were treated with PD-1 inhibitors only (n = 54 for pembrolizumab, n = 32 for nivolumab) with a centrally confirmed response rate of 4.7%. Median OS was 14 months for pembrolizumab-treated and 10 months for nivolumab-treated patients (p = 0.765). Fifteen patients were treated with combined immune checkpoint blockade with partial response observed in two cases. Median OS was not reached in this group. Multivariate Cox regression identified Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (p = 0.002), elevated serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p = 0.002) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.001), and a relative eosinophil count (REC)

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in SSc and thus treatment with anti-acid therapy (AAT) is frequent. An association between GER and SSc-ILD progression has been hypothesized. However, outcomes of AAT on disease progression in SSc-ILD has only sparsely been studied. Methods: The German Network for Systemic Scleroderma (DNSS), which includes SSc pts. prospectively, was analyzed for SSc-ILD. Those without SSc progression at ILD 1st diagnosis were categorized in AAT vs. no-AAT users and outcome was assessed. Results: SSc-ILD was reported in 1886 out of 4306 pts. 929 of SSc-ILD pts had no disease progression at ILD 1st diagnosis. 514 used AAT while 415 did not. Baseline characteristics were similar with regards to age, gender, BMI, time since SSc diagnosis, mRSS, esophageal involvement and steroid use. Significant differences in no-AAT vs. AAT were found for lung function (PFT: DLCO 63% vs. 58%, p Conclusions: This current analysis suggests, that AAT use may be correlated with ILD progression in SSc. Yet, results may have been biased by differences in baseline PFT and favorable survival effects have to be respected. Prospective trials are needed to assess the impact of AAT in SSc-ILD.

Background: Data from prospective clinical trials support the use of immunomodulatory therapies (IT) for treatment of SSc-ILD. However, outcomes for SSc-ILD in respect to IT use in large real-life cohorts has only sparsely been reported. Methods: The German Network for Systemic Scleroderma (DNSS), which includes SSc pts. prospectively, was analyzed for SSc-ILD. Patients were categorized in IT vs. no-IT users and outcome was assessed. Results: SSc-ILD was reported in 1886 out of 4306 pts. 1109 used IT while 777 did not. Baseline characteristics at ILD diagnosis were similar with regards to gender, FVC (no IT 82% vs. IT 78%, p=0.117) and use of PH drugs. Significant differences in no-IT vs. IT were found for age, time since SSc diagnosis (10 vs. 7 years p Conclusions: In this large real-life cohort of SSc-patients, the use of immunomodulatory therapies had no significant impact on outcomes in SSc-ILD. Yet, differences in baseline characteristics have to be taken into account.

Background SSc is a heterogeneous multisystem connective tissue disease. The majority of patients (pts) develop initial clinical symptoms between the ages of 30-50 years (yrs). It is not yet known whether the age of onset has an influence on the development of a distinct clinical phenotype. Objectives Investigating the relationship between age at disease onset and the development of clinical characteristics using data of the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma. Methods We evaluated 2928 patient data, subdivided them into 3 age groups at disease onset ( 60 years) and correlated the age at disease onset with specific clinical characteristics. Results Overall, 24% of pts developed first non-RP symptoms at the age of 60yrs developed significantly (p Conclusion In this registry, approximately one quarter of pts developed SSc at an age above 60yrs, predominantly having a lcSSc subtype. Although these pts have been diagnosed with the mild form of SSc, pts with a lcSSc subtype at a higher age (>60yrs) had more frequent a PH and showed a more rapid disease progression than the youngest pts. These findings may have an important influence on recommendations on diagnosis, frequency of follow-ups and therapy of SSc in different age groups. Disclosure of Interests Pia Moinzadeh Speakers bureau: Actelion, Kathrin Kuhr: None declared, Ulf Muller-Ladner Grant/research support from: Projekt supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Celgene GmbH., Elise Siegert Shareholder of: Astra Zeneca, Grant/research support from: Actelion, Consultant for: AEC Partners, Speakers bureau: Actelion, Norsk, Jorg Henes: None declared, Gabriela Riemekasten Consultant for: Chugai, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Speakers bureau: Chugai, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Norbert Blank Grant/research support from: SOBI and Novartis, Speakers bureau: Novartis and SOBI, Marc Schmalzing Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Chugai, MSD, Janssen-Cilag, BMS, Celgene, UCB, Consultant for: Abbvie, Chugai, Genzyme, Hexal/Sandoz, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi Pasteur, Speakers bureau: Actelion, Baxalta/Shire, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Janssen-Cilag, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Ina Koetter: None declared, Claudia Guenther Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Novartis, Employee of: 20 years ago, Novartis, Speakers bureau: Celtis, Tim Schmeiser Speakers bureau: Actelion, UCB, Pfizer, Gabriele Zeidler Grant/research support from: MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH Actelion Pharmaceuticals Deutschland GmbH Roche Pharma AG AbbVie Deutschland GmbH Co. KG Pfizer Pharma GmbH Lilly Deutschland GmbH Celgene GmbH Bristol–Myers Squibb UCB Pharma GmbH/UCB GmbH Speakers bureau: MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH Actelion Pharmaceuticals Deutschland GmbH Roche Pharma AG AbbVie Deutschland GmbH Co. KG Pfizer Pharma GmbH Lilly Deutschland GmbH Celgene GmbH Bristol–Myers Squibb UCB Pharma GmbH/UCB GmbH Disclosure of Interests Alexander Kreuter Speakers bureau: Actelion Pharma, MSD, AbbVie, InfektioPharm, Margitta Worm: None declared, Laura Susok: None declared, Aaron Juche: None declared, Christiane Pfeiffer: None declared, Cord Sunderkoetter: None declared, Donja Homayoon: None declared, Nicolas Hunzelmann Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Pfizer, Roche

Background Pulmonary involvement is the leading cause of death in SSc and can manifest as interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary hypertension (PAH) or a combination (ILD-PH). Aim of this analysis was to determine prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of different forms within the German SSc Network. Objectives Methods SSc patients were analyzed for pulmonary involvement, clinical characteristics and outcome. Results There were 3699 pts in 42 centers with a mean follow up time of 34.4±12.6 months. At baseline, ILD was frequent (29.5%), while ILD-PH and PAH had lower prevalences (7.5%, 6.1%). At the end of follow up, 32% of SSc pts had ILD, 13% ILD-PH and 7% PAH. ILD and ILD-PH were more frequent in the diffuse form (47%, 12%), while PAH did not differ between subforms. Significant differences in baseline characteristics between PAH vs. ILD-PH vs. ILD were found for age (62, 59, 54 years), sex (males: 15%, 22%, 24%) and smoking prevalence (non-smokers 49%, 63%, 57%). Mean DLCO and FVC were 56%/93% for PAH, 49%/78% for ILD-PH and 56%/81% for ILD. Significant decreases for DLCO (≥15%) and FVC (≥10%) were found in 45%/26% in PAH, 45%/26% for ILD-PH and 36%/16% in ILD. All-cause mortality was 8.1% for the total cohort and differed significantly between patients without pulmonary involvement (4%), ILD (7.8%), PAH (14.2%), and ILD-PH (21%, p Conclusion ILD is the most prevalent pulmonary involvement in SSc, while PH-ILD is associated with the most detrimental survival. Significant differences in baseline characteristics of types of pulmonary SSc involvement may help to identify patients at risk in the future. Disclosure of Interests: Michael Kreuter Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche Pharma, Consultant for: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche Pharma, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche Pharma, Francesco Bonella Consultant for: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche Pharma, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche Pharma, Ulf Muller-Ladner Grant/research support from: Projekt supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Celgene GmbH., Elise Siegert Shareholder of: Astra Zeneca, Grant/research support from: Actelion, Consultant for: AEC Partners, Speakers bureau: Actelion, Norsk, Jorg Henes: None declared, Gabriela Riemekasten Consultant for: Chugai, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Speakers bureau: Chugai, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Norbert Blank Grant/research support from: SOBI and Novartis, Speakers bureau: Novartis and SOBI, Marc Schmalzing Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Chugai, MSD, Janssen-Cilag, BMS, Celgene, UCB, Consultant for: Abbvie, Chugai, Genzyme, Hexal/Sandoz, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi Pasteur, Speakers bureau: Actelion, Baxalta/Shire, BMS, Celgene, Chugai, Janssen-Cilag, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Ina Koetter: None declared, Claudia Guenther Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Novartis, Employee of: 20 years ago, Novartis, Speakers bureau: Celtis, Tim Schmeiser Speakers bureau: Actelion, UCB, Pfizer, Gabriele Zeidler Grant/research support from: MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH Actelion Pharmaceuticals Deutschland GmbH Roche Pharma AG AbbVie Deutschland GmbH Co. KG Pfizer Pharma GmbH Lilly Deutschland GmbH Celgene GmbH Bristol-Myers Squibb UCB Pharma GmbH/UCB GmbH, Speakers bureau: MSD Sharp & Dohme GmbH Actelion Pharmaceuticals Deutschland GmbH Roche Pharma AG AbbVie Deutschland GmbH Co. KG Pfizer Pharma GmbH Lilly Deutschland GmbH Celgene GmbH Bristol-Myers Squibb UCB Pharma GmbH/UCB GmbH, Alexander Kreuter Speakers bureau: Actelion Pharma, MSD, AbbVie, InfektioPharm, Margitta Worm: None declared, Laura Susok: None declared, Aaron Juche: None declared, Christiane Pfeiffer: None declared, Cord Sunderkoetter: None declared, Donja Homayoon: None declared, Kathrin Kuhr: None declared, Hanns-Martin Lorenz: None declared, Pia Moinzadeh Speakers bureau: Actelion, Nicolas Hunzelmann Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Pfizer, Roche

Background:Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs frequently in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). PPI use has to been shown to improve survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, whereas to date there are no data on the use of PPI in SSc-ILD.Objectives:This study was aimed to assess whether use of PPI is associated with progression of SSc-ILD and survival.Methods:We retrospectively analysed 1931 patients with SSc and SSc-ILD from the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis (DNSS) database (2003 onwards). Kaplan–Meier analysis compared overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with vs. without GERD (SSc and SSc-ILD), and PPI vs. no PPI use (SSc-ILD only). Progression was defined as a decrease in either % predicted forced vital capacity ≥10% or single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide ≥15%, or death.Results:GERD was not associated with decreased OS or PFS in patients with either SSc or SSc-ILD. In patients with SSc-ILD, PPI use was associated with improved OS vs. no PPI use after 1 year (98.4% [95% confidence interval: 97.6–99.3]; n=760 vs. 90.8% [87.9–93.8]; n=290) and after 5 years (91.4% [89.2–93.8]; n=357 vs. 70.9% [65.2–77.1]; n=106; pConclusion:GERD had no effect on survival in SSc or SSc-ILD. PPIs improved survival in patients with SSc-ILD; however, controlled, prospective trials are needed to confirm this finding.Disclosure of Interests:Michael Kreuter Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Consultant of: Boehringer, Grant/research support from: Boehringer, Francesco Bonella Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Roche, GSK, Consultant of: Boehringer, Roche, GSK, Grant/research support from: Boehringer, Kuhr Kathrin: None declared, Jörg Henes Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Boehringer, Chugai, Roche, Janssen, Novartis, SOBI, Pfizer and UCB, Consultant of: Boehringer, Celgene, Chugai, Roche, Janssen, Novartis, SOBI, Grant/research support from: Chugai, Roche, Janssen, Novartis, SOBI, Pfizer, Elise Siegert: None declared, Gabriela Riemekasten Speakers bureau: Novartis, Janssen, Roche, GSK, Boehringer, Consultant of: Janssen, Actelion, Boehringer, Norbert Blank Consultant of: Sobi, Novartis, Roche, UCB, MSD, Pfizer, Actelion, Abbvie, Boehringer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Sobi, Christiane Pfeiffer: None declared, Ulf Müller-Ladner: None declared, Alexander Kreuter Speakers bureau: MSD, Boehringer, InfectoPharm, Paid instructor for: MSD, PETER KORSTEN Consultant of: Glaxo, Abbvie, Pfizer, BMS, Chugai, Sanofi, Lilly, Boehringer, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Glaxo, Aaron Juche: None declared, Marc Schmalzing Speakers bureau: Chugai Roche, Boehringer, Celgene, Medac, UCB, Paid instructor for: Novartis, Abbvie, Astra Zeneca, Chugai Roche, Janssen, Consultant of: Chugai Roche, Hexal Sandoz, Gilead, Abbvie, Janssen, Boehringer, Margitta Worm Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Ilona Jandova Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Novartis, Abbvie, Laura Susok Speakers bureau: MSD, Novartis, BMS, Sunpharma, Consultant of: MSD, Tim Schmeiser Consultant of: Abbvie, Boehringer, Novartis, UCB, Claudia Guenther Paid instructor for: Advisory Board Boehringer January 2020, Employee of: Novartis 2002-2005, Gernot Keyszer Consultant of: Boehringer, Jan Ehrchen Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Janssen, Chugai, Sobi, Employee of: Pfizer, Actelion (now Janssen), Andreas Ramming Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Gilead, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, Consultant of: Boehringer, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Pfizer, Ina Kötter Speakers bureau: several companies, Consultant of: several companies, Grant/research support from: several companies, Hanns-Martin Lorenz Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Astra Zeneca, Actelion, Alexion Amgen, Bayer Vital, Baxter, Biogen, Boehringer, BMS, Celgene, Fresenius, Genzyme, GSK, Gilead, Hexal, Janssen, Lilly, Medac, MSD, Mundipharm, Mylan, Novartis, Octapharm, Pfizer, Roche Chugai, Sandoz, Sanofi, Shire SOBI, Thermo Fischer, UCB, Grant/research support from: basic research studies: Pfizer, Novartis, Abbvie, Gilead, Lilly, MSD, Roche Chugai, Pia Moinzadeh Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Actelion, Grant/research support from: Actelion, Nicolas Hunzelmann Speakers bureau: Boehringer Janssen, Roche, Sanofi, Consultant of: Boehringer

Background:Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is common in SSc and thus treatment with anti-acid therapy (AAT) is frequent. An association between GER and the development / progression of SSc-ILD has been hypothesized. However, outcomes of AAT on disease progression in SSc-ILD has only sparsely been studied.Objectives:Methods:The German Network for Systemic Scleroderma (DNSS), which includes SSc pts. prospectively, was analyzed for SSc-ILD. Those without progression at ILD 1stdiagnosis were categorized in AAT vs. no-AAT users and disease outcome was assessed.Results:SSc-ILD was reported in 1165 (28.2%) out of 4131 pts. 712 of SSc-ILD pts had no disease progression at ILD 1stdiagnosis. 567 used AAT while 145 did not. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups with regards to age (mean 54.7 years), BMI, time since SSc diagnosis and immunosuppressant use. Significant differences in no-AAT vs. AAT were found for gender (male 18% vs. 25%, p=0.05), SSc subtype (p=0.002, diffuse more common in AAT), lung function (DLCO 66% vs. 58%, p=0.001; FVC 86% vs. 77%, p=0.001), mRSS (8 vs. 11.5, pConclusion:While results may have partially been biased by differences in baseline characteristics, this current analysis disfavors the approach of AAT use for SSc-ILD.Disclosure of Interests:Michael Kreuter Grant/research support from: Roche, Boehringer, Consultant of: Roche, Boehringer, Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Roche, Francesco Bonella Grant/research support from: Boehringer, Consultant of: Boehringer, Roche, Bristol MS, Galapagos, Speakers bureau: Boehringer, Roche, Gabriela Riemekasten Consultant of: Cell Trend GmbH, Janssen, Actelion, Boehringer Ingelheim, Speakers bureau: Actelion, Novartis, Janssen, Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Ulf Müller-Ladner Speakers bureau: Biogen, Jörg Henes Grant/research support from: Novartis, Roche-Chugai, Consultant of: Novartis, Roche, Celgene, Pfizer, Abbvie, Sanofi, Boehringer-Ingelheim,, Elise Siegert Grant/research support from: Actelion, Consultant of: AEC, Speakers bureau: NA, Claudia Guenther: None declared, Ina Koetter Grant/research support from: Novartis, Roche, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Actelion, Celgene, MSD, UCB, Sanofi, Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, Chugai, Roche, Boehringer, Norbert Blank Speakers bureau: Actelion, Roche, Boehringer, Pfizer, Chugai, Christiane Pfeiffer: None declared, Marc Schmalzing: None declared, Gabriele Zeidler: None declared, PETER KORSTEN Grant/research support from: Novartis, Juarms GmbH, Consultant of: Abbvie, Pfizer, Lilly, BMS, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Pfizer, chugai, BMS, Lilly, Sanofi aventis, Laura Susok: None declared, Aaron Juche: None declared, Margitta Worm Consultant of: Mylan Gemany, Bencard Allergie, BBV Technologies S.A., Novartis, Biotest, Sanofi, Aimmune Therapies, Regeneron, Speakers bureau: ALK-Abello, Novartis, Sanofi, Biotest, Mylan, Actelion, HAL Allergie, Aimmune Bencard Allergie, Ilona Jandova: None declared, Jan Ehrchen: None declared, Cord Sunderkoetter: None declared, Gernot Keyszer: None declared, Andreas Ramming Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Novartis, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Gilead, Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Janssen, Tim Schmeiser Speakers bureau: Actelion, UCB, Pfizer, Alexander Kreuter Speakers bureau: Sanofi, Abbvie, Merck Sharp&Dohme, Boehringer, Kathrin Kuhr: None declared, Hanns-Martin Lorenz Grant/research support from: Consultancy and/or speaker fees and/or travel reimbursements: Abbvie, MSD, BMS, Pfizer, Celgene, Medac, GSK, Roche, Chugai, Novartis, UCB, Janssen-Cilag, Astra-Zeneca, Lilly. Scientific support and/or educational seminars and/or clinical studies: Abbvie, MSD, BMS, Pfizer, Celgene, Medac, GSK, Roche, Chugai, Novartis, UCB, Janssen-Cilag, Astra-Zeneca, Lilly, Baxter, SOBI, Biogen, Actelion, Bayer Vital, Shire, Octapharm, Sanofi, Hexal, Mundipharm, Thermo Fisher., Consultant of: see above, Pia Moinzadeh: None declared, Nicolas Hunzelmann Speakers bureau: Actelion, Boehringer

To determine the type and frequency of physical therapy (PT) prescribed by physicians for patients in the registry of the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis.The data for 4,252 patients were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and odds ratios (ORs).Overall, 37.4% of patients (1,590 of 4,252) received PT at the end of a yearly follow-up. The most frequently used type of PT was lymphatic drainage (n = 1,061, 36.8%), followed by exercise therapy (n = 1,047, 36.3%) and heat therapy (n = 689, 23.9%). More than three-fourths of treated patients (82%) received 1 or 2 different forms of PT simultaneously. The prescription of PT was associated with the extent of skin fibrosis as measured by the modified Rodnan skin thickness score (10 [41.8% of patients], 11-20 [55.8% of patients], and21 [63.9% of patients]; P0.001). Patients with musculoskeletal involvement (e.g., arthritis, muscle weakness, joint contractures, tendon friction rubs) had a higher chance of receiving PT than patients without these symptoms, with corresponding ORs ranging from 1.96 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.69-2.28) for joint contractures to 3.83 (95% CI 2.89-5.08) for arthritis. When comparing the type of PT prescription across the initial and all follow-up visits from 2003 to 2017, significant alterations with a decreasing frequency of patients receiving PT could be observed (P = 0.001).To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the use of PT in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a large cohort. Although SSc is characterized by considerable disability and restriction of motion,40% of patients received PT.

Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a very heterogeneous multisystem connective tissue disease. The majority of affected patients develop initial clinical symptoms between the age of 30 to 50 years. It is not known whether an ageing population affects the clinical phenotype of SSc. Objectives To investigate the relationship of the age at disease onset and clinical characteristics in SSc patients using the registry of the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma. Methods Clinical data of the patient registry, currently including 4021 patients, were evaluated. Three age ranges at disease onset ( 60 years) were correlated with clinical characteristics. Results Among all SSc patients, 27% of patients developed first non-raynaud symptoms at the age 60 years developed significantly (p Conclusions In this registry, nearly one third of patients developed SSc at an age above 60 years. These are mostly of the limited cutanous subtype with frequent PH. These findings have an important influence on recommendations on diagnosis and theray of SSC. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background: Pulmonary involvement is the leading cause of death in SSc and can manifest as interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary hypertension (PAH) or a combination (ILD-PH). Aim of this analysis was to determine prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of these different forms within the German SSc Network. Methods: SSc pts were analyzed for pulmonary involvement, clinical characteristics and outcome. Results: There were 3699 pts in 42 centers with a mean follow up time of 34.4±12.6 months. At baseline, ILD was frequent (29.5%), while ILD-PH and PAH had lower prevalence (7.5%, 6.1%). At the end of follow up, 32% of SSc pts had ILD, 13% ILD-PH and 7% PAH. ILD and ILD-PH were more frequent in the diffuse form (47%, 12%), while PAH did not differ between subforms. Significant differences in baseline characteristics between PAH vs. ILD-PH vs. ILD were found for age (62, 59, 54 years), sex (males: 15%, 22%, 24%) and smoking prevalence (non-smokers 49%, 63%, 57%). Mean DLCO and FVC were 56% / 93 % for PAH, 49% / 78% for ILD-PH and 56% / 81% for ILD. Significant decreases for DLCO (≥15%) and FVC (≥10%) were found in 45% / 26% in PAH, 45% / 26% for ILD-PH and 36% / 16% in ILD. All-cause mortality was 8.1% for the total cohort and differed significantly between patients without pulmonary involvement (4%), ILD (7.8%), PAH (14.2%), and ILD-PH (21%, p Conclusions: ILD is the most prevalent pulmonary involvement in SSc, while PH-ILD is associated with the most detrimental survival. Significant differences in baseline characteristics of types of pulmonary SSc involvement may help identify patients at risk in the future.

Objective.Vasculopathy is a key factor in the pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and the main cause for Raynaud phenomenon (RP), digital ulcers (DU), and/or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It is so far unknown how patients with SSc are treated with vasoactive agents in daily practice. To determine to which extent patients with SSc were treated with different vasoactive agents, we used data from the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma registry.Methods.The data of 3248 patients with SSc were analyzed.Results.Patients were treated with vasoactive drugs in 61.1% of cases (1984/3248). Of these, 47.6% received calcium channel inhibitors, followed by 34.2% treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, 21.1% treated with intravenous (IV) prostanoids, 10.1% with pentoxifylline, 8.8% with angiotensin 1 receptor antagonists (AT1RA), 8.7% with endothelin 1 receptor antagonists (ET1RA), 4.1% with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, and 5.3% with others. Patients with RP received vasoactive therapy in 63.3% of cases, with DU in 70.1%, and with PAH in 78.2% of cases. Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with PAH were significantly more often treated with PDE5 inhibitors and ET1RA, and those with DU with ET1RA and IV prostanoids. In addition, 41.8% of patients were treated with ACE inhibitors and/or AT1RA. Patients registered after 2009 received significantly more often ET1RA, AT1RA, and IV prostanoids compared with patients registered prior to 2005.Conclusion.These data clearly indicate that many patients with SSc do not yet receive sufficient vasoactive therapy. Further, in recent years, a marked change of treatment regimens can be observed.

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), significantly limiting quality of life and survival. Data on clinical correlations between lung function, SSc phenotypes and early diagnosis of pulmonary involvement are sparse. Methods: SSc patients within the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma were analyzed for the relationship of DLCO and clinical characteristics at baseline and follow up. Results: DLCO measurements were available for 1917 SSc patients with a total of 5597 clinical visits. At baseline, 64% of the patients had DLCO levels Conclusions: Impairment of DLCO is more common and more pronounced in patients with dcSSc and SSc-Overlap Syndrome compared to lcSSc. DLCO alone may be useful for diagnosing and monitoring pulmonary involvement in SSc.

We observed a case over 25 years of relapsing–remitting schizophrenic spectrum disorder, varying regarding the main symptomatology between more depressive or more schizoaffective or rather typical schizophrenic syndrome. Diseased phases were repeatedly accompanied by minor skin lesions, which were initially classified as mixed tissue disorder. Psychotic phases were waxing–waning over years. During one later relapse, skin involvement was severe, classified to likely represent an allergic reaction to psychopharmaca; this generalized exanthema remitted rapidly with cortisone treatment and azathioprine. Under continued azathioprine and low dose neuroleptics, the patient remitted completely, appearing psychiatrically healthy for 16 years. When azathioprine was set off due to pregnancy, an extraordinary severe relapse of schizophrenia like psychosis accompanied by most severe skin lesions developed within a few weeks, then requiring 2 years of psychiatric inpatient treatment. Finally, a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematodes plus neuropsychiatric lupus was made. A single CSF sample in 2013 showed suspicious biomarkers, matching with CSF cytokine profiling in schizophrenic and affective spectrum disorder patients and indicated mild neuroinflammation. Complex immune suppressive treatment was reinitiated short after relapse, but was only partially successful. However, surprisingly the psychosis and skin lesions remitted (in parallel) when belimumab was given (add-on). The very details of this complicated, long-term disease course are discussed also with regard to general ideas, in particular with respect to the question if this case of seemingly comorbid schizophrenia with minor autoimmunity signs represented a case of one emerging autoimmune disorder with variant manifestations systemically and within the CNS, though atypically with predominant appearance as a schizophrenia spectrum disorder.

Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic fibrosing autoimmune disease which leads to severe musculoskeletal dysfunction, disability and contractures. Little is known on the type and extent of physical therapy (PT) prescribed to SSc patients in daily practice. Objectives To determine the type and frequency of PT received by SSc patients. Methods The data of 3430 clinically well defined SSc patients registered in the database of the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis were analyzed using SPSS. Results 48,5% (1662/3430) of the patients were treated with PT. The most frequently used form of PT was lymphatic drainage (23,6%/876), followed by physical exercise therapy (22%/817) and paraffin wax bath (10,5%/389). About half of the patients (46,9%) received two or three different forms of PT simultaneously. The prescription of PT did not correlate with the SSc subtype, as 49,5% (503/1016) of dcSSc patients, 50,3% (850/1689) of lcSSc patients and 45,7% (143/313) of SSc-Overlap patients received PT. PT was significantly more often prescribed to patients with pulmonary fibrosis in 51,1% (617/1208), synovitis in 61,6% (299/485) and CK elevation in 61,1% (174/285) (p=0,001–0,029). PT did not correlate with the extent of skin fibrosis as measured by mRSS. Interestingly, patients with joint contractures (45,5%) (388/853) or tendon friction rubs (40,6%) (114/281) received significantly less often PT (p=0,006/ 0,045). Comparing the prescription of PT during the initial period 2003–2008 (49,1%; 1937/3942) with the follow up period 2009–2013 (45,3%; 2217/4899), a significant decrease of PT prescription was observed (p Conclusions Although SSc is characterized by considerable disability and restriction of motion, less than 50% of patients received PT. The significant decrease in PT prescription during recent years may reflect lack of knowledge how to prescribe PT and more restrictive insurance regulations. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background Lung involvement, i.e. interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH), is common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), significantly limiting quality of life and survival. Data on clinical correlations between lung function and clinical subsets of SSc are sparse. Objectives To investigate the relationship of DLCO and clinical characteristics in patients SSc patients within the registry of the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma. Methods Clinical data of the patient registry, currently including DLCO data of 1917 patients were evaluated. In total, these patients were clinically evaluated 5997 times (i.e., at the first visit and during follow-up visits). At the initial visit and during follow-up DLCO levels were correlated with clinical characteristics. Results At initial presentation, 64% of the patients had DLCO levels CI 1.7–2.5) and SSc-Overlap patients (OR, 1.55; p Conclusions Impairment of pulmonary function as determined by diffusing capacity DLCO is more common and more pronounced in patients with dcSSc and SSc-Overlap Syndrome compared to lcSSc. DLCO may be useful for diagnosing and monitoring pulmonary involvement in SSc. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background Current treatment of bullous pemphigoid (BP) is based on the long-term use of topical and/or systemic corticosteroids associated with a high rate of adverse events and increased mortality. Objective To study the corticosteroid-sparing potential of azathioprine and dapsone. Method A prospective, multicenter, randomized, non-blinded clinical trial that compares efficacy and safety of two parallel groups of BP patients treated with oral methylprednisolone 0.5 mg/kg/d in combination with either azathioprine 1.5-2.5 mg/kg/d or dapsone 1.5 mg/kg/d. Nine German and Austrian departments of dermatology included 54 patients based on clinical lesions, positive direct immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy and detection of serum autoantibodies by indirect IF microscopy, immunoblotting or ELISA. The primary end point was time until complete tapering of methylprednisolone, the most important secondary end point the cumulative corticosteroid dose. Results In eight patients (5 azathioprine, 3 dapsone), methylprednisolone could be discontinued after a median time of 251 days in the azathioprine and 81 days in the dapsone group. The median cumulative corticosteroid dose was 2,654 mg for azathioprine compared to 1,917 mg for dapsone (p=0.06). The median number of days when corticosteroids were applied was 148 and 51, respectively (p=0.24). No significant difference in the number of adverse events was seen between the treatment arms. Four patients (8%) died within the observation period of 12 months. Conclusions Due to the lower than intended number of patients, results of primary and secondary endpoints were not or only barely significant. Dapsone appeared to have a moderately higher corticosteroid-sparing potential compared to azathioprine. The combination regimen of both drugs with oral methylprednisolone is associated with a relatively low one-year mortality in this vulnerable patient population. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

// Ioana Cosgarea 1 , Selma Ugurel 1 , Antje Sucker 1 , Elisabeth Livingstone 1 , Lisa Zimmer 1 , Mirjana Ziemer 2 , Jochen Utikal 3 , Peter Mohr 4 , Christiane Pfeiffer 5 , Claudia Pfohler 6 , Uwe Hillen 1 , Susanne Horn 1 , Dirk Schadendorf 1 , Klaus G. Griewank 1, * and Alexander Roesch 1, * 1 Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, West German Cancer Center, University Duisburg-Essen and the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg/Essen, Germany 2 Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany 3 Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany 4 Department of Dermatology, Elbe Klinikum Buxtehude, Buxtehude, Germany 5 Department of Dermatology, Klinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany 6 Department of Dermatology, Saarland University Medical School, Homburg/Saar, Germany * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Klaus G. Griewank, email: klaus.griewank@uk-essen.de Alexander Roesch, email: alexander.roesch@uk-essen.de Keywords: mucosal melanoma, NF1 , RAS , sequencing, melanoma Received: December 28, 2016 Accepted: February 15, 2017 Published: March 24, 2017 ABSTRACT Purpose: Mucosal melanoma represents ~1% of all melanomas, frequently having a poor prognosis due to diagnosis at a late stage of disease. Mucosal melanoma differs from cutaneous melanoma not only in terms of poorer clinical outcome but also on the molecular level having e.g. less BRAF and more frequent KIT mutations than cutaneous melanomas. For the majority of mucosal melanomas oncogenic driver mutations remain unknown. Experimental Design and Results: In our study, 75 tumor tissues from patients diagnosed with mucosal melanoma were analyzed, applying a targeted next generation sequencing panel covering 29 known recurrently mutated genes in melanoma. NF1 and RAS mutations were identified as the most frequently mutated genes occurring in 18.3% and 16.9% of samples, respectively. Mutations in BRAF were identified in 8.4% and KIT in 7.0% of tumor samples. Conclusions: Our study identifies NF1 as the most frequently occurring driver mutation in mucosal melanoma. RAS alterations, consisting of NRAS and KRAS mutations, were the second most frequent mutation type. BRAF and KIT mutations were rare with frequencies below 10% each. Our data indicate that in mucosal melanomas RAS / NF1 alterations are frequent, implying a significant pathogenetic role for MAPK and potentially PI3K pathway activation in these tumors.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc)-overlap syndromes are a very heterogeneous and remarkable subgroup of SSc-patients, who present at least two connective tissue diseases (CTD) at the same time, usually with a specific autoantibody status. Objectives: To determine whether patients, classified as overlap syndromes, show a disease course different from patients with limited SSc (lcSSc) or diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc). Methods: The data of 3240 prospectively included patients, registered in the database of the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma and followed between 2003 and 2013, were analysed. Results: Among 3240 registered patients, 10% were diagnosed as SSc-overlap syndrome. Of these, 82.5% were female. SSc-overlap patients had a mean age of 48±1.2 years and carried significantly more often ‘other antibodies’ (68.0%; p

Summary Background: No consistent data are available on the currently employed diagnostic tools for autoimmune bullous diseases in Germany. The aim of this survey was to describe currently performed diagnostic methods for bullous autoimmune diseases in German dermatology departments. Methods: A standardized questionnaire evaluated the available diagnostic methods i. e. direct immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM), indirect IFM, commercial ELISA systems, and non-commercial serological tests as well as the number of samples per year in all 34 university and 39 non-university dermatology departments. Results: The overall return rate was 89 %, 100 % and 79 % for the university and non-university departments, respectively. Direct IFM was the most frequently used method and was applied in 98 % of the responding departments. In 74 % of the responding departments, indirect IFM was used mainly on monkey esophagus and human salt-split skin. Commercial ELISA systems were employed in 58 % of the clinics; all of them used anti-desmoglein ELISA, while anti-BP180 and anti-BP230 ELISA were established in 49 % and 48 % of departments, respectively. Non-commercial analytic methods were only performed in 22 % of the departments. Conclusions: The high return rate of this survey allows a relatively precise description of the current diagnostic methods used in German dermatology departments. Standard diagnostic tests are available nationwide and in bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus, the antigen-specific detection of autoantibodies is routinely performed in half of the departments. Rare disorders may be diagnosed by cooperation with some specialized centers.

Summary Eosinophils contribute to the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid (BP) by secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and proteases. Trafficking of eosinophils into tissue in animal models and asthma depends on interleukin-5 and a family of chemokines named eotaxins, comprising CCL11, CCL24 and CCL26. Up-regulation of CCL11 has been described in BP, but the expression of the other two members of the eotaxin-family, CCL24 and CCL26, has not been investigated. In addition to these chemokines, expression of adhesion molecules associated with eosinophil migration to the skin should be analysed. We demonstrate that similar to CCL11, the concentration of CCL26 was up-regulated in serum and blister fluid of BP patients. In contrast, the concentration of CCL24 was not elevated in sera and blister fluid of the same BP patients. In lesional skin, CCL11 and CCL26 were detected in epidermis and dermis by immunohistochemistry. In contrast to CCL11, CCL26 was expressed strongly by endothelial cells. In line with these findings, eosinophils represented the dominating cell population in BP lesional skin outnumbering other leucocytes. The percentage of eosinophils expressing very late antigen (VLA): VLA-4 (CD49d) and CD11c correlated with their quantity in tissue. Macrophage antigen (MAC)-1 (CD11b/CD18) was expressed constitutively by tissue eosinophils. In conclusion, these data link the up-regulation of the eosinophil chemotactic factor CCL26 in BP to the lesional accumulation of activated eosinophils in the skin. Thereby they broaden the understanding of BP pathogenesis and might indicate new options for therapeutic intervention.

Summary Background The autoimmune skin disease bullous pemphigoid (BP) is characterized by subepidermal blister formation and a strong dermal infiltrate of mononuclear cells and eosinophils as well as a T-helper (Th) 2-dominated cytokine milieu. CCL18 is a chemokine, with unknown receptor counterpart, frequently associated with inflammatory Th2-type responses. Objectives The study was performed to investigate an association of CCL18 with BP. Methods CCL18 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum and blister fluid of patients with BP, pemphigus vulgaris and healthy individuals. In vitro chemotaxis assays were performed to demonstrate migration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to BP blister fluid. Immunohistology and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate CCL18 expression in skin. Results We have found that the levels of CCL18 in sera from patients with BP are 84% higher than those normally observed in healthy individuals. In addition, blister fluid of patients with BP is extremely rich in CCL18, reaching concentrations which are fivefold and sevenfold higher than those found in the sera of patients with BP and healthy individuals, respectively. Using immunofluorescence techniques we identified Langerhans cells, antigen-presenting cells of the dermis and eosinophils as producers of CCL18 in BP skin. We studied the possibility of using CCL18 expression as a biomarker linked to BP by monitoring the serum levels of CCL18 and the disease course of nine patients with BP over a maximum period of 54 months. In this study, CCL18 levels correlated with the disease course in most of the patients. Conclusions Our data implicate CCL18 as a functionally relevant chemokine in BP, mediating recruitment of blood mononuclear cells into the hallmark infiltrated skin lesion. The high correlation of CCL18 expression and BP disease suggests that blood levels of this chemokine can be used as an easy method to monitor disease progression and/or efficacy of therapeutic interventions.

Objective. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, heterogeneous disease, which affects different organs and therefore requires interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic management. To improve the detection and follow-up of patients presenting with different disease manifestations, an interdisciplinary registry was founded with contributions from different subspecialties involved in the care of patients with SSc. Methods. A questionnaire was developed to collect a core set of clinical data to determine the current disease status. Patients were grouped into five descriptive disease subsets, i.e. lcSSc, dcSSc, SSc sine scleroderma, overlap-syndrome and UCTD with scleroderma features. Results. Of the 1483 patients, 45.5% of patients had lcSSc and 32.7% dcSSc. Overlap syndrome was diagnosed in 10.9% of patients, while 8.8% had an undifferentiated form. SSc sine scleroderma was present in 1.5% of patients. Organ involvement was markedly different between subsets; pulmonary fibrosis for instance was significantly more frequent in dcSSc (56.1%) than in overlap syndrome (30.6%) or lcSSc (20.8%). Pulmonary hypertension was more common in dcSSc (18.5%) compared with lcSSc (14.9%), overlap syndrome (8.2%) and undifferentiated disease (4.1%). Musculoskeletal involvement was typical for overlap syndromes (67.6%). A family history of rheumatic disease was reported in 17.2% of patients and was associated with early disease onset (P < 0.005). Conclusion. In this nationwide register, a descriptive classification of patients with disease manifestations characteristic of SSc in five groups allows to include a broader spectrum of patients with features of SSc.

The diagnosis and therapy of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is demanding due to its nature as a multisystem disease and its chronic, severe course. To date, there are no generally accepted recommendations for diagnostic work-up either for the time of initial disease diagnosis or for the regular follow-up clinical examinations and diagnostic procedures required. However, due to recent advances, e.g. in the therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension, regular examinations may contribute to early recognition and treatment of developing organ involvement. This manuscript describes the recommendations for initial and follow-up organ-specific clinical examinations and diagnostic work-up as compiled and carried out by the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma [Deutsche Netzwerk fur systemische Sklerodermie (DNSS)].

Chemokine haben komplexe Funktionen bei der Entwicklung des entzundlichen Infiltrats der atopischen Dermatitis (AD). Sie vermitteln die Adhasion von T-Zellen, antigenprasentierenden Zellen und Eosinophilen an die Endothelien des dermalen Gefasplexus. Bei AD werden in Abhangigkeit vom Zytokinmilieu verschiedene Chemokine im Bindegewebe bzw. von gewebsstandigen Zellen der Dermis und Epidermis prasentiert, die durch Interaktion mit den spezifischen Rezeptoren auf Immunzellen eine ortliche und funktionelle Differenzierung des Entzundungsinfiltrats bewirken. Die Chemokine bilden dabei ein komplexes interzellulares Informationsnetzwerk. Die genaue Kenntnis des Kommunikationssystems auf Basis der Chemokine sollte uns in Zukunft Moglichkeiten der gezielten Diagnostik und therapeutischen Intervention bieten. Es ist denkbar, eine medikamentose Blockade einzelner Chemokinkaskaden zur Rekrutierung von T-Zellen, dendritischen Zellen oder Eosinophilen vorzunehmen und dadurch den Circulus vitiosus der chronischen stationaren Entzundung zu unterbrechen.