Human papillomavirus and post-transplant cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma: a multicenter, prospective cohort study

Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) have a 100‐fold increased risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). We prospectively evaluated the association between β genus human papillomaviruses (βPV) and keratinocyte carcinoma in OTRs. Two OTR cohorts without cSCC were assembled: cohort 1 was transplanted in 2003‐2006 (n = 274) and cohort 2 was transplanted in 1986‐2002 (n = 352). Participants were followed until death or cessation of follow‐up in 2016. βPV infection was assessed in eyebrow hair by using polymerase chain reaction–based methods. βPV IgG seroresponses were determined with multiplex serology. A competing risk model with delayed entry was used to estimate cumulative incidence of histologically proven cSCC and the effect of βPV by using a multivariable Cox regression model. Results are reported as adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). OTRs with 5 or more different βPV types in eyebrow hair had 1.7 times the risk of cSCC vs OTRs with 0 to 4 different types (HR 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1‐2.6). A similar risk was seen with high βPV loads (HR 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2‐2.8). No significant associations were seen between serum antibodies and cSCC or between βPV and basal cell carcinoma. The diversity and load of βPV types in eyebrow hair are associated with cSCC risk in OTRs, providing evidence that βPV is associated with cSCC carcinogenesis and may present a target for future preventive strategies

Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis and Skin Field Cancerization: Clinical and High-Frequency Ultrasound Evaluation

Introduction: Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been clinically demonstrated to be an effective treatment for actinic keratosis (AK) in a number of case series. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of CAP in the treatment of multiple AKs and assessed morphological changes induced on the skin field of cancerization both clinically and by high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS). Methods: Patients with multiple grade I–II AKs of the scalp and/or face who were resistant or intolerant to conventional field-directed treatments were enrolled. CAP treatments were performed using a microwave-driven argon plasma jet. At baseline and 3 months after the last CAP session, performance indexes were determined using three-dimensional digital pictures and HFUS investigations were performed on a representative Olsen grade II AK and a small spot of clinically unaffected skin within the test area. Results: Twelve patients were enrolled in the study. All clinical variables showed a statistically significant reduction after CAP. HFUS evaluation revealed that the total, epidermal and dermal thicknesses of the target AKs had not changed with treatment. CAP therapy significantly increased dermal density in both the target AK and the surrounding photodamaged skin and signficantly decreased the thickness of the subepidermal low-echogenic band in the perilesional skin, which is an ultrasound sign of photodamage. Conclusions: Cold atmospheric plasma was found to be an effective treatment for patients with multiple AKs. CAP was not followed by skin atrophy. HFUS examiniation showed the CAP improved features of chronic photodamage of the dermis of the skin underlying and surrounding the AK spots

Nested graft for chronic ulcer in scar tissue after heroin extravasation in a drug addict

Introduction: Nested graft is a surgical technique that allows to manage difficult-to-treat medical conditions such as chronic cutaneous ulcers, thanks to the high efficacy it has in reverting the fibroblasts senescence. Because of its peculiar regenerative property, nested graft is a surgical technique suitable also for the treatment of cutaneous ulcers developing on fibrotic scar tissue. Case report: We reported the case of a 45-year-old man, drug-addict, with a large ulcer on the back of the right forearm in the context of scar fibrotic tissue. This lesion resulted from a previous heroin extravasation treated with a dermo-epidermal skin graft, that was accidentally scratched away by mechanical trauma. After several therapeutic failures with topical medications, we decided to treat the ulcer performing a skin graft using the nested graft technique. No adverse events were reported by the patient during or after the surgery. At the clinical evaluation performed three years later the wound was completely healed. Conclusions: Nested graft represents a safe and easy-to-use technique that can be successfully used to treat ulcers on scar tissue, ensuring the achievement and the long-term maintenance of optimal resistance and aesthetic results

Tattoo: Ancient art and current problems

The popularity of tattoos in the today's society brings with it a significant increase of the incidence of associated cutaneous reactions. Among the several complications that may occur after a tattooing procedure, allergic and photo-allergic reactions, infections, and Koebner phenomenon are the most common ones observed. Most of these complications may be avoided by identifying, before tattooing, the presence of risk factors or comorbidities that may increase the risk of their onset

A randomized split-face clinical trial of conventional vs indoor-daylight photodynamic therapy for the treatment of multiple actinic keratosis of the face and scalp and photoaging

9noRecently, indoor daylight photodynamic therapy (idl-PDT) has been developed; however, its efficacy and tolerability remain to be assessed.restrictedrestrictedArisi, M; Rossi, M T; Spiazzi, L; Guasco Pisani, E; Venturuzzo, A; Rovati, C; Tomasi, C; Venturini, M; Calzavara-Pinton, P GArisi, M; Rossi, M T; Spiazzi, L; Guasco Pisani, E; Venturuzzo, A; Rovati, C; Tomasi, C; Venturini, M; Calzavara-Pinton, P

Human papillomavirus and posttransplantation cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a multicenter, prospective cohort study

Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) have a 100- fold increased risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). We prospectively evaluated the association between β genus human papillomaviruses (βPV) and keratinocyte carcinoma in OTRs. Two OTR cohorts without cSCC were assembled: cohort 1 was transplanted in 2003-2006 (n = 274) and cohort 2 was transplanted in 1986-2002 (n = 352). Participants were followed until death or cessation of follow-up in 2016. βPV infection was assessed in eyebrow hair by using polymerase chain reaction–based methods. βPV IgG seroresponses were determined with multiplex serology. A competing risk model with delayed entry was used to estimate cumulative incidence of histologically proven cSCC and the effect of βPV by using a multivariable Cox regression model. Results are reported as adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). OTRs with 5 or more different βPV types in eyebrow hair had 1.7 times the risk of cSCC vs OTRs with 0 to 4 different types (HR 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1- 2.6). A similar risk was seen with high βPV loads (HR 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2- 2.8). No significant associations were seen between serum antibodies and cSCC or between βPV and basal cell carcinoma. The diversity and load of βPV types in eyebrow hair are associated with cSCC risk in OTRs, providing evidence that βPV is associated with cSCC carcinogenesis and may present a target for future preventive strategies