Researchers have long believed that Propionibacterium acnes causes acne. But these bacteria are plentiful on everyone’s skin and yet not everyone gets acne, or experiences it to the same degree. Genetic sequencing recently revealed that not all P. acnes are the same; there are different strains, some of which are abundant in acne lesions and some that are…
Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is diagnosing in more than 130,000 people globally every year. But work is is done on a tool to help in its early detection; a simple, compact laser probe that can distinguish between harmless moles; and cancerous ones—in a matter of seconds. “With skin cancer, there’s a saying…
Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), Kindler syndrome (KS) and Xeroderma pigmentosum C (XPC); are three cancer‐prone genodermatoses whose causal genetic mutations; cannot fully explain, on their own, the array of associated phenotypic manifestations. Recent evidence highlights the role of the stromal microenvironment in the pathology of these disorders. A group of researchers lead by a…
Comprehensive clinical genomic testing of an adolescent patient; including whole genome sequencing, helped researchers identify mutations in a single gene that drive the most common childhood melanoma. The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital study appears as an advance online publication today in the journal Nature Medicine. Further research found that 33% of young people with spitzoid…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a proposed rule that would update regulatory requirements for most sunscreen products in the United States. This significant action is aimed at bringing nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreens that are marketed without FDA-approved applications up to date with the latest science to better ensure consumers have access to…
Atopic dermatitis, a common inflammatory skin condition also known as allergic eczema; affects nearly 20% of children, 30% of whom also have food allergies. Scientists have now found that children with both atopic dermatitis and food allergy; have structural and molecular differences in the top layers of healthy-looking skin near the eczema lesions; whereas children…
Although the role of type I interferon has been well-establishing for systemic lupus erythematosus; a type I interferon signature can be also seen in dermatomyositis; which emphasizes the importance of interferon in skin disease and opens new possibilities for therapeutic applications; according to a presentation here. “It is interesting that some of the recent data…
Melanoma patients with a history of smoking cigarettes are 40% less likely to survive their skin cancer than people who have never smoked, according to a new report funded by Cancer Research UK. The study of more than 700 melanoma patients mainly from the north of England and published today in Cancer Research provides evidence…
In an effort to reduce chronic pain, many people look for hope by paying $20 to thousands of dollars for a tube of prescription topical pain cream or gel. Now, results of a rigorous federally funded study mandated by Congress shows no statist significant statistically significant difference between relief offered by these creams and placebos,…
Transplanting a combination of non-cultured dermal cell suspension (NCDS) and epidermal cell suspension (NCES) provides better responses in patients with vitiligo, compared with NCES transplantation alone, researchers from India report. The combined transplant “may be performed in patients with shorter disease stability without waiting for 12 months or more to elapse since last clinical activity,”…
The presence of blisters is not required to make the diagnosis of pemphigoid, according to a new study of this common cutaneous autoimmune disease. “The patients with nonbullous pemphigoid often have complaints of chronic itch and could be misdiagnosed as eczema, with a potential long delay until the diagnosis of pemphigoid is made,” said Dr.…
An investigational nonsteroidal topical cream (PAC-14028, or Asivatrep) may be a safe, effective treatment for atopic dermatitis, Korean researchers suggest. The medication reportedly reduces pruritus and inflammation by blocking transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily, member 1 (TRPV1), a cation channel involved in the perception of pain. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter phase IIb trial,…