Background: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) stands as an umbrella term for common cutaneous malignancies, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), together with rarer cutaneous cancers, such as Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and other forms of adnexal cancers. The majority of NMSCs can be successfully treated with surgery or radiotherapy, but advanced and metastatic stages may require systemic approaches such as immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Summary: Since immunotherapy is not effective in all patients and can potentially lead to severe adverse effects, an important clinical question is how to properly identify those who could be suitable candidates for this therapeutic choice. In this paper, we review the potential features and biomarkers used to predict the outcome of ICIs therapy for NMSCs. Moreover, we analyze the role of immunotherapy in special populations, such as the elderly, immunocompromised patients, organ transplant recipients, and subjects suffering from autoimmune conditions. Key messages: Many clinical, serum, histopathological, and genetic features have been investigated as potential predictors of response in NMSCs treated with ICIs. Although this field of research is very promising, definitive, cost-effective, and reproducible biomarkers are still lacking and further efforts are needed to validate the suggested predictors in larger cohorts.

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a debilitating chronic disease characterized by intense itching and excoriated hyperkeratotic nodules distributed on the trunk and extremities, especially the extensor surfaces. The pathophysiology includes complex and not yet well-understood mechanisms involving inflammation and dysregulation of the nervous system. Currently, there are no approved therapies by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the few treatment approaches for this condition are often ineffective and related to severe side effects. An emerging therapeutic option is dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody for adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, that inhibits interleukin-4 receptor alpha subunit (IL4-Rα) and the signaling pathways activated by interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. These cytokines seem to be involved in the development and perpetuation of PN and other type-2 inflammation diseases. Data on this topic are limited, but the emergent positive effects of this drug, reported in the literature and summarized in this review, suggest that it can be a safe and efficient therapy in PN.

Background: Actinic keratosis (AK) is one of the most common skin diseases, with a low risk of progression into invasive squamous cell carcinoma. We aim to assess efficacy and safety of a novel formulation of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) 4% with once daily application for the treatment of multiple AKs. Methods: A pilot study was performed on 30 patients with a clinical and dermoscopic diagnosis of multiple AKs, enrolled between September 2021 and May 2022 at the Dermatology Departments of two Italian hospitals. Patients were treated with 5-FU 4% cream once daily for 30 consecutive days. The Actinic Keratosis Area and Severity Index (AKASI) was calculated before starting therapy, and at each follow-up, to assess objective clinical response. Results: The cohort analyzed included 14 (47%) males and 16 (53%) females (mean age: 71 ± 12 years). A significant decrease in AKASI score at both 6 and 12 weeks (p < 0.0001) was observed. Only three patients (10%) discontinued therapy, and 13 patients (43%) did not report any adverse reactions; no unexpected adverse events were observed. Conclusions: In the setting of topical chemotherapy and immunotherapy, the new formulation of 5-FU 4% proved to be a highly effective treatment for AKs and field cancerization.

Citation: Conforti C, Dri A, Toffoli L, Zelin E, Zalaudek I, Di Meo N. Entodermoscopy: a useful tool for the diagnosis of cutaneous larva migrans. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021;11(2):e2021014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.1102a14 Accepted: August 3, 2020; Published: March 8, 2021 Copyright: 2021 Conforti et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License BY-NC-4.0, which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: None. Competing interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Authorship: All authors have contributed significantly to this publication. Corresponding author: Arianna Dri, MD, Dermatology Clinic, Hospital Maggiore, Piazza Ospitale 1, Trieste, Italy. Email address: arianna.dri@gmail.com