Mona Abdel-Halim

n/a

Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of primary cutaneous T cell lymphomas. Doxycycline promoted apoptosis in different human malignant cell lines and in vivo models. To test for the therapeutic efficacy of doxycycline in comparison to PUVA in early stages of classic MF and its effect on T cell apoptosis. Thirty-six patients were randomized into either: doxycycline 200 mg daily ( = 18) or PUVA (3 weekly sessions) ( = 18) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome (therapeutic efficacy) was defined in terms of objective response rate (ORR) which was measured according to changes in the modified severity weighted assessment tool (mSWAT). Doxycycline achieved significantly less ORR (partial response) in comparison to PUVA (11.1%, 50%, respectively,  = .016). The percent reduction in mSWAT, CAILS, histopathology score and CD3 expression was significantly less in the doxycycline group ( = .001,  = .001,  ˂ .001, and  = .004, respectively). Within the doxycycline group, changes in mSWAT and CAILS showed no correlation with changes in the CD3 or Bcl-2 expression. Gastric upset was significantly more encountered in the doxycycline group ( = .001). Doxycycline is not suitable as a sole agent in the treatment of early stages of classic MF, acting mainly by anti-inflammatory rather apoptotic function. NCT03454945 ( www.clinicaltrials.gov ).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser use in the treatment of mature burn scars. This was an uncontrolled, open-label clinical trial. The setting for this study was Dermatology Department at Cairo University in Cairo, Egypt. Twenty patients with mature burn scars were included in the study. Three fractional carbon dioxide laser sessions were given, 4 to 8 weeks apart. Primary outcome was measured using two scar scales, the Vancouver Scar Scale and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale. Secondary outcomes included evaluation of collagen and elastic fibers using routine hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and orcein stains. Outcomes were measured two months after the last laser session. Both Vancouver Scar Scale and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale showed significant reduction following treatment (<0.001). Scar relief and pliability improved most followed by vascularity. Pigmentation improved the least. Percent improvement in Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale patients' overall assessment was 44.44 percent. The pattern and arrangement of collagen and elastic fibers showed significant improvement (<0.001, =0.001, respectively), together with significant improvement in their amounts (=0.020, <0.001, respectively). No significant correlation existed between clinical and histopathological/histochemical scores. Side effects and complications were mild and tolerable. Fractional carbon dioxide laser use is an effective and safe method for treating burn scars with a significant change in the opinion of the patients about their scar appearance.