Journal of Drugs in Dermatology articles from September 2004

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology archives from September 2004

A letter from the guest editor.
September 1, 2004... The incidence of skin cancer continues to increase at an alarming pace, and will occupy a significant portion of dermatologic practice in the foreseeable future. In the face of this epidemic of skin cancer, our preventative and therapeutic...

Efficacy and irritation in the treatment of actinic keratosis with topical 5-fluorouracil.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)
September 1, 2004... We have read with interest the article by Jorizzo about the treatment of actinic keratoses with topical 0.5% 5-fluorouracil in an optimized vehicle (1). With the intermittent use of a standard 5% 5-fluorouracil cream (Efudix) (2), we have...

Practice pearl: gargling with cholinergic ophthalmic drops for treating the oral lesions of pemphigus vulgaris.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)
September 1, 2004... Painful oral lesions are seen in almost all patients with pemphigus vulgaris and are the presenting complaint in 50-70% of patients (1). Mucosal lesions are very recalcitrant. often healing after skin lesions when immunosuppressive therapy is...

Computerized image analysis of nails affected by fungal infection: evaluation using digital photographs and manually defined areas.(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Despite the relevant increase in clinical trials on the efficacy of various systemic and/or topical antifungal agents in onychomycosis therapy, the evaluation of the results is largely subjective. The aim of this study was to set...

Oral isotretinoin in the treatment and prevention of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Abstract The clinical uses of oral isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) are many. They include treatment of acneiform eruptions, diseases of cornification, inflammatory disorders, and neoplastic processes. Isotretinoin has shown greater...

Primary prevention efforts for melanoma.(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Introduction The incidence and mortality of malignant melanoma is increasing at alarming rate. Over 58,000 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2003 and nearly 10,000 lives will be lost (1). Melanoma often affects young adults,...

The excimer lasers.(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Abstract The excimer lasers are a group of lasers that have found wide application in a variety of medical fields including dermatology, cardiology, ophthalmology, and orthopedics. The word excimer refers to excited dimer. These lasers...

Immunomodulators for skin cancer.(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Therapeutic interventions to augment tumor antigenicity or increase the host's immune response against cancer cells include recombinant cytokines, immune modulators, vaccination with tumor antigens, T cell-based immunotherapy, and...

Facial enhancement and the European experience with Sculptra[TM] (poly-L-lactic acid).(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Abstract The primary reason patients seek aesthetic treatments is to combat the signs of aging. However, the majority of facial treatments and procedures fill specific wrinkles or pull-taught sagging skin, without returning the volume and...

Laser-mediated photodynamic therapy of actinic cheilitis.(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a common precancerous condition for which a safe, effective, rapid, and cosmetically favorable treatment is needed. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the long-pulsed...

Prednicarbate (Dermatop[R]): a review.(FOCUS ON: PREDNICARBATE)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Prednicarbate is a non-halogenated, double-ester derivative of prednisolone that has become of interest for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, for example atopic dermatitis. In the past, topical steroids have been a...

Flexural Bazex syndrome associated with tonsillar adenocarcinoma.(CASE REPORTS)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Bazex Syndrome (acrokeratosis paraneoplastica) is characterized by a psoriasiform skin eruption that favors acral sites and has been associated with underlying malignancy in all reported cases. Squamous cell carcinoma of the upper...

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease with various pigmentary patterns: a study of three patients.(CASE REPORTS)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is a condition characterized by the presence of clinical manifestations suggestive of a connective tissue disease and at least one non-organ specific autoantibody. In this report I...

Steroid-free pimecrolimus (Elidel) for monotherapy of lichen planus.(CASE REPORTS)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Lichen planus (LP) is a disease distinguished by pruitic violaceous planar papules containing reticulated white striae. It can occur just about anywhere, but most commonly occurs in the mouth, genital, and distal extremity areas....

Inflammation of seborrheic keratoses caused by cytarabine: a pseudo sign of Leser-Trelat.(CASE REPORTS)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Cytarabine, used for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia, can cause a rare reaction of inflammation of existing seborrheic keratoses. We report a case of cytarabine induced inflammation of seborrheic keratoses mimicking a...

Acneiform eruption induced by Iressa (gefitinib) tablets used to treat non-small cell lung cancer.(CASE REPORTS)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Many medications have been reported to induce acneiform eruptions. A relatively new chemotherapy drug, gefitinib (Iressa), approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2003 for the treatment of advanced-stage non-small cell...

Unilateral trichomegaly induced by bimatoprost ophthalmic solution.(CASE REPORTS)
September 1, 2004... Abstract In this report, we describe the case of an 80-year-old woman with unilateral trichomegaly. ********** Case Report An 80-year-old woman has been followed in this practice for fifteen years for the treatment of non...

The BRAF gene is frequently mutated in malignant melanoma.(SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION UPDATE)
September 1, 2004... Cancers arise due to the accumulation of mutations in critical genes that alter the normal programs of cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. Identifying all the mutations and the genes in which they occur in the full spectrum of human...

FDA approves imiquimod for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
September 1, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of a new indication for Aldara (imiquimod) topical cream. Aldara cream is manufactured by 3M Pharmaceuticals of St. Paul, Minnesota. Although its exact mechanism of action is unknown, it...

Hylaform (hylan B) gel approved for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
September 1, 2004... The FDA has granted approval for Hylaform (hylan B) gel. manufactured by Genzyme Corporation, for the temporary correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles. The filler is indicated for injection into the mid to deep dermis. Hylaform gel is...

Fluticasone cream generic gains tentative approval.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
September 1, 2004... The FDA granted Atrix Laboratories tentative approval of the Abbreviated New Drug Application to market fluticasone propionate cream 0.05%. The new generic product is therapeutically bioequivalent to Cutivate, which is marketed by...

Acambis announces halt of smallpox vaccine trial.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
September 1, 2004... Acambis has announced suspension of additional recruitment of subjects into a phase III trial of ACAM2000 smallpox vaccine after three suspected myopericarditis cases were discovered. An ongoing investigation is occurring to determine if there...

Psoraxine enters phase II studies for moderate to severe psoriasis.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
September 1, 2004... Psoraxine (AS210) is a protein extract of Leishmania and represents an innovative approach to the treatment of psoriasis, as it appears to act through a mechanism of immuno-stimulation in contrast to the immunosuppressive effects of many...

Aesgen completes phase III trial of Saforis (AES-14) in the treatment of oral mucositis.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
September 1, 2004... In June 2004, Aesgen announced positive phase III results of their study of Saforis in the treatment of oral mucositis in cancer patients. Oral mucositis is a frequent side effect of standard chemotherapy and radiation treatment in cancer...

Pharming enters phase III trials for rhC1INH for hereditary angioedema.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
September 1, 2004... Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare but serious condition that manifests as potentially life-threatening angioedema. It is an autosomal dominant disorder manifested by painless, nonpruritic swelling of the skin. Type I HAE is defined by low...

FDA reports adverse events associated with "permanent makeup".(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
September 1, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting the public and practitioners about adverse events associated with individuals who have undergone certain micropigmentation procedures, a form of tattooing, used to apply "permanent makeup" for...

Liarozole receives FDA Orphan Drug status for ichythyosis.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
September 1, 2004... Barrier Therapeutics announced that oral Liarozole has received Orphan Drug status from the FDA for the treatment of inherited ichthyosis. Liarozole belongs to a novel class of molecules known as retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents, or...

FDA clears marketing of commercial leeches for medicinal purposes.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
September 1, 2004... The FDA has cleared the commercial marketing of leeches for medicinal purposes by Ricarimpex SAS, a French firm that has been breeding the leeches in a certified facility for 150 years. According to the FDA, leeches meet the definition of a...

Enoxaparin sodium-induced bullous pemphigoid-like eruption: a report of two cases.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
September 1, 2004... The authors present a 62-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man whom developed paralysis of their lower extremities secondary to epidermal hematomas overlying their spinal cords. The women developed a bulla on her buttock six days after her...

Effect of a one-week treatment with 0.5% topical fluorouracil on occurrence of actinic keratosis after cryosurgery. A randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical trial.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
September 1, 2004... The authors set forth to determine the six-month outcome of a one-week course of 0.5% fluorouracil followed by cryosurgery for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). The study is double blinded, prospective, multicenter, randomized, and...

Leflunomide as a novel treatment option in severe atopic dermatitis.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
September 1, 2004... The authors set forth a study of two patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD), recalcitrant for 20 months with leflunomide. At regular visits physical examination, eczema area and severity index (EASI), visual analogue scale (VAS) for...

Levamisole in dermatology: a review.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
September 1, 2004... Levamisole has been successfully used as an anti-helmithic (nematodes), anti-viral and anti-bacterial (brucellosis) and leprosy. Other disorders are collagen vascular diseases, inflammatory skin diseases and children with impaired immune a...

Hair loss after rhytidectomy.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
September 1, 2004... The authors report temporal hair loss in patients after rhytidectomy. The objective was to illustrate the microscopic findings seen in the affected area of hair loss after rhytidectomy. The study presents a two punch biopsy on the areas...

Photodynamic therapy in treating patients with skin cancer.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Roswell Park Cancer Institute Photodynamic therapy uses light and drugs that make cancer cells more sensitive to light to kill tumor cells. Photodynamic therapy using...

ZD1839 (iressa) for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Patients will receive 250 mg ZD 1839 daily by mouth (1 course = 4 weeks). Patients will receive 6 courses of treatment. A patient may continue to...

Topical imiquimod compared with surgery in treating patients with basal cell skin cancer.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Cancer Research UK Biological therapies such as imiquimod use different ways to stimulate the immune system and stop cancer cells from growing. It is not yet known if topical...

Follow-up protocol for patients with cancer/AIDS/skin disease.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) This protocol is to provide follow-up medical/surgical visits for DCS patients who are long term survivors and may not currently be a participant...

Study of psoriatic arthritis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) This study will examine the genetic and immune factors involved in the cause and development of...

Natural history and cause of neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) This study will examine and test patients with neonatal onset multi-system inflammatory disease...

Anakinra to treat patients with neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of anakinra (Kineret[R]) for treating...

Infliximab (Remicade[R]) to treat dermatomyositis and polymyositis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) This study will examine whether infliximab (Remicade[R]) is safe and effective for the treatment of...

Study and treatment of inflammatory muscle diseases.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) This study of inflammatory muscle diseases-polymyositis and dermatomyositis and related...

Celecoxib in preventing skin cancer in patients with actinic keratoses.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 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....

Phase II randomized trial of arginine butyrate plus standard local therapy in patients with refractory sickle cell ulcers.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by FDA Office of Orphan Products Development Boston University School of Medicine This study will compare the efficacy of local care alone versus local care plus arginine butyrate...

Phase II trial of Allovectin-7[R], for metastatic melanoma.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
September 1, 2004... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Vical The purpose of this clinical trial is to determine if Allovectin-7[R], an experimental gene-based immunotherapy, can shrink melanoma tumors. The trial will also examine if...

Combination therapy in clinical and cosmetic dermatology: the marriage of device and drug.(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Abstract The first generations of lasers used in clinical and cosmetic dermatology achieved their effects by means of epidermal and dermal ablation. While effective in removing some of the stigmata of photodamage including pigmentary...

Advances in the topical treatment of acne and rosacea.(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Acne and rosacea are common skin diseases which may present similarly and both involve inflammation. Both can result in significant cosmetic impairment and lead to quality of life decrements if not optimally treated. The...

Combination therapy for solar lentigines.(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Solar lentigines are benign, hyperpigmented lesions that present a significant cosmetic nuisance for many middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic accumulated sun exposure. While previous monotherapies designed to lighten...

Utilizing combination therapy to optimize melasma outcomes.(ARTICLES)
September 1, 2004... Abstract Melasma is a chronic and recurrent disorder. It has been underdiagnosed and undertreated due to lack of effective therapies and the perception that it is merely a cosmetic nuisance. Hydroquinone, corticosteroids, licorice extracts...