Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, involving the skin. It is also part of keratinocyte carcinomas, alongside its squamous counterpart. It has low mortality and extremely low metastatic rates (although when present, it indicates a poor patient prognosis); it also has a high morbidity rate through local destruction and recurrence, particularly when perineural invasion is observed, clinically or histopathologically. BCC development is the result of environmental and patient factors, with genetics and ultraviolet radiation playing major roles. The clinical and histopathological aspects vary according to tumor subtype, being classified as high-risk tumors (nodular, superficial, pigmented and infundibulocystic BCC with adnexal differentiation) and fibroepithelial subtypes, or as high-risk tumors (micronodular, infiltrating, sclerosing/morphoeic and basosquamous subtype or the type with sarcomatoid differentiation). Dermoscopy is now complimented by novel in vivo diagnostic tools (optical coherence tomography, reflectance confocal microscopy, high-resolution ultrasonography, Raman spectroscopy or terahertz pulse imaging), improving the diagnostic accuracy and providing tumor depth and lateral margins without the use of invasive techniques. Novel treatment approaches for the treatment of BCC have recently been investigated with the use of hedgehog pathway inhibitors, such as Vismodegib. These approaches aim for complete resolution, minimal side-effects, high patient satisfaction with the optimal cosmetic results, particularly in key areas, such as the face. The present review article summarizes and discusses the comprehensive clinical and histopathological aspects of BCC, and presents novel imaging tools and therapeutic approaches that have been identified.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a cytokine produced by various cells of the human body (macrophages, lymphocytes, astrocytes, ischemic myocytes, endothelial cells) has both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties, being a key component in regulating various physiologic and pathological processes. The structure of this molecule and the receptor system it possesses are important due to the different activities that IL-6 can exert; through trans-signaling pro-inflammatory activities are mediated, while through classic signaling, IL-6 is responsible for anti-inflammatory and regenerative activities. IL-6 signaling is involved in coronary artery disease and the global COVID-19 pandemic. This proatherogenic cytokine reaches elevated serum levels in the cytokine storm generated by SARS-CoV-2, and is also associated with smoking or obesity-classic cardiovascular risk factors which promote inflammatory states. IL-6 levels are proportionally correlated with dyslipidemia, hypertension and glucose dysregulation, and they are associated with poor outcomes in patients with unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction. IL-6 targeting for treatment development (not only) in cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 is still a matter of ongoing research, although tocilizumab has proven to be effective in reducing the proatherogenic effects of IL-6 and is suggested to improve COVID-19 patient survival.

β-Blockers are a widely utilised class of medication. They have been in use for a variety of systemic disorders including hypertension, heart failure and intention tremors. Their use in dermatology has garnered growing interest with the discovery of their therapeutic effects in the treatment of haemangiomas, their potential positive effects in wound healing, Kaposi sarcoma, melanoma and pyogenic granuloma, and, more recently, pemphigus. Since β-blockers are deployed in a variety of disorders, which have cutaneous co-morbidities such as psoriasis, their pertinence to dermatologists cannot be overstated. Likewise, β-blockers, like any other drug category, carry risks of side effects, some of which are dermatologic. These include triggering and exacerbation of psoriasis, psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, anaphylaxis, contact dermatitis, occupational contact dermatitis, Raynaud's disease, alopecia, lichen planus-like drug eruption, hyperhydrosis and vitiligo. While recent articles have focussed on the positive uses of β-blockers, it may also be wise to call our attention to the potential dermatologic adverse effects that may follow β-blocker use, as well as possible therapeutic approaches to these. This short review will focus on those dermatoses resulting from β-blocker use, which have an immunologic basis.

Although vitiligo is one of the most frequently occurring depigmentary disorder, its pathophysiology is still not fully clarified, resulting in the incapacity to find a targeted cure. Most of the treatment options available at the time have an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive effect, influencing the immune factor in vitiligo but without having a direct effect on melanocyte differentiation, migration or proliferation. This study shows that Piper nigrum (PN) extract and its main alkaloid, piperine, promote melanocyte proliferation in vivo, being consistent with previous study. A PN fruit extract and pure piperine were integrated in two different ointments and tested on human subjects affected by vitiligo. A number of 9 areas were treated: 3 using the extract, 3 using pure piperine, 1 using travoprost solution, and 2 using an association of travoprost (prostaglandin F2α analogue) solution and our products. Pigmentation was achieved in all the treated areas. The extract caused faster and more remarkable results than the pure piperine. The association of the travoprost solution speed up the process and changed the pigmentation pattern, especially when associated with the PN extract. Our early studies suggest that PN extract may represent, in the future, a new treatment option for vitiligo, especially considering the mild side effects of the tested products and the reduced amount of time needed for repigmentation. However, more studies are needed to validate this experimental data.

The present paper is a review on hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic frequently used in therapeutics, also underlining several particularities observed in time and correlated with the results in the literature in what concerns the phototoxic action of this diuretic on skin.

Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid used for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. In addition to these therapeutic indications, it is also recommended for nausea and vomiting treatment which may occur during the postoperative period, with impact on postoperative evolution, regarding the evolution of wound healing and length of stay (LOS), with a reflection on the costs of hospital admission. Therefore, their prevention is very important for both patients� comfort and a good recovery.

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Linked article: This article is commentary on by F. Forton et al., pp. e47–e48 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15162