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Since Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) was linked as the predominant etiology of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in 2008, three additional human polyomaviruses (HPyV) have been definitively linked to cutaneous diseases—trichodysplasia spinulosa virus (TSPyV) and human polyomavirus 6 and 7 (HPyV6, HPyV7). TSPyV contributes to the development of trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS), and HPyV6/7 is associated closely with the eruption of pruritic and dyskeratotic dermatoses (PDD). Clinically, MCC is treated with surgical excision and radiation with adjuvant chemotherapy, although newer treatment options include immune checkpoint inhibition. These novel immunotherapies hold promise for the treatment of metastatic MCC, but resistance and side effects prevent a significant proportion of patients from realizing their benefits. Based on previous case reports, the standard of care for the less deadly but disfiguring cutaneous disease TS include immunosuppressant (IS) reduction, the use of antivirals such as cidofovir (CDV) or valganciclovir (VGCV), or a combination of these treatments. Similar treatments were attempted for PDD, but oral acitretin was found to be most effective. As MCC, TS, and PDD are rare diseases, further research is required for effective treatments. In this review, we summarize clinical trials, preclinical studies, and case reports that present outcomes and side effects of current and emerging treatments for HPyV‐associated cutaneous diseases, offering a comprehensive resource for clinical application and prospective clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MS-1 and MKL-1 cell lines with increasing selinexor concentrations results in downregulation of all evaluated MCC-specific tumor proteins (Fig. Dose-dependent downregulation of Merkel cell carcinoma tumor markers utilizing selinexor gl MCC tumor proteins - HMGB1, ATOH1, SOX2, Islet-1, LSD1, and survivin - are critical for MCC carcinogenesis. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinoma etiologically linked to clonal integration of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) (virus-positive MCC) and UV radiation (virus-negative MCC).[1] The prevalence of MCPyV-positive MCC varies worldwide, with one study showing that 69% of MCC tumors were virus positive in the United States whereas only 24% of tumors were virus positive in Australia.[2] Although surgery and radiation can be effective for local MCC, more effective treatment is needed for systemic MCC. [Extracted from the article]

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a rare angioproliferative tumor whose etiology is associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV 8). KS lesions typically involve the skin or mucosal surfaces and are characterized by purplish, red‐blue, or brown‐black macules, papules, and nodules which are prone to bleeding and ulceration. Definitive diagnosis requires biopsy revealing characteristic angioproliferative features. There are four widely recognized types of KS, which are histologically indistinguishable but differ in epidemiology and prognosis. These include classic, endemic, iatrogenic, and epidemic. KS has been increasingly recognized in a new subgroup of patients: men who have sex with men (MSM) but who are HIV‐seronegative human immuodeficiency virus‐seronegative and have no identifiable immunodeficiency. This fifth variant of KS, termed nonepidemic KS, resembles classic KS in presentation and prognosis. In this literature review, we report the characteristics of nonepidemic KS based on all published cases and highlight the need for clinicians to recognize this new clinical variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of pruritic skin conditions arising in immunocompromised patients are associated with viral infection. Recently, human polyomavirus 7 (HPyV7) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of eruptive pruritic parakeratotic and dyskeratotic dermatoses with distinct "peacock plumage" histology. While expression of HPyV7 viral protein, namely small tumor (sT) antigen, is prominent within lesional tissue, the functional role of HPyV7 in cutaneous pathobiology is not yet known. In this study, we demonstrate a novel role for HPyV7 sT antigen in pathways important for the maintenance of keratinocyte structure and function. In particular, HPyV7 sT was found to dysregulate protein phosphatase 2A through physical interactions that led to activation of MEK/ERK/c‐Jun and 4E‐BP1 (proteins that contribute to disorganized keratinocyte growth as well as hyperproliferative and inflammatory states). Given that HPyV7 actively infects keratinocytes and sT antigen is highly expressed in pruritic dyskeratotic/parakeratotic dermatoses, our data provide important mechanistic evidence supporting a pathogenic role for HPyV7 in cutaneous disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The patient was initiated on tildrakizumab for management of psoriasis and was advised to call the dermatology clinic if he developed any negative sequelae as a result of his acquired penile nodules. The patient was initiated on a 2-week regimen of naftifine 2% cream daily for treatment of tinea cruris, and was advised to return to the clinic if concerned about the penile nodules. GLO:DIF/01mar21:ijd15175-fig-0002.jpg PHOTO (COLOR): 2 Patient B. Subcutaneous nodules on the lateral penile shaft gl Artificial penile implants can be diagnostically challenging for physicians. [Extracted from the article]

Dear Editor, Cutaneous myoepithelioma (CM) is a rare, dermal neoplasm that generally behaves in a benign fashion and consists of myoepithelial cells. Cutaneous myoepitheliomas (CM) are dermal tumors that occur in adults and children, and predominantly Caucasian males. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed patchy positive staining for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), S-100 protein, and cytokeratin (AE1/3), and diffusely positive vimentin in the tumor cells (Fig. b). [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses various mechanisms by which Interferons (IFN) may act to inhibit or eradicate tumor targets, and surveys the clinical efficacy of IFNs against a number of malignancies. Interferons have been demonstrated to exert their antitumor effects through a number of direct and indirect mechanisms. While IFN alpha has been clinically tested against a wide range of tumors with very promising therapeutic results and acceptable toxicities in cases like hairy-cell leukemia, laryngeal papillomatosis and condyloma acuminatum, other tumors have shown little to no response to this IFN like tumors of the stomach, colon, lung, breast, and bone.

The article discusses the infections caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Although most strongyloidiasis is seen in tropical and subtropical areas, this nematode infection is endemic to the warm, humid southeastern United States. Chronic infection by S. stercoralis is often asymptomatic, or may cause mild gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as diarrhea, epigastric abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, bloating, etc. Strongyloides stercoralis is larva currens, meaning "racing larva" as evidenced by the "wide rapidly extending bands of urticaria."

The article discusses different cases revealing the presence of infections from Strongloides stercoralis. Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode of man with a worldwide distribution. Chronic infection by this is often asymptomatic or may cause nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. The best known dermatologic manifestation of chronic strongyloidiasis is a form of cutaneous larva migrans known as larva currens. Patients who are immunosuppressed, a hyperinfection characterized by fulminant multi-organ involvement with a large number of filariform larvae may supervene.