Comprehensive considerations for dermatologists: the application of FDG-PET in evaluating cutaneous lesions in pediatric Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a complex disorder characterized by the clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells, primarily affecting children and adolescents. This condition exhibits a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Cutaneous manifestations of LCH are significant, mimicking common dermatoses and posing diagnostic challenges. [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) has emerged as an important tool in the evaluation of pediatric LCH, offering insights into disease activity, extent, and therapeutic response. Moreover, FDG-PET provides a non-invasive means to distinguish between active LCH skin lesions and other dermatological conditions with similar clinical appearances, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and aiding in disease monitoring. This educational review summarizes the utility of nuclear imaging techniques, with a focus on PET scans, in the diagnosis and management of cutaneous pediatric LCH. A comprehensive literature search identified seven relevant articles, including retrospective studies and case reports. These studies highlight the efficacy of FDG-PET in localizing active LCH skin lesions, monitoring disease activity, and guiding treatment decisions. FDG-PET represents a valuable imaging modality for dermatologists, oncologists, and pediatricians managing pediatric LCH patients with cutaneous involvement. This non-invasive technique contributes to improved diagnostic accuracy and facilitates early intervention, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.

Advancements in dendritic cell vaccination: enhancing efficacy and optimizing combinatorial strategies for the treatment of glioblastoma.

Glioblastomas (GBM) are highly invasive, malignant primary brain tumors. The overall prognosis is poor, and management of GBMs remains a formidable challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies such as dendritic cell vaccinations (DCVs). While many early clinical trials demonstrate an induction of an antitumoral immune response, outcomes are mixed and dependent on numerous factors that vary between trials. Optimization of DCVs is essential; the selection of GBM-specific antigens and the utilization of 18F-fludeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) may add significant value and ultimately improve outcomes for patients undergoing treatment for glioblastoma. This review provides an overview of the mechanism of DCV, assesses previous clinical trials, and discusses future strategies for the integration of DCV into glioblastoma treatment protocols. To conclude, the review discusses challenges associated with the use of DCVs and highlights the potential of integrating DCV with standard therapies.