Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common form of cancer worldwide, comprising 95% of all cutaneous malignancies and approximately 40% of all cancers. In spite of intensive efforts aimed towards awareness campaigns and sun-protective measures, epidemiological data indicate an increase in the incidence of NMSC. This category of skin cancers has many common environmental triggers. Arising primarily on sun-exposed skin, it has been shown that ultraviolet radiation is, in the majority of cases, the main trigger involved in the pathogenesis of NMSC. Aside from the well-known etiopathogenic factors, studies have indicated that several neuroactive factors are involved in the carcinogenesis of two of the most common types of NMSC, namely basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with the exception of penile SCC, for which a paucity of specific data on their pathogenic role exists. The complex interaction between the peripheral nervous system and target cells in the skin appears to be mediated by locally released neuroendocrine factors, such as catecholamines, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide and somatostatin, as well as neurohormones, such as proopiomelanocortin and its derived peptides, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and adrenocorticotropin. All these factors have been, at least at some point, a subject of debate regarding their precise role in the pathogenesis of NMSC. There is also a significant body of evidence indicating that psychological stress is a crucial impact factor influencing the course of skin cancers, including SCC and BCC. Numerous studies have suggested that neuroendocrine factor dysregulation, as observed in stress reactions, may be involved in tumorigenesis, accelerating the development and progression, and suppressing the regression of NMSC. Further studies are required in order to elucidate the exact mechanisms through which neuroactive molecules promote or inhibit cutaneous carcinogenesis, as this could lead to the development of more sophisticated and tailored treatment protocols, as well as open new perspectives in skin cancer research.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is the most frequently encountered type of skin lymphoma in humans. CTCL encompasses multiple variants, but the most common types are mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS). While most cases of MF run a mild course over a period of many years, other subtypes of CTCL are very aggressive. The rapidly expanding fields of proteomics and genomics have not only helped increase knowledge concerning the carcinogenesis and tumor biology of CTCL but also led to the discovery of novel markers for targeted therapy. Although multiple biomarkers linked to CTCL have been known for a relatively long time (e.g., CD25, CD45, CD45RA, and CD45R0), compared to other cancers (lymphoma, melanoma, colon carcinoma, head and neck cancer, renal cancer, and cutaneous B-cell lymphoma), information about the antigenicity of CTCL remains relatively limited and no dependable protein marker for CTCL has been discovered. Considering the aggressive nature of some types of CTCL, it is necessary to identify circulating molecules that can help in the early diagnosis, differentiation from inflammatory skin diseases (psoriasis, nummular eczema), and aid in predicting the prognosis and evolution of this pathology. This review aims to bring together some of the information concerning protein markers linked to CTCL, in an effort to further the understanding of the convolute processes involved in this complex pathology.

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Urticaria, defined by the presence of wheals and/or angioedema, is a common skin disorder, but the etiology of urticaria in children remains incompletely understood. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of urticaria in children. We retrospectively investigated 73 patients (range 0-14 years, female 40 patients) who suffered from urticaria and visited to our outpatient clinic more than twice from 2010 to 2013. Data were collected regarding age, sex, disease duration, severity and laboratory parameters such as total IgE, antinuclear antibodies and routine laboratory tests. From 73 patients with urticaria, there were 45 patients (61.6%) with spontaneous acute urticaria and 13 patients (17.8%) with spontaneous chronic urticaria. Mean disease duration at first visit of chronic urticaria was 5.0 months. Among the patients with spontaneous acute urticaria, infection was found as the trigger in 17 patients (37.8%). And there were 8 patients (11.0%) with allergic urticaria (food or drug), 5 patients (6.6%) with physical urticaria (solar, cold contact or heat contact), 2 patients (2.6%) with angioedema and 2 patients (2.6%) with mastocytosis. Our data showed that spontaneous acute urticaria was the most frequent type of urticaria, followed by spontaneous chronic urticaria. In addition, infections were the most frequent triggering factor of acute urticaria.

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