Fractional 1,550nm Ytterbium/Erbium fiber laser in the treatment of lichen amyloidosis: Clinical and histological study

Lichen Amyloidosis in an Atopic Patient Treated with Dupilumab: A New Therapeutic Option

Lichen amyloidosis (LA) is a type of cutaneous amyloidosis characterized by brownish hyperkeratotic and itchy papules on the lower leg, back, forearm, or thigh. It is associated with itching and atopic dermatitis (AD) according to an etiopathogenetic mechanism that has not yet been fully elucidated. Currently, the available therapies for this condition include oral antihistamines, laser, cyclosporine, topical corticosteroids, and phototherapy, but, in light of the overlap with AD, Dupilumab may also be indicated. We report the case of a female, 52 years old, who had been suffering from AD and LA for about 27 years. She had lesions attributable to both diseases on the trunk and lower limbs associated with severe itching and had proved resistant to cyclosporine therapy. It was decided to opt for Dupilumab with the induction of 2 fl of 300 mg and maintenance with 1 fl every other week. The therapy proved to be effective, returning a total resolution of both diseases one year after the beginning of the treatment. Dupilumab demonstrated efficacy and safety in the LA related to AD and led to clinical and quality of life improvements in this patient. Therefore, Dupilumab should be considered when treating LA. Further studies should be conducted focusing on the efficacy of the drug on LA (whether or not related to AD), changes in the skin lesions after discontinuation, and the safety of long-term application.

Primary Localized Cutaneous Amyloidosis in Central Europe: A Retrospective Monocentric Study on Epidemiology and Therapy

Amyloid deposits can be the cause of many chronic diseases. Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) is a chronic dermatologic condition with amyloid deposits in the papillary dermis. The most common types of the keratinocyte-derived form of PLCA include macular (MA), lichen (LA), and biphasic (BA) amyloidosis. The estimated prevalence of PLCA in the Asian population is 0.98/10,000, which is higher than in the European population; thus, epidemiologic data on PLCA in the Caucasian population are limited. We performed a retrospective single-center study analyzing epidemiologic characteristics of a Central European PLCA population. Epidemiologic data regarding age, sex, skin phototype (Fitzpatrick scale I-VI), disease duration, comorbidities, history of atopy, and family history of PLCA were collected. Clinical characteristics, localization of PLCA lesions, applied therapies and treatment outcomes were also analyzed. Dermoscopic characteristics were also evaluated. A total of 41 patients diagnosed with PLCA were included, with 22 presenting with macular, 18 with lichen, and 1 with biphasic amyloidosis. The male/female ratio was 16/25, and mean age at diagnosis was 54.6 ± 15.2 years (range 27-87 years). The mean age at the onset of PLCA was 53 ± 16.1 years (range 19-79 years) in MA, 46.7 ± 18.2 years (range 14-73 years) in LA, and 26 years in BA. The interscapular region in MA and the extensor surface of the lower extremities in LA proved to be localization-related areas. In our center, a wide range of therapeutic options was applied, with the most prescribed being topical corticosteroids in all types of PLCA. We presented a retrospective, monocentric study on the epidemiology of PLCA in the Central European region. By examining the medical data of a significant number of PLCA patients, we compared our epidemiologic data with that of the Asian PLCA population. Due to the rarity of the condition, further randomized controlled trials and guidelines are needed to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Successful treatment of lichen amyloidosis coexisting with atopic dermatitis by dupilumab: Four case reports

BACKGROUND

Lichen amyloidosis (LA) is a chronic, severely pruritic skin disease, which is the most common form of primary cutaneous amyloidosis. The treatment of LA has been considered to be difficult. LA may be associated with atopic dermatitis (AD), and in this setting, the treatment options may be more limited. Herein, we report four cases of LA associated with AD successfully treated by dupilumab.

CASE SUMMARY

In this article, we describe four cases of patients who presented with recurrent skin rash accompanied by severe generalized intractable pruritus, diagnosed with refractory LA coexisting with chronic AD. Previous treatments had not produced any apparent improvement. Thus, we administered dupilumab injection subcutaneously at a dose of 600 mg for the first time and 300 mg every 2 wk thereafter. Their lesions all markedly improved.

CONCLUSION

Dupilumab may be a new useful treatment for LA coexisting with AD.

The therapeutic role of lasers in primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis: a systematic review

With the investigation of the efficacy of laser therapy in primary localized amyloidosis(PLCA) only recently starting to materialize, we aimed to review the currently available studies of laser therapy in the management of the disease. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and ProQuest online databases with a specified search strategy, assessed the quality of each study, and then extracted the eligible data. Five RCTs(randomized controlled trials), one non-randomized controlled trial, three case series, and nine case reports(18 in total) were included. Overall, carbon dioxide (CO2), neodymium-doped:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), pulsed dye (PDL), Er (Erbium):YAG, and yttrium/erbium fiber were the studied lasers. One hundred fifty-five cases in total underwent laser therapy, with CO2 being the most frequent laser. Almost all studies demonstrated significantly desirable outcomes, while only mild and transient side effects were noted. Even though the studies' results were significant, we noticed that implementing a consistent methodology and a standardized objective assessment method was missing. Therefore, we recommend that future studies be conducted with less heterogeneous data for a more definite conclusion.

Fractional Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser in the Treatment of Primary Cutaneous Amyloidosis

BACKGROUND

Although various treatments are currently available for primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA), there is no entirely satisfactory treatment. Recently, fractional ablative lasers are claimed to have therapeutic effects for PCA.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractional Er:YAG laser for the treatment of PCA.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Ten patients with macular and lichen amyloidosis received 4 treatment sessions with 4-week intervals. The outcome was assessed clinically (degree of pigmentation, rippling, lichenification, and itching) through photographs and histologically (amount of amyloid, melanin, epidermal thickness, and depth of rete ridges) through biopsy specimens stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Congo red, and Fontana-Masson stain. Patients were followed up for 3 months after the final treatment.

RESULTS

At 3-month follow-up, fractional Er:YAG laser exhibited a significant clinical and histological improvement. Patient satisfaction concurred with physicians' evaluations. Recurrence was detected in 1 patient.

CONCLUSION

In light of the authors' findings, fractional Er:YAG laser offered a great clinical and histological efficacy with excellent safety profile. Careful laser selection based on making a compromise between efficacies and safeties may improve outcome.

Efficacy of 1064-nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser in lichen amyloidosis treatment: clinical and dermoscopic evaluation

Lichen amyloidosis (LA) is a type of primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis characterized by multiple localized, hyperpigmented, grouped papules, in which the deposition of amyloid materials from altered keratinocytes usually resists to current treatments. We presented two LA patients with non-satisfactory results of topical treatments. After the first treatment using 1064-nm Nd: YAG picosecond (ps-Nd:YAG) laser, there was an improvement with persistence up to 3-month follow up after five sessions of 4-week interval, as well as a decrease in number, thickness, and darkness of lesions from clinical and dermoscopic evaluation. Thus, the ps-Nd:YAG laser could be efficacious for LA treatment.

The therapeutic effects of 1540-nm nonablative fractional erbium laser on macular amyloidosis: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

This aim of this study was to determine the effect of 1540-nm nonablative fractional erbium on macular amyloidosis.

METHODS

This phase-II clinical trial study has been performed with parallel group with blinding of the evaluator. The skin lesions of the patients (15 patients and 30 lesions) with cutaneous macular amyloidosis were randomly assigned into laser and no-treatment groups. In the laser group, treatment was performed by 1540-nm nonablative fractional erbium laser. Thereafter, the patients' lesions were compared in terms of pigmentation, rippling, thickness, and subjective response.

RESULTS

The lesions of the intervention group significantly improved in the three-month follow-up compared to the control group (in the control and intervention group, improved pigmentation was observed in 20 and 53.3% with p = .02, improved rippling in 6.7 and 60% with p = .007, diminished lichenification in 0 and 53.1% with p = .007, and overall lesion improvement in 20 and 60% with p = .03, respectively). In investigating the subjective response through patient global assessment, the patients in the intervention group had a greater satisfaction (p = .01). There was a considerable improvement of pruritus in the intervention group (p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of 1540-nm nonablative fractional erbium laser offered a suitable efficacy to treat macular amyloidosis without significant complications.

Lichen amyloidosis successfully treated with fractional ablative laser CO2: A new alternative therapeutic

Lichen amyloidosis is a primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis. Different types of treatment have been used without complete resolution. Herein, we report a case of patient suffering from lichen amyloidosis successfully treated with fractional ablative laser CO₂. He was a 59-year-old man diagnosed lichen amyloidosis localized on the legs 10 years ago. He was treated with topical corticosteroids without any improvement. Then, we started treating the affected area with CO₂ laser (limmer*) at a setting of 5-8 J/cm² and 8 mm laser spot size. A considerable improvement was noticed after the first session. A total healing was reported after four sessions. To the best of our knowledge, only 11 reported cases of lichen amyloidosis have been successfully treated with laser CO₂. However, our clinical finding seems to be one of the best reported results.

Primary Localized Cutaneous Amyloidosis: A Systematic Treatment Review

BACKGROUND

Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) is characterized by extracellular deposition of heterogenic amyloid proteins in the skin without systemic involvement. Lichen amyloidosis, macular amyloidosis, and (primary localized cutaneous) nodular amyloidosis are different subtypes of PLCA.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to review the current reported treatment options for PLCA.

METHODS

This systematic review was based on a search in the PubMed database for English and German articles from 1985 to 2016.

RESULTS

Reports on the treatment of PLCA were limited predominantly to case reports or small case series. There were a few clinical trials but these lacked control groups. A variety of treatment options for PLCA were reported including retinoids, corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, amitriptyline, colchicine, cepharanthin, tacrolimus, dimethyl sulfoxide, vitamin D₃ analogs, capsaicin, menthol, hydrocolloid dressings, surgical modalities, laser treatment, and phototherapy.

CONCLUSION

No definitive recommendation of preferable treatment procedures can be made based on the analyzed literature. Randomized controlled trials are needed to offer patients an evidence-based therapy with high-quality standardized treatment regimens for PLCA.

Treatment of primary cutaneous amyloidosis with laser: a review of the literature

Primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) is a condition characterized by tissue deposition of misfolded proteins. PCA can present in different forms, namely macular, lichen, and nodular amyloidosis. These lesions can be of cosmetic concern and are difficult to treat. Many therapeutic modalities have been suggested for the treatment of PCA, with variable efficacy, including topical and systemic medications, phototherapy, electrodessication, dermabrasion, cryosurgery, and lasers. Over the past decade, several studies have reported successful treatment of PCA with different types of lasers; however, a review of these studies has never been reported in the dermatologic literature. The aim of this study was to review the efficacy and safety of lasers in the treatment of PCA. A search of the National Library of Medicine's PubMed Database was performed. Studies were considered for inclusion based on their relevance, and specific data were extracted from all included studies. Eleven studies, comprising 64 patients, were included in this review. Significant improvements were observed in macular and lichen amyloidosis patients treated with carbon dioxide laser in two studies, while a number of case series and case reports showed good results with other types of laser in the treatment of PCA. This review was limited by the lack of large double-blinded randomized controlled trials and the overall small sample size. Laser treatment is a promising option in the treatment of PCA. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to compare the efficacy of different types of lasers and to select the best parameters for different types of PCA.