Journal of Drugs in Dermatology articles from November 2004

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology archives from November 2004

A letter from the Editor-in-Chief.
November 1, 2004... The bi-monthly Journal of Drugs in Dermatology: New Methods and Techniques has just completed its third year of publishing stellar articles in full color with one of the shortest waiting times for a medical journal listed in Index...

Etanercept and warts.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... We recently observed the complete disappearance of extensive plantar warts after discontinuation of etanercept. We had been treating a 17-year-old female with a history of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) for extensive bilateral plantar...

Hypothesis: patients with dermatitis herpetiformis may be predisposed to depression and aggression.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... I) The relationship between low cholesterol and depression as well as aggression It has been shown that patients with low cholesterol show hypersensitivity in the detection of anger and sadness (1). Men with a lower cholesterol level have...

Eradication of basal cell cancer in an HIV positive patient with topical imiquimod.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... After having read the successful use of treating skin malignancies with topical imiquimod (Aldara 3m) I began having similar results (1). A 47-year-old (HIV positive) white male presented to my office with a five-year history of a progressive...

A novel non-thermal non-ablative full panel LED photomodulation device for reversal of photoaging: digital microscopic and clinical results in various skin types.(ARTICLES)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Photomodulation is a process that manipulates or regulates cell activity using light sources without thermal effect. Previous studies of LED photomodulation have shown skin textural improvement accompanied by increased collagen...

Extended efalizumab therapy sustains efficacy without increasing toxicity in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.(ARTICLES)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Agents that safely provide long-term control of psoriasis are needed. To determine the safety and efficacy of extended efalizumab therapy, 339 patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis received 2 mg/kg subcutaneous...

Treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis by chemodenervation of sweat glands using botulinum toxin type A.(ARTICLES)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Primary axillary hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive underarm sweating that is thought to result from localized hyperstimulation of sweat glands by cholinergic sympathetic nerve fibers. It can be...

Chronic urticaria: clinical aspects and focus on a new antihistamine, levocetirizine.(ARTICLES)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Chronic urticaria (CU) involves release of histamine from mast cells and/or basophils, which in turn promotes the classic inflammatory cascade. The resultant symptoms can severely impact sufferers' quality of life and in severe...

Facial tolerability of topical retinoid therapy.(ARTICLES)
November 1, 2004... Abstract The facial tolerability of various topical retinoids was evaluated in 253 healthy volunteers in a series of split-face, randomized, investigator-masked studies--all conducted at the same site by the same investigator. Four...

The medical uses and side effects of etanercept with a focus on cutaneous disease.(ARTICLES)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Etanercept is a dimeric fusion protein that has been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, active ankylosing spondylitis and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. It...

Medication and health care service utilization related to depressive symptoms in older adults with psoriasis.(ARTICLES)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Objective: This study examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and related medication adherence and health care costs in older adults (age [greater than or equal to] 65 years) with psoriasis. Design: Prospective...

Hyperpigmentation: a review of common treatment options.(FOCUS ON: HYPERPIGMENTATION)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Hyperpigmentation disorders are common and include a multitude of forms. They are typically divided into three large categories: dermal, epidermal, or mixed, depending on the site of abnormality. The location of the increased...

Treatment of nevus comedonicus with topical tazarotene and calcipotriene.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Nevus comedonicus is a rare developmental defect of the pilosebaceous unit. It is also thought to be a variant of epidermal nevus. Previously reported treatments include surgical excision, C[O.sup.2] laser, dermabrasion,...

A case of livedoid vasculopathy in a 22-year-old man.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2004... Abstract A 23-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of painful ulcerations and retiform scarring of his lower extremities. Skin biopsy revealed evidence of thrombotic vasculopathy. Livedoid vasculopathy is an uncommon condition...

Early and explosive development of nodular basal cell carcinoma and multiple keratoacanthomas in psoriasis patients treated with cyclosporine.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2004... Abstract The use of cyclosporine to treat psoriasis has been widely adopted since 1997, when the microemulsion form (Neoral) became available. While the causal relationship between cyclosporine and the development of malignant neoplasms...

Lichen nitidus treated with topical tacrolimus.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2004... Abstract A 32-year-old Philippino male presented to the clinic with a penile rash of 2 months duration. The rash was diagnosed as lichen nitidus and was successfully treated with the non-indicated therapy of Protopic 0.1% (Tacrolimus) for...

Allergic contact dermatitis to propolis.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2004... Abstract A 35-year-old Asian woman was referred to the dermatology clinic with a 2-week history of enlarging, fluid-filled, pruritic lesions on the right foot. The affected area had a recent history of minor trauma for which the patient...

Acrokeratosis Verruciformis of Hopf: a localized variant.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Acrokeratosis Verruciformis of Hopf (AKV) is a rare autosomal dominant genodermatosis. It usually develops during early childhood affecting both sexes equally. Typically, the lesions are warty to convex, brownish to skin-colored...

Oops! Kids don't get more sun than anyone else.(SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION UPDATE)
November 1, 2004... For years, skin cancer experts have been saying that people experience 80% of their lifetime sun exposure by the age of 18. Now, it appears that this universally promoted idea was based largely on a misinterpretation. A new multi-center study...

FDA approves Botox for hyperhidrosis.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... Allergan has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox) for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis that is refractory to topical treatments. Botox has already been approved for several other purposes...

Thermage announces approval of new indication.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... Thermage Inc announced that the FDA has cleared its radiofrequency ThermaCool[TM] device for the full-face treatment of facial rhytides. The ThermaCool system was previously approved for the treatment of periorbital wrinkles and rhytides. The...

Tazoral rejected by FDA panel for psoriasis.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... A joint advisory panel of the FDA voted against approval of Tazoral (oral tazarotene) for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in a nine to three. Reviewers on the Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug...

Immunetics, Inc., announces approval of anthrax quick ELISA test.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... Immunetics, Inc gained FDA approval for a rapid clinical laboratory test for anthrax. This rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detects anthrax-specific antibodies in the serum to inhalational or cutaneous infections within one hour of...

Col-101 enters Phase III clinical trials for rosacea.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc has started enrollment of patients in two Phase III clinical trials of Col-101, also known as Periostat MR, for the treatment of rosacea. Col-101 is a once daily, modified release formulation of 40-mg doxycycline...

Fluorouracil topical cream (Efudex) contraindicated in DPD enzyme deficiency.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... The FDA has announced revisions to the safety labeling for topical fluorouracil cream, Efudex (Valeant Pharmaceuticals International), to reflect its contraindication in patients with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency....

Infliximab associated with risk of hematologic, neurologic adverse events.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... The FDA and Centocor have announced revisions to the warnings and adverse reactions sections of drug labeling for infliximab (Remicade), according to MedWatch, the FDA's safety information and adverse event reporting system. According to the...

Blood test for the detections of antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2 (Captia HSV IgG Type Specific ELISA).(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... The FDA has approved a new test to detect serum antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2. The Captia HSV IgG Type Specific ELISA, made by Trinity Biotech, uses type-specific recombinant glycoproteins gG-1 and gG-2 to distinguish...

FDA approves MAL-PDT for actinic keratoses.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... The FDA approved the use of methyl aminolevulinate cream in combination with photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) for the treatment of nonhyperkeratotic actinic keratoses. The product is approved for actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma in most...

Clarinex syrup approved for children.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... The FDA has approved Clarinex syrup for the relief of seasonal outdoor allergy symptoms in children aged 2 and older as well as relief of indoor allergies and urticaria in infants aged six months and older. This is the only non-sedating...

Genzyme completes phase IV study of Fabrazyme for Fabry's disease.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... Genzyme has successfully completed its principal Phase IV study of Fabrazyme (recombinant alpha galactosidase beta) and performed a preliminary analysis of the results. Completing this study was one of several requirements specified by the FDA...

Atrix and Fujisawa submit NDA for topical dapsone gel in the treatment of acne vulgaris.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... Atrix Laboratories and Fujisawa Healthcare have submitted a new drug application to the FDA for Aczone Gel (5% dapsone topical gel), formerly called Atrisone, for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Aczone uses Atrix's proprietary Solvent...

NDA filed for Cellegesic ointment for the treatment of chronic anal fissures.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2004... Cellegy Pharmaceuticals Inc has filed a new drug application with the FDA for the use of Cellegesic (nitroglycerin ointment, 0.4%) for the treatment of pain associated with chronic anal fissures. In January 2004, the Company announced positive...

Response of ulcerated perineal hemangiomas of infancy to becaplermin gel, a recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2004... The author set forth to further assess the responsiveness of hemangioma ulceration to 0.01% becaplermin gel and to compare its cost to that of conventional modalities. The cohort was 8 infants with rapidly growing, ulcerating hemangiomas of the...

Lichenoid drug eruption probably associated with rofecoxib.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2004... The authors present the case of a 73-year-old woman who was prescribed rofecoxib 25 mg/day for rheumatoid arthritis. The patient developed linear plaques over the infra-orbital and bitemporal areas of both eyes and a hyperpigmented macule on...

Local neural block at the wrist for treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin: technical improvements.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2004... Wrist blockage of median and ulnar nerves before treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin (BTX-A) reduces discomfort and improves accuracy of BTX-A injections. The authors state that wrist block increases accuracy but may be...

Photo protection by thalidomide in patients with chronic cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematous: discordant effects on minimal erythema dose and sunburn cell formation.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2004... The authors describe three patients with chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) before and after treatment with thalidomide. Minimal erythematous doses were measured on all patients and compared with non-lesional skin, before and after...

Treatment of glossodynia with olanzapine.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2004... The authors present a case of a 73-year-old white male with a 6-month history of glossodynia, unresponsive to clotrimazole troches, cevimeline, triamcinolone dental paste, paroxetine, and lorazepam. The patient had restriction of social...

Tinea capitis in a dermatology center in the city of Fortaleza, brazil: the role of Trichophyton tonsurans.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2004... The authors present 944 patients that were followed during a 3-year period (March 1999 to March 2002). Cultures were performed and fungi were seen in 438 (46.4%) The percentage of positive direct microscopic examinations of the clinical...

Treatment of acne vulgaris with a pulsed dye laser. A randomized controlled trial.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2004... The authors present a randomized, single-blinded, and controlled, split-face clinical trial of a volunteer sample of 40 patients aged 13 years or older with facial acne conducted at an academic referral center. The intervention consisted of 1...

Effect of tissue ultrafiltration on skin flap survival.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2004... The authors test tissue ultrafiltration (TUF) on 20 treated animals with distal flap 24 hours after flap elevation and compared a similar graft mouse group without ultrafiltration. The study demonstrated that skin flap survival was improved in...

Melan-A: not a helpful marker in distinction between melanoma in situ on sun-damaged skin and pigmented actinic keratosis.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2004... The authors evaluated Melan-A expression in ten unequivocal cases of pigmented actinic keratosis and compared the staining pattern with that of S-100, HMB-45, and tyrosinase. The results were that in all ten cases the number of cells...

Survival of Apligraf[R] in acute human wounds.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2004... The authors present a study to evaluate the length of persistence and pathological features of ulcers under treatment with Apligraft[R]. The authors created 48 deep dermal wounds and treated them with Apligraf, a split-skin graft (SSG), or a...

T4N5 liposomal lotion in preventing the recurrence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in patients who have undergone a kidney transplant.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, National Cancer Institute (NCI) Chemoprevention therapy is the use of certain drugs to try to prevent the development or recurrence of cancer....

Celecoxib in preventing skin cancer in patients with actinic keratoses.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, National Cancer Institute (NCI) Chemoprevention therapy is the use of certain drugs to try to prevent the development or recurrence of cancer....

Cancer risk in carriers of the gene for xeroderma pigmentosum.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) This study will determine if family members of patients with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) have various abnormalities, including: skin...

Study of skin tumors in tuberous sclerosis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Tuberous sclerosis is a rare, hereditary disease in which patients develop multiple tumors. Although not cancerous, the tumors...

Serum protein patterns in participants with mycosis fungoides/cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, psoriasis, or normal skin.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) The presence of specific serum proteins may allow a doctor to determine if a patient has mycosis fungoides/cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This pilot...

Tigecycline in the treatment of selected serious infections caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Wyeth-Ayerst Research This is a phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, randomized study evaluating tigecycline and linezolid for the treatment of selected serious infections in...

Study of talabostat and cisplatin in advanced melanoma.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Point Therapeutics The purpose of this study is to assess the antitumor activity and safety of the combination of talabostat and cisplatin in patients with metastatic melanoma....

Peripheral stem cell transplantation plus monoclonal antibody therapy in treating patients with high-risk hematologic cancer, refractory breast or kidney cancer, or melanoma.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center National Cancer Institute (NCI) Peripheral stem cell transplantation replaces immune cells that were destroyed by chemotherapy which was used to...

Myositis in children.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) This study will evaluate subjects with childhood-onset myositis to learn more about their cause and the immune system...

Study of mast cell precursors.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) This study will investigate mast cell precursors that circulate in the blood. In a group of diseases collectively...

To study the use of humanized CD25 in preventing the relapse of psoriasis vulgaris.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Protein Design Labs This study is designed to study disease relapse after NBUVB and how the administration of Daclizumab/placebo alters disease relapse. Condition...

To study the effects of CD25 and low dose Cyclosporin in the treatment of active psoriasis vulgaris.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Protein Design Labs This study compares the efficacy and analyzes the cellular effects of anti-TAC (Daclizumab) and Cyclosporine in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. This is...

Phase III randomized study of oral acyclovir in infants with herpes simplex virus infection involving the central nervous system.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center This study's objectives are to: I. Determine the efficacy of long term suppressive therapy with...

Clinical, laboratory, and epidemiologic characterization of individuals and families at high risk of melanoma.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) This study will investigate how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of melanoma, a type of skin cancer, and related...

5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy: a therapeutic platform in dermatology.(A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF)
November 1, 2004... Over the last few years, many journal articles have been published highlighting the promise and potential broad clinical utility of topical 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA) Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in dermatology. Levulan[R] (20% 5-ALA from DUSA...

Treatment of sebaceous gland hyperplasia by photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid and a blue light source or intense pulsed light source.(ARTICLES)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Treatment of SGH by ALA-PDT with Blue Light Source or Intense Pulsed Light Activation. Sebaceous gland hyperplasia (SGH) lesions often present as a sign of photoaging and have proven difficult to treat. Photodynamic therapy (PDT)...

Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of acne: a pilot study.(ARTICLES)
November 1, 2004... Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with use of topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA, Levulan[R] Kerastick[R], Dusa Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Wilmington, MA) photosensitizing agent is a new modality for the treatment of acne. Eighteen patients...

The Use of a novel intense pulsed light and heat source and ALA-PDT in the treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory acne vulgaris.(ARTICLES)
November 1, 2004... Abstract The use of lasers and noncoherent light sources is becoming more commonplace in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. Topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is finding its niche as an enhancer to these laser and light sources....

Red light laser photodynamic therapy of Bowen's disease.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2004... Case Report A 68-year-old white male presented with a history of a slowly enlarging erythematous plaque on his left posterior upper arm over the past 7 years. On physical examination, the patient had a 4-cm erythematous, finely scaling,...

Laser-mediated photodynamic therapy of lichen sclerosus.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2004... Case Report Patient: J. F., 67-year-old woman Duration: Three years Distribution: Shoulders, axillae, and abdomen History The patient presented with a 3-year history of mildly itchy lesions developing on her abdomen,...