A case of mosaic-type bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma successfully treated with topical maxacalcitol, a vitamin D3 analogue

Treatments for Non-Syndromic Inherited Ichthyosis, Including Emergent Pathogenesis-Related Therapy

The term 'inherited ichthyosis' refers to a heterogeneous group of mendelian disorders of cornification that involve the integument with varying degrees of scaling. The management of ichthyosis poses a challenge for most physicians. Treatment options proposed in the literature include moisturizers, topical keratolytics, topical and systemic vitamin D analogues, and topical and systemic retinoids; however, some of these modalities are less reliable than others. Despite the therapeutic impasse imposed by the options above, the emergence of pathogenesis-based treatments along with novel gene therapies appear promising and hold the potential to halt or even revert disorders that arise from single genetic mutations, although research is still quite lacking in this domain. Hence, this review aims to highlight the various treatment modalities available for the management of the cutaneous manifestations of non-syndromic inherited ichthyosis, with an added emphasis on pathogenesis-targeted therapies.

The signaling involved in autophagy machinery in keratinocytes and therapeutic approaches for skin diseases

Autophagy is responsible for the lysosomal degradation of proteins, organelles, microorganisms and exogenous particles. Epidermis primarily consists of keratinocytes which functions as an extremely important barrier. Investigation on autophagy in keratinocytes has been continuously renewing, but is not so systematic due to the complexity of the autophagy machinery. Here we reviewed recent studies on the autophagy in keratinocyte with a focus on interplay between autophagy machinery and keratinocytes biology, and novel autophagy regulators identified in keratinocytes. In this review, we discussed the roles of autophagy in apoptosis, differentiation, immune response, survival and melanin metabolism, trying to reveal the possible involvement of autophagy in skin aging, skin disorders and skin color formation. Since autophagy routinely plays a double-edged sword role in various conditions, its functions in skin homeostasis and potential application as a therapeutic target for skin diseases remains to be clarified. Furthermore, more investigations are needed on optimizing designed strategies to inhibit or enhance autophagy for clinical efficacy.

Epidermolytic Ichthyosis without Keratin 1 or 10 Mutations: A Case Report

In this paper, the authors report a case of an 11-year-old boy with epidermolytic ichthyosis who presented with multiple scattered erosions and typical hyperkeratotic plaques over the face, upper and lower extremities, the trunk, palms and soles. Family history revealed an affected older male sibling and an affected first-degree female relative. In addition, there was a positive history of generations of consanguinity in the patient's family pedigree, increasing the probability of an autosomal recessive inheritance. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology; however, mutations in the keratin 1 and 10 genes were absent. This case report addresses the importance of establishing correct diagnosis and mode of inheritance, with literature review of genetic mutations, possible differential diagnosis and the most common and successful treatment modalities for epidermolytic ichthyosis.

Off-label uses of topical vitamin D in dermatology: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Topical vitamin D is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of psoriasis but is also used off-label in the treatment of a variety of cutaneous diseases despite a lack of evidence-based guidelines.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to provide evidence-based clinical guidelines for the off-label use of topical vitamin D in the treatment of dermatologic disease.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted via the MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases for off-label uses of topical vitamin D analogues in the treatment of dermatologic disease other than psoriasis. The data were synthesized, and evidence-based recommendations were rendered according to the highest level of evidence available.

RESULTS

A total of 165 articles met the inclusion criteria. A moderate to strong recommendation was given for the use of topical vitamin D in combination with corticosteroids and phototherapy in vitiligo and as monotherapy for various ichthyoses, morphea, pityriasis alba, prurigo nodularis, and polymorphous light eruption. There is evidence showing that topical vitamin D is ineffective in the treatment of actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, lichen planus, seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia areata, chemotherapy-induced alopecia, and hypertrophic scars.

CONCLUSION

Topical vitamin D analogues have an important role in the off-label treatment of dermatologic disease, but higher quality studies are still required.

Mosaic epidermolytic ichthyosis--case report

Epidermolytic ichthyosis is a rare autosomal dominant disease that manifests at birth with fragile blisters and erosions that evolve into hyperkeratotic lesions associated or not with erythroderma. When the disease is associated with a mutation in cytokeratin 1, it may be related to hyperkeratosis of palms and soles, but this is not usually found when cytokeratin 10 is mutated. The disease can present in a mosaic form, due to post zygotic mutation of the gene involved, constituting an individual formed by two populations of genetically distinct cells - one carrier of the mutation and the other without it. We report a case of mosaic epidermolytic ichthyosis diagnosed in a female patient.

Systematized epidermal nevus with epidermolytic hyperkeratosis improving with topical calcipotriol/betametasone dipropionate combination ointment

We present the case of a 5-year-old boy who presented with systematized epidermal nevus with evidence of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis on skin biopsy. He was otherwise well, with normal growth and development and no evidence of other organ system involvement. He had experienced only mild improvement with potent topical corticosteroids. He reported more-marked improvement after 2 months of topical calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate combination ointment once a day to the lesions. Extensive epidermal nevi can lead to severe cosmetic disfigurement. We recommend a trial of topical calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment for patients with extensive epidermal nevus not amenable to surgical treatment.