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Editorial

Editorial )v..",u, V/ ....utaneous Medicine and Surgery, Volume 3, Number 6, 1999 he etiology of malignant melanoma has been intensely studied over the last decade. Much of the recent T work focuses on oncongenes and tumour suppressor genes and the role of apoptosis in melanoma. Loss of tumour suppressor proteins such as p16 has been documented in melanoma and correlates with tumour progression. Mutations in the tumour suppressor p53 have also been documented in melanoma. The proto-oncongene Bcl-2 encodes a protein that inhibits apoptosis. Bcl-2 is found in normal melanocytes and benign nevi. However, lower levels are seen in melanoma. To investigate the relationship between melanoma and nevi, in our Basic and Clinical Science section, Dr. Radhi examines the expression of p53, p16, and Bcl in malignant melanoma arriving in benign nevi. P53 immunoreactivity was found only in the malignant component, with no expression being seen in the benign components of the lesion. This suggests that this tumour suppressor gene is involved in the pathogenesis of melanoma. In our Genetic Studies in Skin Disease section, Dr. Bale discusses how mouse models of human dis­ ease can greatly facilitate our understanding of the molecular defects in human disease. In this case, she examines congenital alopecia as a model for homozygosity mapping using mouse/human homologies. This is discussed in relationship to the identification of a gene responsible for congenital alopecia. Although much of our literature has focused on pathogenic mechanisms of disease and pharmaco­ therapeutic advances, quality of life and health outcomes has recently become an important area of research. In her article, Dr. Chren uses a target patient to illustrate the key features of quality of life, using psy­ chometric principles. Since, ultimately, patient outcomes drive our practice, this is a key area for the practicing physician to comprehend. In our surgical reviews, Drs. Alam and Scher review the area of nail surgery. While traditionally the purvey of a dermatologist specializing in this area, or the domain of a hand surgeon, nail surgery can be tackled by a general dermatologist. In this detailed review, these authors review the principles of nail surgery, including nail anatomy, anesthesia, biopsy, and reconstruction techniques, and discuss diseases of the nail. With increasing use of biologic response modifiers, we are witnessing not only enhanced therapeutic options but also enhanced adverse effects, including those of a cutaneous nature. The interferons represent the first biologic response modifiers in widespread use. Applications include leukemia, melanoma, hepati­ tis, T-celllymphomas, and multiple sclerosis. Cutaneous reactions, although not common, include urticaria, generalized exanthems, pruritis, and cutaneous ulceration. Dr. Sasseville and coworkers review their adverse effects to interferons and document a case of cutaneous necrosis at the site of interferon alpha 2b injection. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Arnon Katz, our section editor for Sum­ mary Notes. These summaries have been highly regarded by practicing physicians as concise reviews and have especially been appreciated by our trainees, who use these reviews in studying for the board examinations. We thank and commend Dr. Katz for his dedication to the Journal. Daniel N. Sauder Editor-in-Chief Division of Dermatology University of Toronto http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery SAGE

Editorial

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Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
© 1999 Canadian Dermatology Association
ISSN
1203-4754
eISSN
1615-710X
DOI
10.1177/120347549900300601
pmid
10575155
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

)v..",u, V/ ....utaneous Medicine and Surgery, Volume 3, Number 6, 1999 he etiology of malignant melanoma has been intensely studied over the last decade. Much of the recent T work focuses on oncongenes and tumour suppressor genes and the role of apoptosis in melanoma. Loss of tumour suppressor proteins such as p16 has been documented in melanoma and correlates with tumour progression. Mutations in the tumour suppressor p53 have also been documented in melanoma. The proto-oncongene Bcl-2 encodes a protein that inhibits apoptosis. Bcl-2 is found in normal melanocytes and benign nevi. However, lower levels are seen in melanoma. To investigate the relationship between melanoma and nevi, in our Basic and Clinical Science section, Dr. Radhi examines the expression of p53, p16, and Bcl in malignant melanoma arriving in benign nevi. P53 immunoreactivity was found only in the malignant component, with no expression being seen in the benign components of the lesion. This suggests that this tumour suppressor gene is involved in the pathogenesis of melanoma. In our Genetic Studies in Skin Disease section, Dr. Bale discusses how mouse models of human dis­ ease can greatly facilitate our understanding of the molecular defects in human disease. In this case, she examines congenital alopecia as a model for homozygosity mapping using mouse/human homologies. This is discussed in relationship to the identification of a gene responsible for congenital alopecia. Although much of our literature has focused on pathogenic mechanisms of disease and pharmaco­ therapeutic advances, quality of life and health outcomes has recently become an important area of research. In her article, Dr. Chren uses a target patient to illustrate the key features of quality of life, using psy­ chometric principles. Since, ultimately, patient outcomes drive our practice, this is a key area for the practicing physician to comprehend. In our surgical reviews, Drs. Alam and Scher review the area of nail surgery. While traditionally the purvey of a dermatologist specializing in this area, or the domain of a hand surgeon, nail surgery can be tackled by a general dermatologist. In this detailed review, these authors review the principles of nail surgery, including nail anatomy, anesthesia, biopsy, and reconstruction techniques, and discuss diseases of the nail. With increasing use of biologic response modifiers, we are witnessing not only enhanced therapeutic options but also enhanced adverse effects, including those of a cutaneous nature. The interferons represent the first biologic response modifiers in widespread use. Applications include leukemia, melanoma, hepati­ tis, T-celllymphomas, and multiple sclerosis. Cutaneous reactions, although not common, include urticaria, generalized exanthems, pruritis, and cutaneous ulceration. Dr. Sasseville and coworkers review their adverse effects to interferons and document a case of cutaneous necrosis at the site of interferon alpha 2b injection. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Arnon Katz, our section editor for Sum­ mary Notes. These summaries have been highly regarded by practicing physicians as concise reviews and have especially been appreciated by our trainees, who use these reviews in studying for the board examinations. We thank and commend Dr. Katz for his dedication to the Journal. Daniel N. Sauder Editor-in-Chief Division of Dermatology University of Toronto

Journal

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery – SAGE

Published: Oct 1, 1999

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