Omalizumab in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Refractory to Conventional Therapy: An Italian Retrospective Clinical Analysis with Suggestions for Long-Term Maintenance Strategies

Introduction: Omalizumab is indicated for the treatment of patients affected by chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) refractory to antihistamines. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and recurrence of symptoms in a real-life experience of omalizumab as an add-on therapy for H1-antihistamine-refractory CSU patients (refractory CSU). Methods: A retrospective review of the clinical records of all refractory CSU treated with omalizumab at our dermatology center from June 2014 to April 2017 was performed. Patients previously treated with second-generation antihistamines at a fourfold increased dose without clinical responses at 4 weeks of treatment were selected. Omalizumab was administered at a single dosage of 300 mg every 4 weeks for 6 months. Disease severity was assessed using the 7-day Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7). Results: Eighteen patients (14 women; mean age 51 years, range 25-74) were enrolled. Mean UAS7 at baseline was 27.3 (range 15-38). Symptoms improved in all patients at 4 weeks (UAS7 = 16.1, range 0-36). Treatment was completed in 17 patients (94.4%), and among these, a complete response (UAS7 = 0) was registered in 10 patients (58.8%). Adverse events included thrombocytopenia in 1 patient (5.6%) at 16 weeks; therapy was suspended after 20 weeks and the complication was resolved, resulting in a freedom from major adverse events of 94.4%. Symptom recurrence occurred in 3 patients (17.6%) at 4, 5, and 7 months from the end of the primary therapy. Retreatment with omalizumab was successful without any adverse effects. Mean follow-up was 9.5 months (range 1-28). Conclusion: Add-on omalizumab therapy for refractory CSU in a real-life setting seems to be effective and safe with a relatively low incidence of symptom recurrence. Further research should investigate personalized omalizumab treatment dosages and administration intervals, and the identification of biomarkers for future treatment algorithms

Multiphoton Laser Microscopy and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging for the Evaluation of the Skin

Multiphoton laser microscopy is a new, non-invasive technique providing access to the skin at a cellular and subcellular level, which is based both on autofluorescence and fluorescence lifetime imaging. Whereas the former considers fluorescence intensity emitted by epidermal and dermal fluorophores and by the extra-cellular matrix, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), is generated by the fluorescence decay rate. This innovative technique can be applied to the study of living skin, cell cultures and ex vivo samples. Although still limited to the clinical research field, the development of multiphoton laser microscopy is thought to become suitable for a practical application in the next few years: in this paper, we performed an accurate review of the studies published so far, considering the possible fields of application of this imaging method and providing high quality images acquired in the Department of Dermatology of the University of Modena

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Review of Pathological Mechanisms, Diagnosis, Clinical Management, and Treatment

Urticaria is a poorly understood and underestimated clinical condition characterised by the sudden onset of itchy wheals and/or angioedema, which usually resolve within 24 and 72 hours, respectively. It is generally classified as being acute (lasting <6 weeks) or chronic (continuous or intermittent for ≥6 weeks). Chronic urticaria can be further classified as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and chronic inducible urticaria, appearing in response to specific eliciting factors, such as heat, cold, or sun exposure, or following the application of pressure. Scientific advances have been made in the understanding of pathological mechanisms and treatment, especially associated with CSU. The exact pathological mechanism of how urticaria develops is still not yet fully understood, but the clinical implications on the patients' quality of life are severe and have been associated with mental disorders and metabolic diseases. The diagnosis of urticaria is based on medical history and clinical manifestations. The treatment pathway begins with the administration of second-generation, nonsedating, nonimpairing histamine 1 receptor antihistamines and, in case of nonresponse, with new-generation biological drugs. The current review presents an update of the pathological mechanisms, diagnosis, clinical management, and treatment of CSU. It also focusses on the future implications of new-generation drugs and their effects on the clinical practice

Quantitative evaluation of healthy epidermis by means of multiphoton microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

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Omalizumab in chronic spontaneous urticaria refractory to conventional therapy: an Italian retrospective clinical analysis with suggestions for long-term maintenance strategies

Introduction: Omalizumab is indicated for the treatment of patients affected by chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) refractory to antihistamines. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety and recurrence of symptoms in a real life experience of omalizumab as an add-on therapy for H1-antihistamine refractory CSU patients (refractory CSU). Material and Methods: A retrospective review of the clinical record of all refractory CSU treated with omalizumab at our Dermatology Centre from June 2014 to April 2017 was performed. Patients previously treated with second-generation antihistamines at a four-fold increased dose without clinical responses at 4 weeks of treatment were selected. Omalizumab was administered at a single dosage of 300 mg every 4 weeks for 6 months. Disease severity was assessed using the 7-day Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) index. Results: Eighteen patients (14 females; mean age 51 years, range 25-74) were enrolled. Mean UAS7 at baseline was 27.3 (range 15-38). Symptoms improved in all patients at 4 weeks (UAS7 = 16.1, range 0-36). Treatment was completed in 17 patients (94.4%), and among these, a complete response (UAS7 = 0) was registered in 10 patients (58.8%). Adverse events included thrombocytopenia in 1 patient (5.6%) at 16 weeks; therapy was suspended at 21 weeks and the complication was resolved, resulting in a freedom from major adverse events of 94.4%. Symptom recurrence occurred in 3 patients (17.6%) at 4, 5 and 7 months from the end of the primary therapy. Retreatment with omalizumab was successful without any adverse effects. Mean follow-up was 9.5 months (range 1-28). Discussion: Add-on omalizumab therapy for refractory CSU in a real life setting seems to be effective and safe with a relatively low incidence of symptom recurrence. Further research should investigate personalized omalizumab treatment dosages and administration intervals, and the identification of biomarkers for future treatment algorithms

A Novel Multi-Action Emollient Plus Cream Improves Skin Barrier Function in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: In vitro and Clinical Evidence

Emollients capable of restoring the skin barrier function would extend their role beyond basic maintenance therapy in atopic dermatitis (AD)

Omalizumab in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Refractory to Conventional Therapy: An Italian Retrospective Clinical Analysis with Suggestions for Long-term Maintenance Strategies

<p><b> </b></p> <p></p><p><b>Article full text</b></p> <p><br></p> <p>The full text of this article can be found here<b>. </b><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-018-0240-7">https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-018-0240-7</a></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p><br></p> <p><b>Provide enhanced content for this article</b></p> <p><br></p> <p>If you are an author of this publication and would like to provide additional enhanced content for your article then please contact <a href="http://www.medengine.com/Redeem/”mailto:[email protected]”"><b>[email protected]</b></a>.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The journal offers a range of additional features designed to increase visibility and readership. All features will be thoroughly peer reviewed to ensure the content is of the highest scientific standard and all features are marked as ‘peer reviewed’ to ensure readers are aware that the content has been reviewed to the same level as the articles they are being presented alongside. Moreover, all sponsorship and disclosure information is included to provide complete transparency and adherence to good publication practices. This ensures that however the content is reached the reader has a full understanding of its origin. No fees are charged for hosting additional open access content.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Other enhanced features include, but are not limited to:</p> <p><br></p> <p>• Slide decks</p> <p>• Videos and animations</p> <p>• Audio abstracts</p> <p>• Audio slides</p><br><p></p

L'idea di resistenza (estetica) nella Teoria estetica di Adorno.

Il testo affronta il tema della resistenza estetica rispetto al concetto adorniano di autonomia. Il tema della resistenza si incrocia con quello del paradigma di arte borghese nell’ambiguità che questa presenta tra l’essere arte pura ed essere arte di intrattenimento. L’idea di resistenza estetica si affianca a quella di arte incerta e conferma le linee generali del carattere ancipite dell’arte quale espressione di un’arte autonoma nel suo essere antitesi sociale della società. La resistenza estetica è propria di un’arte che si oppone al vigente dell’industria culturale e dell’intrattenimento e, nello steso tempo, al rifugiarsi dell’arte nell’ideale di un’arte pura quale espressione della neutralizzazione e della repressione risultato del fallimento della Kultur