Health care is a growing business, but its trajectory patterns are hard to decipher at the moment. This paper provides a short overview of issues important for developing business models for the ...personalized medicine sector (PM). The paper draws on institutional theory, particularly transaction costs economics (TCE) in an attempt to draft a conceptual framework applicable for identifying relationship patterns among
institutional entities, i.e. industry actors in the Personalized Medicine (PM) field. According to the theory, relationships among industry actors are expected to evolve depending on the manifestation of many contextual factors and their developments: investment activity, public interests, technology development, market structure, regulatory environment, demographic factors, personal preferences, natural factors, etc. In our belief, a descriptive model of an industry should include a broader scope of entities besides directly competing firms. Our rationale is that market actors, in a resource dependent environment, sustain their activity by engaging in (bargaining) relationships with other entities with vested interests in the industry. Basically, we believe that predictions of future industry and particular entities’ business model development would be a function of available resources, power relations and regulation.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, collectively termed non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common malignant tumors in humans. Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly and metastatic spread ...is very rare. Squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by infiltrative, destructive growth and metastasis. Long-term exposure of skin to UV light has a great impact on development of these epidermal malignancies. UV light induces cascade of events like well known DNA damage of keratinocytes as well as still completely undetermined influence on apoptotic process through expression of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic molecules. The major role in development of skin cancer is given to proapoptotic p53 molecule or tumor suppressor gene which mutation due to UV exposure leads to resistance of DNA-damaged cell to apoptosis. Other proapoptotic molecules such as Fas ligand (FasL) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) are strongly expressed in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma that could be explained by the ability of tumor to escape the attack of immune system.
Infliximab is an anti-tumor necrosis factor-monoclonal antibody shown to be effective in the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. We report on the first two patients in ...Croatia in which the efficacy of infliximab therapy was monitored and evaluated primarily on the basis of cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis. Both patients had severe, treatment-resistant chronic plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and were on methotrexate therapy before the initiation and throughout the course of infliximab treatment. Infliximab was administered intravenously at a dose of 4 or 5 mg/kg at week 0, 2, 6 and every 8 weeks thereafter. Disease severity was measured before each infusion by means of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. A remarkable clinical response was achieved in both patients with a 50% or greater improvement in baseline PASI at week 2 after therapy initiation and a 90% or greater improvement at week 6 in one patient and at week 14 in the other. Both patients also reported a significant decline in their arthritis symptoms shortly after the introduction of infliximab. The concomitant use of infliximab and methotrexate in these two patients resulted in rapid and sustained remission of psoriasis with no major adverse effects detected.
The clinical triad of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), acne and suppurative hidradenitis (HS) has been described under the acronym PASH syndrome and is considered to represent a distinct entity in the ...group of autoinflammatory diseases. It is a fairly new, only recently recognized disorder with a limited number of reported cases and without defined treatment recommendations. We aimed to summarize currently available data on the use of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists in the management of PASH syndrome and report on our own experience with the use of adalimumab in a patient presenting with this specific constellation of clinical signs and symptoms. Among the 11 cases identified in the literature, infliximab and adalimumab were the most commonly used agents, both exhibiting favorable effects in the majority of, but not all, patients. This was particularly evident in terms of relatively rapid remission of PG whereas HS lesions seemed to be more resistant to treatment. In our patient, adalimumab monotherapy resulted in a remarkable and sustained remission, although significant improvement of HS lesions was observed only from week 16 of therapy onwards. In summary, TNF antagonists are a promising treatment for PASH; however, conclusions regarding the choice of a specific agent, optimal dosing or use in combination with other treatment modalities cannot yet be drawn.
Cilj: Prikazati slučaj pacijenta s pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, s predstavljanjem dijagnostičkih i terapijskih izazova ovog kliničkog entiteta. Prikaz slučaja: Tridesetogodišnji ...pacijent upućen je na Kliniku za dermatovenerologiju zbog kožnih promjena popraćenih svrbežom u trajanju od mjesec i pol dana. Crvene papule i papulokruste bile su prisutne na trupu, gornjim i donjim ekstremitetima, no na gornjim i donjim ekstremitetima bile su brojnije i jače izražene nego na trupu. Pacijent je naveo da je povremeno uzimao febuksostate za liječenje kronične hiperuricemije tijekom posljednje četiri godine. Započeta je lokalna terapija kombinacijom betametazona i gentamicina te peroralnim desloratadinom. U krvnoj slici uočene su neutropenija, povišene vrijednosti kolesterola lipoproteina niske gustoće i povišene vrijednosti urata. Učinjena je biopsija kožne promjene, a pacijentu je preporučen doksiciklin uz nastavak liječenja betametazonom i gentamicinom. Patohistološki nalaz opisivao je ulcerirani epidermis s edemom, granulacijskim tkivom i ekstravazacijom eritrocita u dnu ulceracije. Prema bazi ulceracije i subepidermalno nalazili su se infiltrati limfocita i histiocita, a epidermis je na rubovima ulceracije bio nepravilno hiperplastičan s izraženom spongiozom. Time je potvrđena dijagnoza pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta. Po završetku liječenja doksiciklinom došlo je do potpune regresije kožnih promjena i sniženja vrijednosti urata. Zaključci: U pacijenata s dijagnozom pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta potreban je povećan oprez u dijagnosticiranju i liječenju te redovito praćenje stanja zbog širokog spektra diferencijalnih dijagnoza i mogućnosti postavljanja krive dijagnoze. Nužna su daljnja istraživanja o etiopatogenetskoj osnovi ove bolesti s ciljem upotrebe tih znanja u uspješnijem liječenju.
Aim: To report a case of a patient with pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, emphasising the challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of this clinical entity. Case report: A 30-year-old patient was referred to the Department of Dermatology and Venereology due to skin changes accompanied by itching persisting for one and a half month. Red papules and papulocrusts were found on the trunk, upper and lower limbs, but in a larger number and more severely affecting the trunk than the limbs. The patient stated the occasional use of febuxostat for the treatment of chronic hyperuricemia that has been diagnosed four years prior. Treatment with desloratadine and a combination of bethametasone and gentamicin was started. The laboratory results showed neutropenia, high levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol and high levels of urate. The biopsy of the skin lesion has been done. Doxycycline treatment and continuing treatment with bethametasone and gentamicin were recommended to the patient. Pathohistological finding described ulcerated epidermis with oedema, granulation tissue and erythrocyte extravasation in the floor of the ulceration. Lymphocytic and histiocytic infiltrates were found in the base of the ulceration and subepidermally. The epidermis on the edge of the ulceration was irregularly hyperplastic and showed spongiosis. The diagnosis of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta has been confirmed. Upon completion of doxycycline treatment skin changes were in regression and urate levels decreased. Conclusions: Not only caution in diagnosis and treatment, but also regular follow-up is necessary in patients diagnosed with pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta because of a wide range of differential diagnoses and a possibility of misdiagnosis. Further research on the etiopathogenesis of this disorder is needed in order to improve treatment outcomes.
Psorijaza je jedna od najčešćih kroničnih kožnih bolesti s prevalencijom od 1,6 – 3 % u općoj populaciji, stoga je ta bolest vrlo važan javnozdravstveni problem. Riječ je o upalnom imunosno ...posredovanom poremećaju koji se na koži očituje eritematoskvamoznim plakovima na predilekcijskim mjestima. Psorijaza nije životno ugrožavajuća bolest, ali kardiovaskularni rizični čimbenici povezani s njom mogu dovesti do letalnog ishoda. Metabolički sindrom češće se dijagnosticira u pacijenata sa psorijazom u odnosu na opću populaciju, i to ponajviše u pacijentica starijih od 40 godina koje dugo boluju od teškog oblika bolesti. Etiologija razvoja metaboličkih poremećaja nije još u potpunosti razjašnjena, ali postoje dokazi da metaboličke promjene nisu isključivo posljedica dugotrajno aktivne kožne bolesti, već da i prethode prvoj pojavi bolesti. Imunosni odgovor posredovan T-pomoćničkim (engl. T helper, Th) Th1 i Th17 limfocitima sustavno prisutan u pacijenata sa psorijazom pridonosi razvoju ili pogoršanju šećerne bolesti, arterijske hipertenzije i pretilosti. Terapija psorijaze temelji se na liječenju kožne bolesti i komorbiditeta, a prilagođena je pojedinom pacijentu. Primjena metotreksata i bioloških lijekova poput infliksimaba, adalimumaba i etanercepta povezana je s nižim stopama mortaliteta, infarkta miokarda i moždanog udara te s poboljšanjem endotelne funkcije u odnosu na pacijente liječene drugim terapijskim mogućnostima. Pristup pacijentu sa psorijazom mora biti sveobuhvatan i multidisciplinaran te uključivati liječenje psorijaze uz prevenciju, rano prepoznavanje i odgovarajuće liječenje komorbiditeta.
Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic skin diseases with the prevalence of 1.6-3% in general population, therefore it is an important public health issue. It is an inflammatory immunomediated disorder that manifests as a eritematosquamous dermatosis with plaques on predilection areas. Psoriasis is not a life-threatening disease itself, however cardiovascular risk factors connected to it may lead to a lethal outcome. Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed in patients with psoriasis more often than in general population, especially in female patients older than 40 years old with a longer and more severe form of psoriasis. Etiology of the metabolic changes is still not completely understood, although there is evidence that metabolic changes are not exclusively the result of long active disease, but can precede the first onset of symptoms. T helper (Th) Th1- and Th17-cells-mediated immunological response systemically present in psoriasis contributes to the development or deterioration of diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and obesity. Treatment of psoriasis is based on the management of skin disease and its comorbidities adjusted to individual patient. Use of methotrexate and biological agents such as infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept has shown lower rates of mortality, myocardial infarction and stroke with improvement of endothelial function in regards to patients treated with other therapeutical options. Approach to a patient suffering from psoriasis needs to be comprehensive and multidisciplinary, involving the management of psoriasis, prevention, early diagnosis and adequate management of its comorbidities.
Hyalinosis cutis et mucosae is an inherited disease, characterized by deposition of a hyaline-like substance in the dermis and internal organs. In the present study, we report a 30 year follow up in ...a female patient with hyalinosis cutis et mucosae treated using dermabrasion and oral retinoids. In our opinion, the lesion on uncovered body areas should be corrected as soon as possible to enable a normal psychophysical development. The lesions on skin and oral mucosa may be successfully removed without remission with dermabrasion in early childhood. In addition, oral retinoids in adulthood may produce some improvement.
UV radiation is present in sunlight and can be emitted from numerous artificial sources. Outdoor workers are exposed to sunlight in a wide variety of occupations like sailors, fishers, construction ...workers, farmers, and other. Presented are the skin diseases caused by sunlight exposure. They may be of little medical importance such as stigmata or create problems like photoaging, skin carcinoma, melanoma, phototoxic and photoallergic reactions. Shown are briefly data on skin cancer in the Rijeka region in outdoor occupations, the legislation and necessity for prevention. Psoriatic patients need particular caution because they are exposed to UVR, tars, and immunosuppressive drugs during the treatment.
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune-mediated disorder in which the proximal hair follicle (HF) attack results in non-scarring partial to total scalp or body hair loss. Despite the growing knowledge ...about AA, its exact cause still needs to be understood. However, immunity and genetic factors are affirmed to be critical in AA development. While the genome-wide association studies proved the innate and acquired immunity involvement, AA mouse models implicated the IFN-γ- and cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell-mediated immune response as the main drivers of disease pathogenesis. The AA hair loss is caused by T-cell-mediated inflammation in the HF area, disturbing its function and disrupting the hair growth cycle without destroying the follicle. Thus, the loss of HF immune privilege, autoimmune HF destruction mediated by cytotoxic mechanisms, and the upregulation of inflammatory pathways play a crucial role. AA is associated with concurrent systemic and autoimmune disorders such as atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, psoriasis, and thyroiditis. Likewise, the patient’s quality of life (QoL) is significantly impaired by morphologic disfigurement caused by the illness. The patients experience a negative impact on psychological well-being and self-esteem and may be more likely to suffer from psychiatric comorbidities. This manuscript aims to present the latest knowledge on the pathogenesis of AA, which involves genetic, epigenetic, immunological, and environmental factors, with a particular emphasis on immunopathogenesis.
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