Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as pattern hair loss, is the most common type of hair loss in men and women. Due to very limited therapeutic options, search for other effective and safe drugs is necessary. Objectives: This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a potential treatment option, topical adenosine, for AGA in male and female adults. Methods: A search of databases (Cochrane Library, Pubmed Medline, and others) was performed with no time limitations placed. We included human interventional studies published in English involving the use of topical adenosine for AGA in healthy adult males and females. Risk bias assessment was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration criteria. Results: All four trials in this review, with a total of 260 participants, used 0.75% topical adenosine lotion twice a day for a period of 6-12 months. Comparators were placebo, topical niacinamide, and topical minoxidil. Evaluated parameters include improvement in baldness grading as assessed by dermatologists and investigators, improvement and satisfaction as assessed by participants, anagen growth, thick/thin/vellus hair ratio, and hair density. Two trials found significant improvement with thick hair ratio (>60 or >80 μm) with the use of topical adenosine while two trials showed higher overall participant satisfaction with topical adenosine. Few to no adverse effects were reported with its use. Conclusion This is the first systematic review involving topical adenosine for AGA. Topical adenosine may be effective in increasing thick hair ratio and improving the self-perception of hair growth. With minimal to no adverse effects, it may serve as an adjunct or alternative to present treatment options. However, more studies are needed to strengthen these findings.
Alopecia

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is a soft tissue sarcoma of adipocytic lineage. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry are essential for diagnosis. A 51-year-old Filipino woman presented with a rapidly enlarging left gluteal tumor. Histopathology revealed a multilobulated tumor having prominent myxoid stroma with numerous stellate-shaped, atypical cells bearing atypical mitotic figures. Other lobules were composed of sheets of pleomorphic cells, with atypical mitotic figures. The tumor stained positively with alcian blue, vimentin, MDM2 and p16 stains. Other immunohistochemical (IHC) studies done (pancytokeratin, CK7, CK 20, CD 34, CEA, desmin, EMA, SMA, S100) showed negative results. After a 2 cm wide excision of the sarcoma, patient was free from local tumor recurrence for 2 months, after which she was lost to follow-up. We report this case and a brief review of the current literature on dedifferentiated liposarcoma.
Liposarcoma ; Immunohistochemistry

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD) is an uncommon acantholytic disorder of the skin. This is a case of a 64-year-old Filipino female with a chronic history of painful and malodorous intertriginous plaques. Histopathologic evaluation showed overlapping features of pemphigus vulgaris and Hailey-Hailey disease. A negative direct immunofluorescence test clinched the diagnosis of Hailey-Hailey disease. The patient was advised regarding preventive measures and treated with topical antibiotics and corticosteroids with improvement of her lesions.
Pemphigus, Benign Familial ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct

Nodular syphilis with a granulomatous inflammatory histopathologic pattern is an uncommon cutaneous presentation of secondary syphilis which could pose a diagnostic challenge for clinicians and pathologists alike.

A 33-year-old male diagnosed with HIV presented with a 5-week history of asymptomatic generalized erythematous papules and nodules with overlying scales, with involvement of the palms and soles. Histopathologic examination of a nodule from the forearm revealed non-caseating granulomas in a background of a mixed cell inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes, epithelioid and foamy histiocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, and multinucleated giant cells. Warthin-Starry Stain revealed spirochetal organisms, while Fite-Faraco and Periodic Acid-Schiff stains were negative for acid-fast bacilli and fungal elements, respectively. Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) was reactive (1:256). Patient was given a single dose of benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units intramuscularly, with noted complete resolution of skin lesions as well as an 8-fold decrease in RPR titers.

Nodular lesions are an uncommon cutaneous manifestation of secondary syphilis, and the associated histopathologic finding of granulomatous inflammatory pattern is also unusual, posing a diagnostic challenge. With the increasing prevalence of syphilis, especially among HIV patients, dermatologists, dermatopathologists, internists, and infectious disease specialists should be aware of such presentations of syphilis.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune hair disorder, with the clinical variants ophiasis and extensive variants AA totalis and universalis, having poor response to therapy. Oral steroids are used to treat the severe variants, requiring prolonged therapy, which leads to side effects while discontinuation leads to high relapse rate. Azathioprine is a steroid-sparing agent for the severe AA forms.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current evidence on the therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects of azathioprine for severe forms of alopecia areata

METHODS: Published articles utilizing azathioprine for alopecia areata were obtained until July 2018 from PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, TRIP database, HERDIN, and Google Scholar.

RESULTS: Seven articles underwent a full-length review. Clinical variants include patchy, diffuse, steroid-resistant, reticulate, totalis, universalis, ophiasis, and sisaipho. Doses ranged from 2 to 2.5 mg/kg/day or weekly 5 mg/kg pulse therapy. Initial response ranged from 6 to 12 weeks, with almost complete resolution by 32 weeks. Response was sustained for 6 months upon discontinuation, with only 14% relapsing at 2.5 months. Adverse effects were gastrointestinal discomfort, elevated liver function tests, and myelosuppression.

CONCLUSION: There is emerging evidence on the efficacy and safety of azathioprine for the treatment of extensive forms of alopecia areata. Randomized-controlled trials are needed to evaluate its efficacy.

Porocarcinoma is a rare, cutaneous adnexal malignancy usually seen in elderly patients. We present three females with varying lesions located at the head region with a history of a sudden increase in growth. Histologically, all were composed of nests of basaloid cells showing atypia, mitotic figures and eccrine-differentiated ductal elements. One patient underwent excision (0.5 cm margin) and was recurrence-free one-month post-op. This series also brings a brief review of the current literature on porocarcinoma.
Eccrine Porocarcinoma

Background: Dermoscopy enhances detection of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), especially for the pigmented subtype common among Asians. However, there is limited data on dermoscopic features of BCC in Filipinos. Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the clinicopathologic profile and dermoscopic features of BCC in Filipinos seen in a tertiary care clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Philippines from November 2019 to December 2021 in a tertiary care clinic. Fifty-three (53) lesions suspicious for BCC were analyzed using dermoscopy prior to histologic confirmation. Fifty (50) biopsy-proven BCC lesions were included in the analysis. Results: Lesions were more commonly seen in females (72.50%), and located on the head and neck (88%). The most common histopathologic subtype was nodular (74%). The most common dermoscopic features were large blue-gray ovoid nests (86%) and ulcerations (70%). Conclusion The most common BCC type among the study participants was nodular, with large blue-gray ovoid nests and ulceration seen on dermoscopy.
carcinoma, basal cell ; dermoscopy