Negative HER2/neu amplification using immunohistochemistry and chromogenic in situ hybridization techniques in skin melanoma cases

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the amplification of HER-2/neu in patients with melanoma. Materials and Methods: Amplification of HER-2/neu was evaluated in a group of patients with melanoma, referred to two referral centers in Tehran, using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) techniques. Results: Forty patients with mean age 57.9±19.5 years were enrolled in this study. The most frequent type of melanoma was acral, while lower limbs were the most frequent sites. The amplification of HER2/ neu was negative in 97.5 of patients with IHC and in 100 of patients with CISH technique. Only one case (2.5) shows weak positive staining (+2) in IHC method. Fifty five percent of melanoma was ulcerative, and the most common stages of tumors were stages 4b and 3b. More than 47 of cases were in Clark level III, while the mean of Breslow thickness was 3.56±2.87 mm. The stage of the case that showed weakly positive staining (2+) in IHC was 4b. Conclusions: The amplification of HER2/neu biomarker was negative in patients with melanoma, using both CISH and IHC techniques

Pimecrolimus 1 percent cream and pulsed dye laser in treatment of a patient with reticular erythematous mucinosis syndrome

We report on the efficacy of twice daily application of pimecrolimus 1 percent cream in a 48-year-old woman with reticular erythematous mucinosis (REM) syndrome and compare its results with pulsed dye laser (PDL) on the other side of her chest and back. The patient was previously treated by hydroxychloroquine but only a fair response was observed. After application of 5 months of pimecrolimus, the lesions completely resolved and the result was comparable with the other side of her body treated by pulsed dye laser PDL. Topical pimecrolimus and pulsed dye laser appear to be effective and safe treatments for REM. © 2007 Dermatology Online Journal