Although a 50+ sunscreen decreases significantly cutaneous vitamin D production following a single nbUVB exposure, and independently from the BSA, the circulating 25(OH)D levels were only minimally affected. This could be explained by a switch to another endogenous source of precursors. Short-term sunscreen use probably does not affect circulating vitamin D levels and hence does not increase the risk for osteoporosis. The effect of long-term sunscreen use remains however to be determined.

No abstract

We assessed the impact of the Janus Kinase (JAK) 1 inhibitor itacitinib on xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease (xGVHD). XGVHD was induced by i.v. injection 20 × 10 6 human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMC) in NSG mice on day 0. Itacitinib (3 mg, ≈120 mg/kg) or methylcellulose was administered by force-feeding twice a day from day 3 to day 28. Mice were followed for xGVHD score and survival. In addition, human T-cell engraftment and as well as human T-cell subtypes were monitored in blood on days 14, 21, and 28 after transplantation. We observed that itacitinib-treated mice had significantly longer survival than control mice (median 45 versus 33 days; P < 0.001). Further, they also had lower absolute numbers of human CD4 + T cells on days 21 and 28 after transplantation as well as of human CD8 + T cells on days 14, 21, and 28 after transplantation. In addition, itacitinib-treated mice had higher frequencies of human regulatory T cells (Treg) on days 21 and 28 after transplantation. In summary, our data indicate that itacitinib decreases human T-cell engraftment, increases Treg frequencies and attenuates xGVHD in NSG mice transplanted with hPBMC.

No abstract

High-dose intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG) has proved to be effective in the treatment of a number of immune disorders. We report two patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) who improved with IVGG therapy. These patients had become refractory to corticosteroids and had developed unacceptable steroid toxicity. We suggest that IVGG can be useful in the treatment of juvenile DM, by reducing steroid requirements, and replacing immunosuppressive drugs.