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Summary: Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) represents the most common nonmelanoma skin cancer worldwide, affecting mainly adult, fair‐skinned individuals. The World Health Organization distinguishes aggressive and nonaggressive forms, of which prototypical variants of the latter are primary nodular and superficial BCC. Objectives: To demonstrate noninferiority of BF‐200 ALA (a nanoemulsion gel containing 5‐aminolaevulinic acid) compared with MAL (a cream containing methyl aminolaevulinate) in the treatment of nonaggressive BCC with photodynamic therapy (PDT). Noninferiority of the primary efficacy variable (overall patient complete response 12 weeks after last PDT) would be declared if the mean response for BF‐200 ALA was no worse than that for MAL, within a statistical margin of Δ = −15%. Methods: The study was a randomized, phase III trial performed in Germany and the U.K. with ongoing 5‐year follow‐up. Of 281 randomized patients, 138 were treated with BF‐200 ALA and 143 with MAL. Patients received two PDT sessions 1 week apart. Remaining lesions 12 weeks after the second PDT were retreated. Illumination was performed with a red light source (635 nm, 37 J cm−2). The results shown include clinical end points and patients’ reassessment 12 months after the last PDT. The study was registered with EudraCT (number 2013‐003241‐42). Results: Of the BF‐200 ALA‐treated patients, 93·4% were complete responders compared with 91·8% in the MAL group. The difference of means was 1·6, with a one‐sided 97·5% confidence interval of −6·5, establishing noninferiority (P < 0·0001). The results for secondary efficacy parameters were in line with the primary outcome. Recurrence rates 12 months after the last treatment were ≤ 10%. Conclusions: Treatment of nonaggressive BCC with BF‐200 ALA‐PDT is highly effective and well tolerated with proven noninferiority to MAL‐PDT. It demonstrates low recurrence rates after 1 year of follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with nodular itching lesions. UV therapy - both PUVA and NUVB - are known to clear up PN temporarily due to the antipruritic effect of UV light. However, relapse after treatment is common in PN, which means that either long-term therapy is necessary or the treatment protocols have to be optimized to minimize side-effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect that combining bath PUVA and targeted UVB 308 nm excimer radiation has on recalcitrant nodular prurigo. In a prospective trial, 22 patients with PN were treated with either PUVA alone or with a combination of PUVA and excimer UVB. The end point was complete or almost complete remission of PN. Adding a 308-nm excimer UVB to the treatment of the pruritic nodules sped up the healing process; 30% less PUVA radiation was needed. The combination of PUVA and excimer UVB in PN appears to be very efficacious. Reducing psoralen UVA doses by 30% offered long-term benefits in phototherapy of chronic recalcitrant diseases like PN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests an association between alcohol consumption and psoriasis. This relationship is still undefIned, although long-term alcohol intake influences the immune system. Interactions between T cells and keratinocyics arc important for the pat hogenesis of psoriasis. by secretion of pro- inflammatory cytokincs and growth factors in psoriatic skin. IL-I, IL-b. IL-H, [F'N-' and TGF-n are hallmark cytokines in a psoriatic cytokine network. We investigated whether ethanol influences the secretion of these cytokines using a co-culture model with keratinocytes from psoriatic patients Cu = 9) or from healthy controls In - 9). with HUT 78 lymphocytes, and determined the cytokine levels with or without ethanol treatment in the culture supernatants. `11W-n and lFN-' levels were elevated in the ethanol-treated psoriatic co-cultures, to 1 50% and 1 75% respectively. hut neither in co-cultures with keratinocytes derived from healthy control individuals nor in rnonocultures. Treatment with ethanol elevated slightly the 114-6 levels in the monocultures from psoriatic and control keratinocytes to 125% hut not in hUT 78 monocultures. In the psoriatic co-cultures. IL-6 levels were elevated in the culture supernatants to almost I 60". but the)' were not influenced by ethanol in co-cultures with control keratinoctes. The cytokine levels of IL-K or EL-I were not significantly influenced in the psoriaticmono- and co-cultures or in HIlT 78 cultures. If ethanol influences the cvtokine secretion of psoriatic keratinocytes and lILT 78 lymphocytes in co-culture conditions, these data suggest that ethanol could also influence the psoriatic cytokine network in vivo. which may explain the aggravation ol this disease in alcohol-c'onsurning psorialic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Zeitschrift Für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of British Journal of Dermatology is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)