Keratinocyte apoptosis, p53 and Bcl - 2 expression in systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of this study was to investigate whether apoptosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of cutaneous changes in lupus erythematosus [LE] and whether certain apoptosis-related markers such as p53 and Bcl-2 proteins take part in this process. Skin biopsies from ten patients with specific cutaneous lesions of systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and five healthy controls were studied. Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling technique [TUNEL]. The expression of p53 and Bcl-2 was studied by immunohistochemistry. The results showed a remarkable increase in the apoptotic rate within the epidermis in SLE. Unlike normal skin, a large number of keratinocytes, particularly those morphologically apoptotic, expressed p53 protein. Bcl-2 expression was similar in both normal and lesional skin

Pulsed carbon dioxide laser in treatment of basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis

To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed CO2 laser in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma [BCC] and actinic keratosis [AK], ten patients with superficial BCCs, eight patients with nodular BCCs and ten patients with AK were treated with pulsed CO2 laser and followed up for one year. A complete clinical cure with accepted cosmetic results was observed in all patients with superficial BCCs and AK. No recurrence was seen during one-year follow up. In contrast, only two cases of nodular BCCs showed clinical cure and no recurrence within the follow up period. The other six cases showed treatment failure and recurrence during the follow up period. It was concluded that pulsed CO2 laser can be an alternative therapeutic modality in superficial BCC and AK. On the other hand, pulsed CO2 laser can not be reliably recommended for nodular BCC