Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers. The 5-year survival rate of stage III melanoma patients ranges from 93% (IIIA) to 32% (IIID) with a high risk of recurrence after complete surgery. The introduction of target and immune therapies has dramatically improved the overall survival, but the identification of patients with a high risk of relapse who will benefit from adjuvant therapy and the determination of the best treatment choice remain crucial. Currently, patient prognosis is based on clinico-pathological features, highlighting the urgent need of predictive and prognostic markers to improve patient management. In recent years, many groups have focused their attention on identifying molecular biomarkers with prognostic and predictive potential. In this review, we examined the main candidate biomarkers reported in the literature.

T helper 2 (Th2)-mediated dermatoses are inflammatory skin diseases driven by CD4⁺ Th2 cells that produce interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-31, promoting immunoglobulin E (IgE) class switching, eosinophil recruitment, mast cell degranulation, and pruritus. We aimed to place these conditions in context and clarify how Th2 biology informs diagnosis and therapy. We conducted a narrative synthesis of mechanistic, translational, and clinical evidence on Th2 pathways in atopic dermatitis (AD), prurigo nodularis, bullous pemphigoid, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and selected type I/IVb hypersensitivity reactions, with focused appraisal of trials targeting IL-4Rα, IL-13, and IL-31R. Persistent Th2 activation is associated with epidermal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and pruritogenic neural signaling; AD is the archetype, showing prominent lesional IL-4/IL-13 activity correlated with severity and itch. Across disorders, pathway-directed biologics against IL-4Rα, IL-13, and IL-31R consistently reduce disease activity and pruritus in AD and prurigo nodularis, with emerging signals of benefit in bullous pemphigoid and chronic spontaneous urticaria. The Th2 axis provides a unifying pathogenic framework and actionable therapeutic target across multiple dermatoses. Integrating cytokine profiling with clinical phenotypes may refine patient stratification and optimize the deployment of existing and next-generation Th2-targeting therapies.

Vitiligo, the most prevalent skin depigmenting disease, is characterized by the selective loss of melanocytes, impacting patients’ quality of life significantly. This autoimmune disorder progresses through a complex interplay of genetic and non-genetic factors, posing challenges in comprehending its pathogenesis and devising effective treatment strategies for achieving remission. Existing conventional therapeutic approaches, such as topical and oral corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and phototherapy, lack specificity, offer modest efficacy, and may entail potential adverse effects. Consequently, there is a pressing need for a more nuanced understanding of vitiligo’s pathogenesis to pave the way for targeted therapeutic innovations. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments and findings concerning Januse Kinase (JAK) inhibitors and biologics tested in vitiligo patients. JAK inhibitors have exhibited promising results, showcasing both efficacy and tolerability. In contrast, the outcomes of biologics treatment have been more varied. However, to establish a clearer understanding of which specific pathways to target for a more effective approach to vitiligo, additional in vitro studies and extensive clinical research involving a larger population are imperative.

The tissue-specific gene expression changes mediated by the hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) allow the adaptation of cells to low oxygen tension and control several processes including erythropoiesis, angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. The Feline Leukemia Virus, subgroup C, Receptor 1 (Flvcr1) gene encodes for two isoforms, Flvcr1a and 1b, involved in the export of heme out of the cell and of mitochondria respectively. Studies in mouse models demonstrated a crucial role of Flvcr1 isoforms in erythropoiesis and during embryo development. Here, we showed the modulation of Flvcr1 gene expression in different tissues and cell lines in response to hypoxia. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that HIF2α and HIF-dependent transcription factor ETS1 (v-ets avian erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog 1) bind at the region -318/+39 of the Flvcr1 promoter. Analysis of Caco2 cells in which HIF2α or ETS1 were silenced or overexpressed demonstrated that, both HIF2α and ETS1 are involved in the transcriptional regulation of Flvcr1a and that HIF2α is absolutely required for Flvcr1a induction upon hypoxia. The inclusion of the Flvcr1 gene in the group of HIF2α-responsive genes strengthens its role in hypoxia-stimulated processes like erythropoiesis, vasculogenesis and heme absorption.

Products with biologically active ingredients have emerged as a powerful category within the skincare and anti-aging sectors. Bridging the gap between pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, they offer therapeutic benefits supported by scientific evidence while maintaining the esthetic appeal of traditional skincare. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of cosmeceuticals with a particular focus on their anti-aging potential. This review highlights recent advances in cosmeceutical actives. Next-generation retinoids such as hydroxypinacolone retinoate and retinyl retinoate show comparable efficacy to tretinoin with improved tolerability, though current studies are small and short-term. Peptides, including signal, carrier, and neurotransmission-inhibiting peptides, offer multifunctional effects on extracellular matrix remodeling and wrinkle reduction, with supportive but modest clinical evidence enhanced by nanocarrier delivery. Antioxidants, particularly vitamin C and coenzyme Q10, are supported by controlled trials showing improvements in photoprotection, mitochondrial function, and wrinkle depth, though data are limited by sample size and follow-up. Botanical polyphenols are gaining prominence: nanoparticle-encapsulated epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) enhances anti-photoaging activity in preclinical studies; oral microencapsulated curcumin has shown visible benefits in nutricosmetic trials; and bakuchiol, a retinol-like meroterpene, demonstrated comparable efficacy to retinol with superior tolerability. Advances in delivery systems—including nanoemulsions, phospholipid complexes, and encapsulation technologies—improve stability, bioavailability, and skin penetration. In conclusion, retinoids, vitamin C, and AHAs/BHAs remain the most evidence-based actives, whereas newer bioactives and advanced formulations appear promising but require larger, long-term randomized trials to establish their role in dermatologic practice.