The British journal of dermatology
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Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in the U. K. and its incidence is increasing. Vismodegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, has recently been licensed by the U. ⋯ Further research is needed to investigate means of circumventing these side-effects, and longitudinal data are required to assess the long-term benefits of, and the nature of resistance to, this novel class of agents. Alternative hedgehog inhibitors are currently in clinical development. We review the current data pertaining to this novel treatment modality and discuss its likely future role in the management of BCC.
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Case Reports
Novel cutaneous effects of combination chemotherapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors: a report of two cases.
The discovery that some melanoma tumours harbour mutations in the BRAF gene (e.g. V600E) and the subsequent development of specific BRAF inhibitors have greatly improved the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Resistance of tumour cells to BRAF inhibitors is reduced by the addition of an MEK inhibitor; both BRAF and MEK inhibitors have been reported to produce a variety of dermatological toxic effects. ⋯ This inflammation manifested in one patient as a nonspecific papular eruption; in the other, in association with clinical regression of multiple benign-appearing naevi during the course of therapy. The significance of sarcoidal-type inflammation occurring during treatment of metastatic melanoma with a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors is unclear. Its association with the clinical regression of benign-appearing naevi suggests a possible exaggerated inflammatory response to degenerating naevus cells in these lesions.