Dermatology - News & Articles

Factors affecting treatment response in alopecia areata

As published in the Journal of European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, measureable autoantibodies were associated with an increased extent of alopecia areata (AA). Ophiasic hair loss and nail dystrophy were associated with atopic AA, which in turn was associated with an increased risk of relapse.

Chondroitinase ABC reduces keloids

As published in the Journal of Dermatology, injection of chondroitinase ABC into keloid grafted on to nude mice resulted in a significant reduction in keloid formation and elastic fiber formation.

LL-37 is a biomarker of eczema severity in children

LL-37 corresponds to amino acids 134-170 in human cathelicidin, which is involved in innate immunity against cutaneous infections. Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong conducted a study involving 144 children with eczema and 36 healthy children. The LL-37 levels were shown to be associated with the atopic dermatitis scores and the severity of eczema. The authors suggest that LL-37 is a biomarker of eczema severity in children and that innate immunity underlies the pathogenesis of eczema.