Mirjam Beyeler

Detection of Melanoma Relapse: First Comparative Analysis on Imaging Techniques versus S100 Protein

Background: Early detection of melanoma recurrence is essential for the patient’s prognosis. The serum S100 level may be a useful tool to detect relapse early. Objective: To compare the efficacy of imaging techniques and serum S100 in the early detection of melanoma progression. This is the first report of a comparison of a serum marker with an imaging tool in the follow-up of melanoma patients. Methods: From 1992 to 2003, we screened 192 patients suffering from melanoma recurrence after a disease-free interval. Of those, 127 patients were identified whose S100 levels had been assessed parallel to imaging procedures. Results: Serum S100 was elevated in 37% of patients at the time of relapse. In stage III, 32% of the patients had elevated S100 levels whereas in case of progression to stage IV, 48% of the patients presented with increased S100. In 5.5% of patients, S100 was the first indicator of disease progression. Imaging procedures lead to detection of melanoma recurrence in 26.8%. Conclusion: A rising level of serum S100 is a specific and sensitive marker of melanoma progression.

Long-Term Recurrence Rate of Large and Difficult to Treat Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas after Superficial Radiotherapy

Background: Surgical excision is the gold standard for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), however its application is limited in specific cases. Superficial radiotherapy (RTx) is an alternative treatment option, but long-term follow-up data are limited. Objective: To determine the outcome of superficial RTx of cSCC in correlation to histological differentiation grade and tumor localization. Methods: The outcome of 180 large cSCCs after superficial RTx between 1960 and 2004 was retrospectively reviewed. Results: Mean tumor size was 3.5 cm2 (SD 7.5) and mean follow-up period was 4.9 years (SD 4.7). Relapse-free survival was 95.8 and 80.4% after 1 and 10 years. Two-year relapse-free survival was 94.8% for good, 88.9% for moderate and 85.7% for poor differentiated tumors. Five-year relapse-free survival was highest in cSCCs located around the eyes (100%) and cheeks (90.9%). Conclusion: Superficial RTx is an effective alternative for cSCC if surgery is difficult due to localization or concomitant disease.

Standard and experimental therapy in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.

Abstract  Cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders, characterized by the accumulation of clonal lymphocytes in the skin. Skin‐directed therapies are the preferred first‐line modalities. There are interesting new developments in topical therapy using retinoids and gene‐therapy products such as adenovirus‐ interferon (IFN)‐γ. Systemic treatment uses biologicals such as fusion molecules, monoclonal antibodies and immune response modifiers (IFNs and retinoids), and well‐tolerated antiproliferative drugs such as methotrexate. Evidence‐based treatment recommendation exists but is hampered by the lack of large multicenter randomized trials.

Kutane Lymphome: Diagnostik und Therapie

Kutane Lymphome (CL) stellen eine Akkumulation klonaler Lymphozyten in der Haut dar. Zytomorphologisch entsprechen kutane Lymphome denjenigen anderer Lokalisationen, weisen in der Regel jedoch eine bessere Prognose auf. Die Inzidenz wird auf eine Neuerkrankung pro Jahr und 100.000 Einwohner geschatzt [4]. Wichtig ist es, primar kutane Lymphome von Hautmanifestationen extrakutaner Lymphome oder Leukamien abzugrenzen. Primare CL entstehen definitionsgemass in der Haut und bleiben in der Regel uber langere Zeit (mindestens 6 Monate) auf das Hautorgan beschrankt, wahrend sekundare CL kutane Manifestationen von disseminierten, primar nodalen oder extranodalen Lymphomen darstellen [6]. 65% der primaren CL konnen den kutanen T-Zell-Lymphomen (CTCL), 25% den kutanen B-Zell-Lymphomen (CBCL) und 10% weiteren, seltenen Formen von CL zugeordnet werden.

Imiquimod Treatment In Vivo Induces Massive Skin Recruitment and Activation of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in a Disease-Independent Manner

293EBNA-B55 cells pulsed with synthetic 12-mer peptide, CTACRWKKACQR, derived from PBF. Discussion: We identified PBF as an osteosarcoma antigen recognized by autologous CTLs using the cDNA expression cloning procedure. We found that a 12-mer peptide, CTACRWKKACQR, was a minimum requirement for recognition by TcOScl-303 in the context of the HLA-B*5502. PBF is a candidate for the target of peptide-based immunotherapy.