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Actinic keratosis (AK) is a skin condition caused by chronic UV radiation damage and is a precursor to keratinocyte cancer. Treatment options for AK include cryotherapy, topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), imiquimod, photodynamic therapy (PDT), diclofenac, and tirbanibulin. Cryotherapy is recommended for targeted treatment, while 5-FU and imiquimod are recommended for broader treatment. PDT uses a topical photosensitizer and light activation, while diclofenac and tirbanibulin are also effective treatments. Caution is advised when using novel medications like tirbanibulin until more long-term trial data is available. Ingenol mebutate gel, previously used for AK treatment, has been withdrawn from the market due to an increased risk of non-melanocytic skin cancer. Sun protection and regular skin checks are important for immunosuppressed patients. [Extracted from the article]

The first-in-class, once daily oral therapy deucravacitinib has been PBS listed in Australia for adults with severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Deucravacitinib represents a new option for treating plaque psoriasis with its unique mechanism of action as a selective tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The propensity to metastasize is the most important prognostic indicator for solid cancers. New insights into the mechanisms of early carcinogenesis have revealed micrometastases are generated far earlier than previously thought. Evidence supports a synergistic relationship between vascular and lymphatic seeding which can occur before there is clinical evidence of a primary tumour. Early vascular seeding prepares distal sites for colonisation while regional lymphatics are co‐opted to promote facilitative cancer cell mutations. In response, the host mounts a global inflammatory and immunomodulatory response towards these cells supporting the concept that cancer is a systemic disease. Cancer staging systems should be refined to better reflect cancer cell loads in various tissue compartments while clinical perspectives should be broadened to encompass this view when approaching high‐risk cancers. Measured adjunctive therapies implemented earlier for low‐volume, in‐transit cancer offers the prospect of preventing advanced disease and the need for heroic therapeutic interventions. This review seeks to re‐appraise how we view the metastatic process for solid cancers. It will explore in‐transit metastasis in the context of high‐risk skin cancer and how it dictates disease progression. It will also discuss how these implications will influence our current staging systems and its consequences on management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD), a relapsing, inflammatory skin disease, is associated with pruritus that can negatively affect patients' quality of life. Understanding the burden of AD is critical for informing and tailoring treatment and disease management to improve patient outcomes. This study characterized global treatment patterns and the clinical, psychosocial and economic burden of moderate‐to‐severe AD. Methods: MEASURE‐AD was a cross‐sectional 28‐country study in patients with physician‐confirmed moderate‐to‐severe AD who were either receiving or eligible for systemic therapy for AD. Patients ≥12 years were enrolled between December 2019 and December 2020 while attending routine office or clinic visit. Primary outcomes included Worst Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale (WP‐NRS; range: 0–10) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; range: 0–30) and Children's DLQI (CDLQI; range: 0–30). Secondary outcomes included physician‐ and patient‐reported clinical, psychosocial and economic burden. Results: Of the 1591 patients enrolled, 1558 (1434 adults and 124 adolescents) fulfilled all patient selection criteria and were included in this analysis. Almost all patients (98.4%) in the total population were using AD medications and more than half (56%) were receiving systemic medication (15% systemic monotherapy). The most used systemic therapies were dupilumab (56.3%), systemic glucocorticoids (18.1%) and methotrexate (16.2%). Mean WP‐NRS was 5.3 in the total population, and most patients (≥55%) reported moderate‐to‐severe pruritus (WP‐NRS ≥4). Mean DLQI was 10.8 and mean CDLQI was 9.6. Secondary endpoints demonstrated substantial clinical, psychosocial, and economic burden of disease. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that patients receiving systemic therapy had lower disease burden than those not taking systemic medications. Conclusions: While systemic therapy lowers overall disease burden, patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD continue to have substantial multidimensional disease burden and uncontrolled disease. Overall, there is a need for effective disease management, including effective treatments that improve patients' psychosocial outcomes and reduce the economic burden of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the last decade, the treatment landscape for moderate–severe psoriasis has rapidly evolved. The Australasian College of Dermatologists sought to review and update previously published treatment goals for moderate–severe psoriasis. Methods: A modified Delphi approach was used. Comprehensive literature review and guideline evaluation resulted in the development of statements and other questions to establish current clinical practices. Two rounds of anonymous voting were undertaken, with a collaborative meeting held in between to discuss areas of discordance. Overall, consensus was defined as achievement of ≥75% agreement in the range 7–9 on a 9‐point scale (1 strongly disagree; 9 strongly agree). Results: Consensus was achieved on 26/29 statements in round 1 and a further 20 statements in round 2. There was strong agreement to expanding the classification/definition of psoriasis severity by including a choice of metrics, incorporating quality of life measures, and widening the scope of high‐impact sites. Consensus was also reached on revised treatment response criteria, which were then incorporated into a new treatment algorithm. There was discordance with the current requirement to undertake a trial with established systemic agents before accessing targeted therapy. Conclusion: The ability of new targeted treatment options to change the narrative in psoriasis patient care can only be properly realised if challenges to timely and equitable access are addressed. The proposed framework for the assessment, classification and management of moderate–severe psoriasis aligns with international recommendations. Its adoption into Australian clinical practice is hoped to improve treatment outcomes and patients' satisfaction with their care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on actinic keratoses (AKs), or solar keratoses, which are potentially premalignant skin lesions caused by chronic sun exposure, it also discusses the pathogenesis, risk factors, and management options for AKs and emphasizing the importance of sun protection and evidence-based treatment plans for patients.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability for computers to simulate human intelligence. In dermatology, there is substantial interest in using AI to identify skin lesions from images. Due to increasing research and interest in the use of AI, the Australasian College of Dermatologists has developed a position statement to inform its members of appropriate use of AI. This article presents the ACD Position Statement on the use of AI in dermatology, and provides explanatory information that was used to inform the development of this statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Photoageing which is caused by chronic sun exposure. It mentions some of the field therapies that can be done as the treatment including Ablative laser skin resurfacing, Fractionated laser and radiofrequency therapy, and Chemical peels. It also mentions some special considerations which should be taken when dealing with skin phototypes IV to VI.

Evaluate the use of widefield radiation therapy (RT) in the management of extensive skin field cancerization (ESFC) with/without keratinocyte cancer (KC). The National Dermatology Radiation Oncology Registry is a multidisciplinary collaboration (dermatologists and radiation oncologists). It captures disease description, prior therapies, radiation prescription, clinical effect, skin cosmesis scores, and toxicity data. This analysis included 12-month follow-up data on 89 treated fields from a subset of 83 patients. Clinical success (>90% field clearance) was 96% (ESFC, n = 63) and 88% (ESFC with KC, n = 26). Complete lesion response was seen in 96% of evaluable (n = 25) ESFC with KC. Recurrence (4/89 [5%]) and appearance of new lesions (10/89 [11%]) were minimal. Cosmetic outcome was excellent/good in 98% ESFC and 96% ESFC with KC. Grade 1–2 acute radiation dermatitis occurred in up to 80% of treated fields. The frequency of Grade 3 acute skin toxicities was low. Registry data demonstrate the potential for widefield RT to treat patients with significant skin pathology who have exhausted other therapies and require durable, minimally invasive treatment options. At 12 months, observed clinical success rates were higher than those reported for topical interventions for ESFC. Ongoing follow-up is required to determine longer term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: A range of 'field‐directed' treatments is available for the management of extensive skin field cancerization (ESFC), but to date, the only validated objective quantitative tools are limited to assessment of actinic keratoses (AKs) affecting the head. Aims: To develop a versatile quantitative instrument for objective clinical assessment of ESFC and perform initial internal validation across multiple anatomical zones. Methods: The study comprised instrument development, pilot testing and instrument refinement and two rounds of reliability and inter‐rater validation testing. The study was noninterventional and used a convenience sample of de‐identified patient photographs selected based on preset criteria. An expert panel developed the instrument and scoring system via a modified Delphi voting process. A sample of 16 healthcare professionals from multiple specialties undertook the pilot testing, and a panel of seven dermatologists were involved in validation testing. Validation was determined by assessment of overall inter‐rater agreement using Gwet chance‐corrected agreement coefficients (ACs). Results: The instrument produced, called the Method for Assessing Skin Cancer and Keratoses™ (MASCK™), comprises the Skin Field Cancerization Index (SFCIndex), derived from area of skin involvement and AKs (number and thickness), a global assessment score and a cancer‐in‐zone score, and uses Likert scales for quantitative scoring. The SFCIndex is a composite score comprising the number and thickness of AKs multiplied by area of skin involvement. ACs for the SFCIndex components, the overall SFCIndex score and the global assessment score were > 0.80 (rated 'almost perfect') while the AC for the cancer‐in‐zone metric was lower (0.33, rated 'fair'). Internal consistency was demonstrated via positive correlation between the overall SFCIndex score and the global assessment score. Conclusions: Our study found near‐perfect agreement in inter‐rater reliability when using MASCK to assess the severity of ESFC in multiple anatomical sites. Further validation of this novel instrument is planned to specifically assess its reliability, utility and feasibility in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]