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J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020 Jun 1;49(1):33. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital, University of Western Ontario, 800 Commissioners Road E, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada.

Background: Hydrogen peroxide (HO) is a product of respiration in mitochondria and an important oxidizing agent in biological systems. Previous investigations have shown the efficacy of HO in treating skin conditions such as seborrheic keratosis and actinic keratosis. In an area like the face, reconstruction of excision defects and ultimately aesthetic outcomes are of utmost importance. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jun 1;10(1):8863. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

The precise role of pre-mRNA processing factors (PRPs) in human tumorigenesis has not been yet explored. The object of the present study was to explore the effects of PRP3 in a common metastatic skin cancer, keratinocyte-derived cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCCs). RT-qPCR and western blotting were conducted to measure the expression levels of PRP3 in various cSCC cell lines and cSCC tissues. Read More

Nat Commun 2020 Jun 1;11(1):2711. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research - Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.

p16 (CDKN2A) is a central tumor suppressor, which induces cell-cycle arrest and senescence. Cells expressing p16 accumulate in aging tissues and appear in premalignant lesions, yet their physiologic effects are poorly understood. We found that prolonged expression of transgenic p16 in the mouse epidermis induces hyperplasia and dysplasia, involving high proliferation rates of keratinocytes not expressing the transgene. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2020 Jun 1:e13744. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Centro Oncologico ad Alta Tecnologia Diagnostica, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale - IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Recently 5-fluorouracil 0.5% / salicylic acid 10% (5-FU/SA) topical solution has been included in the National Italian portfolio for lesion-directed treatment of grade I/II actinic keratosis (AKs) located on the face or scalp. To describe the utility of dermoscopy and RCM in treatment response monitoring of a series of AKs treated with 5-FU/SA as lesion-directed therapy. Read More

Hautarzt 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Hautklinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland.

The S3 guideline "Actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin" was published on 30 June 2019. Subsequently, publications, reviews and meta-analyses appeared with new questions regarding the comparability of study data and heterogeneity of the evaluations, which are caused, among other things, by divergent measurement parameters as well as insufficient consideration of pretreatments and combined treatments. This concise overview was written in the context of criticism and in view of necessary developments and research. Read More

Hautarzt 2020 May 28. Epub 2020 May 28.

Hautklinik - Internistisches Zentrum, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland.

Actinic keratoses (AK) are common precancerous cutaneous lesions in fair-skinned individuals as a result of cumulative exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Due to their high prevalence, AK account for a large disease burden, in particular in older persons. As AK may potentially progress into invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, guidelines recommend early and consequent treatment. Read More

Mod Pathol 2020 May 27. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Although squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are the most frequent human solid tumor at many anatomic sites, the driving molecular alterations underlying their progression from precursor lesions are poorly understood, especially in the context of photodamage. Therefore, we used high-depth, targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of RNA and DNA from routine tissue samples to characterize the progression of both well- (cutaneous) and poorly (ocular) studied SCCs. We assessed 56 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cutaneous lesions (n = 8 actinic keratosis, n = 30 carcinoma in situ [CIS], n = 18 invasive) and 43 FFPE ocular surface lesions (n = 2 conjunctival/corneal intraepithelial neoplasia, n = 20 CIS, n = 21 invasive), from institutions in the US and Brazil. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2020 May 25. Epub 2020 May 25.

Department of Dermatology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020 May 26. Epub 2020 May 26.

Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

Background: The current histopathological classifications for actinic keratosis (AK) are subjective and histopathological factors predicting the progression into invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remain unclear.

Objectives: To quantitatively assess the histopathological findings of AK and to investigate the predisposing factors for malignant transformation of AK.

Methods: A total of 502 AK specimens were retrospectively reviewed. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2020 May 19:e13621. Epub 2020 May 19.

Department of Dermatology, Venerology, Allergology Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.

The term field cancerization was proposed by Slaughter in 1953 to describe multifocal neoplastic lesions in the oral mucosa. Currently, it is well know that field cancerization can occur also in the skin. There is no one, universal and generally accepted management for the patients with multiple actinic kerastosis and field cancerization. Read More

Australas J Dermatol 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.

Objectives: The study examines the changes in dermoscopic features of actinic keratosis (AK) after photodynamic therapy, and delineates the association between AK dermoscopic and histopathological findings.

Methods: A total of 21 patients (23 lesions) with pathologically confirmed actinic keratosis who received 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) were enrolled. The numbers of PDT treatments were: 1, n = 1; 2, n = 2; 3, n = 10; 4, n = 6; 5, n = 2; 6, n = 2). Read More

PLoS One 2020 15;15(5):e0232146. Epub 2020 May 15.

Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Actinic keratosis is a common skin disease that may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. Ingenol mebutate has demonstrated efficacy in field treatment of actinic keratosis. However, molecular mechanisms on ingenol mebutate response are not yet fully understood. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 May 12;9(5). Epub 2020 May 12.

Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.

Patient-centered motives and expectations of the treatment of actinic keratoses (AK) have received little attention until now. Hence, we aimed to profile and cluster treatment motivations and expectations among patients with AK in a nationwide multicenter, cross-sectional study including patients from 14 German skin cancer centers. Patients were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2020 May 10. Epub 2020 May 10.

UGC Dermatología. Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla , España.

J Cutan Pathol 2020 May 12. Epub 2020 May 12.

Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for cancer treatment has revolutionized the field of medicine. However, an unintended but frequent consequence of ICI therapy is the development of cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs), such as lichenoid dermatitis irAEs (LD-irAEs). The hypertrophic variant of LD-irAE may be a diagnostic challenge since it can mimic superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Read More

Br J Dermatol 2020 May 10. Epub 2020 May 10.

Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA.

J Am Acad Dermatol 2020 May 6. Epub 2020 May 6.

Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX. Electronic address:

Field cancerization was first described in 1953 when pathologic atypia was identified in clinically normal tissue surrounding oropharyngeal carcinomas. The discovery of mutated fields surrounding primary tumors raised the question of whether the development of subsequent tumors within the field represented recurrences or additional primary tumors. Since this initial study, field cancerization has been applied to numerous other epithelial tissues, including the skin. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2020 May 5. Epub 2020 May 5.

Department of Dermatology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address:

Br J Pharmacol 2020 May 7. Epub 2020 May 7.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.

Nicotinamide (NAM) is a precursor of vitamin B commonly sold over the counter as a nutritional supplement with anti-aging properties. Accumulating preclinical evidence indicates that NAM also mediates oncopreventive effects against a variety of neoplasms. Supporting the translational relevance of dietary NAM supplementation, results from a Phase 3 randomized clinical trial have demonstrated that oral NAM was safe and efficiently reduced the incidence of new non-melanoma skin cancers and actinic keratosis amongst high-risk individuals. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2020 May 6. Epub 2020 May 6.

Background: Imiquimod 3.75% cream is licensed for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK).

Objective: Two case reports on the treatment of facial uv-exposed skin shall open the discussion if subclinical actinic keratoses can be detected by the use of imiquimod cream in uv-exposed areas even if no lesions can be found clinically. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2020 05 3;12(5). Epub 2020 May 3.

Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Ramón y Cajal (Irycis) 1, 2003 Madrid, Spain.

Background: Cutaneous squamous skin cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most frequent type of non-melanoma skin cancer and is the second leading cause of death by skin cancer in Caucasian populations. However, at present it is difficult to predict patients with poor SCC prognosis.

Objective: To identify proteins with expression levels that could predict SCC infiltration in SCC arising from actinic keratosis (SCC-AK). Read More

Dermatol Ther 2020 May 5:e13509. Epub 2020 May 5.

Uşak University, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, School of Medicine, Uşak, Turkey.

Recent studies have focused on the comorbid conditions of the COVID-19. According to the current studies, numerous diseases including lung disease, cardiovascular disease and immunosuppression appear to be at higher risk for severe forms of the COVID-19. To date, there are no data in the literature on the comorbid dermatologic diseases and COVID-19. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2020 May 1:e13483. Epub 2020 May 1.

Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma.

Ann Plast Surg 2020 Apr 28. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stony Brook University Hospital.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the general dermatological needs and correlation of tentative skin cancer screening diagnoses with histopathological confirmation in the highly sun-exposed locals of the Galapagos Islands.

Methods: An institutional review board-approved prospective study was performed at Blanca's House, a nonprofit surgical volunteer organization, free clinics in the Galapagos. After consent, a 40-item modified SPOTme-inspired questionnaire was completed. Read More

Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020 Apr 24. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

Future Industries Institute, The University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address:

This review analyses physical drug delivery enhancement technologies with a focus on improving UV damaged skin, actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancer treatment. In recent years, physical drug delivery enhancement has been shown to enhance cosmeceutical and skin cancer treatment efficacy, but there are pros and cons to each approach which we discuss in detail. Mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, experimental design, outcomes in academic publications, clinical trial reports and patents are explored to evaluate each technology with a critical, translation focused lens. Read More

J Med Internet Res 2020 Apr 21;22(4):e16700. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Telemedicine, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Teledermatology is a health care tool that has been increasingly used around the world, mostly because dermatology has an emphasis on visual diagnosis. Many studies have shown that access to specialized care improves using teledermatology, which provides accurate diagnosis and reduces the time taken for treatment, with high patient satisfaction. As the population around the world grows old, there will be even more demand for dermatologists in years to come. Read More

Acta Derm Venereol 2020 Apr 29;100(8):adv00128. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden.

Actinic keratosis is the most common actinic lesion in fair-skinned populations. It is accepted as an indicator of actinic skin damage and as an occasional precursor of squamous cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate, in a cohort of patients with a diagnosis of actinic keratosis, the relative risk of developing skin cancer during a follow-up period of 10 years. Read More

J Dermatol Sci 2020 Apr 7. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Centre for Translational Skin Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia; Department of Dermatology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia. Electronic address:

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and its precursors, actinic keratosis (AK) and Bowen's disease (BD), are the most common types of keratinocytic skin lesions (KSL) which account for the majority of non-melanoma skin cancer lethality. Currently, clinical and histopathological criteria are used for the diagnosis, classification and therapeutic intervention of KSLs, however discrepancies exist between the clinical presentations and histologic analyses of these lesions, making the diagnosis difficult. The identification of biomarkers as companion diagnostics for accurately stratifying KSL types is required to support the paradigm shift in current cancer care to personalised, precision medicine and ameliorate the negative impact of misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses on patient outcome. Read More

J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2020 Feb 1;13(2):53-57. Epub 2020 Feb 1.

Drs. Sidiropoulou, Gregoriou and Rigopoulos are with the 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens at Andreas Syggros Hospital for Cutaneous & Venereal Diseases in Athens, Greece.

Chemexfoliation is widely used to reverse signs of photodamage. Although photodamage can eventually lead to skin cancer, it remains unclear whether chemical peels also affect photocarcinogenesis. Moreover, concerns about the systemic and/or cutaneous toxicity of peeling agents have already arisen. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2020 Apr 19. Epub 2020 Apr 19.

Dermatology Unit "Daniele Innocenzi", Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Bio-Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Italy.

Dermatol Ther 2020 Apr 17:e13423. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

University of Lille, INSERM, CHU Lille, U1189-ONCO-THAI, Assisted Laser Therapy and Immunotherapy for Oncology, Lille, France.

Int J Dermatol 2020 Jun 17;59(6):690-697. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

Department of Dermatology, Andreas Sygros Skin Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Background: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a chronic, precancerous skin disease. Various treatments options exist, including ingenol mebutate gel. The aim of this study was to compare its effectiveness and tolerability as well as the impact of therapy on patients' quality of life in standard clinical practice. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2020 Apr 13;10(4). Epub 2020 Apr 13.

Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Key Laboratory of Plant Protein and Grain Processing, National Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fruits and Vegetables, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is one of the most common precancerous skin lesions, which is easily confused with benign keratosis (BK). At present, the diagnosis of AK mainly depends on histopathological examination, and ignorance can easily occur in the early stage, thus missing the opportunity for treatment. In this study, we designed a shallow convolutional neural network (CNN) named actinic keratosis deep learning (AK-DL) and further developed an intelligent diagnostic system for AK based on the iOS platform. Read More

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2020 Apr 12:101758. Epub 2020 Apr 12.

Dermatology Medica Plus, Modena, Italy.

Introduction: Conventional photodynamic therapy (cPDT) is considered a very effective treatment of actinic keratosis (AK) lesions. However, its use is limited by the fact that this procedure could be very painful. The use of topical anesthetics such as tetracaine or lignocaine/prilocaine has shown disappointing results in term of pain reduction. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 Apr 9;21(7). Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Kine Sciences, 525, Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06149, Korea.

Erythroid differentiation regulator 1 (ERDR1) was newly identified as a secreted protein that plays an essential role in maintaining cell growth homeostasis. ERDR1 enhances apoptosis at high cell densities, leading to the inhibition of cell survival. Exogenous ERDR1 treatment decreases cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth as a result of increased apoptosis via the regulation of apoptosis-related gene expression. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2020 Apr;19(4):425-427

Objective: To assess if ablative fractional laser combined with indoor daylight photodynamic therapy are effective and safe for the treatment of skin field cancerization associated with actinic keratosis (AK). Methods: A total of 46 patients with field cancerized skin and AK were treated by a single session of laser assisted drug delivery (LAAD) and indoor daylight photodynamic therapy (IDL-PDT). LAAD was applied using a CO2 ablative fractional laser (AFXL) and aminolevulonic acid. Read More

Eur J Dermatol 2020 Apr 7. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Biedersteinerstr. 29, 80802 Munich.

Background: The management of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) and actinic keratosis (AK) as well as the number of dermatologists differ across the Bavarian counties in Germany.

Objectives: To determine regions with low utilization rates of dermatological care and a high medical need due to AK and KC burden.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study of 2,483 people was carried out during the Munich Oktoberfest in September 2016. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2020 Apr 5. Epub 2020 Apr 5.

Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2020 Apr 4;18(4):400-413. Epub 2020 Apr 4.

Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are common lesions in light-skinned individuals that can potentially progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Both conditions may be associated with significant morbidity and constitute a major disease burden, especially among the elderly. To establish an evidence-based framework for clinical decision making, the guidelines for actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma were developed using the highest level of methodology (S3) according to regulations issued by the Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF). Read More

Biomolecules 2020 Mar 20;10(3). Epub 2020 Mar 20.

Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea.

Nicotinamide (NAM) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin B3 (niacin) and a precursor of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) which regulates cellular energy metabolism. Except for its role in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), NAD acts as a substrate for several enzymes including sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1). Notably, NAM is an inhibitor of both SIRT1 and PARP1. Read More

Rev Med Suisse 2020 Apr;16(688):646-650

Service de dermatologie et vénéréologie, Département de médecine, HUG, 1211 Genève 14.

Actinic keratoses are the most frequent precancerous lesions on Caucasian skin, often giving rise to squamous cell carcinomas. Appropriate prophylaxis, screening, and early intervention can substantially reduce the incidence of the latter. While isolated actinic keratoses can easily be treated by means of cryotherapy or curettage, multiple lesions often occurring on chronically sun-damaged skin demand more potent therapeutic strategies, such as topical cytostatic or immunomodulatory drugs, or photodynamic therapy. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2020 Apr 2:e13356. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

Unit of Dermatology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza Medical School of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Mar 30;17(7). Epub 2020 Mar 30.

Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.

Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the main risk factors for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) development. The most common variants of NMSC are basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and actinic keratosis (AK). The latter is nowadays considered by most authors as an early squamous cell carcinoma rather than a precancerous lesion. Read More

J Skin Cancer 2020 28;2020:8128717. Epub 2020 Jan 28.

Medical School, Granada University, Granada, Spain.

Background: Snow reflectivity and altitude increase the exposure of ski resort workers to solar ultraviolet radiation. The aim was to assess the presence of skin cancer in ski resorts workers and compare it with other groups of outdoor workers reviewing published studies.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in the three largest ski resorts in Spain: Baqueira Beret, Lleida; Formigal, Huesca and Sierra Nevada, Granada. Read More

Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2020 04;49(4):547

Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Poole, UK.

Papillomavirus Res 2020 Mar 25;9:100196. Epub 2020 Mar 25.

International Agency for Research on Cancer-World Health Organization, Lyon, France. Electronic address:

Actinic keratosis (AK) arises on photo-damaged skin and is considered to be the precursor lesion of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Many findings support the involvement of β human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in cSCC, while very little is known on γ HPV types. The objective of this study was to characterize the spectrum of PV types in healthy skin (HS) and AK samples of the same immunocompetent individuals using next generation sequencing (NGS). Read More

J Dermatolog Treat 2020 Apr 16:1-7. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Diffuse actinic keratoses (AKs) have multiple treatment options. Patient understanding of treatment options may enhance patient autonomy, satisfaction, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes. Delivering effective and consistent verbal counseling on AK treatment can be challenging. Read More

Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2020 Mar 11. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, Institute for Health Research and Education, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.

Objective: To outline the development and pilot testing of a patient counseling approach for individual sun protection for patients in outdoor professions diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma or multiple actinic keratosis due to solar UV radiation. This is a secondary prevention measure as part of the standard procedure of patient care by the respective statutory accident insurance.

Methods: Results of guideline-based qualitative interviews with seven outdoor workers and a search of literature formed the basis for the counseling approach, which was compiled in a manual. Read More