UV responses in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, and, Asians residing in Hawai'i and in Maryland

Abstract

Background UV exposure causes a wide range of skin damage including cutaneous melanoma. The mechanisms of cellular and molecular damage as well as erythemal and pigmentation responses to UV exposure have largely been studied in the White population. Methods This study systematically investigates responses to UV exposure in the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) and Asian populations living in Hawai'i (A/HI) as well as in Asians living in Maryland (A/MD). Results Our analyses indicate that the NHPI population is less sensitive to UV exposure than the A/HI population. Comparisons between the two Asian groups suggest that, despite slightly but not statistically different baseline constitutive pigmentation (pre-UV exposure), the A/HI and A/MD had similar UV sensitivity, measured as minimal erythemal dose (MED). However, the A/MD population had higher levels of oxy-hemoglobin at doses of 2.0, 2.8 and 4.0 MED. Unexpectedly the A/MD subjects retained higher levels of pigmentation 2 weeks post UV exposure. Conclusion This study provides insight into UV responses of the inhabitants of Hawai'i and shows that such responses are statistically significant for relatively small samples of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, and for Asians living in Hawai'i and Asians living in Maryland.

Primary cutaneous melanoma in Asian Americans: a retrospective cohort analysis of 1,179 cases from the National Cancer Database

“…On immunohistochemistry, the epithelial component stains positively for CK1, CK10, CK15, CK16, and CK17. 3 High expression of CK15 suggests that the infundibulocystic structures originate from abnormal multipotent stem cells of the hair follicle. The stroma of FSCH is positive for nestin and S100A.…”

“…1 Clinically, FSCH presents as an asymptomatic, solitary, flesh-colored nodule, which can be sessile or pedunculated. 1,3 Most lesions grow steadily over time to reach approximately 1-1.5 cm in diameter. 3 FSCH favors the face, but it has also been reported on the trunk, genitals, and extremities.…”

“…1,3 Most lesions grow steadily over time to reach approximately 1-1.5 cm in diameter. 3 FSCH favors the face, but it has also been reported on the trunk, genitals, and extremities. 1 FSCH can mimic dermal nevus, epidermal cyst, soft fibroma, and adnexal tumors.…”

“…Typical histological findings in FSCH involve infundibular cystic structures to which sebaceous ducts and lobules are attached. 1,3 The size, shape, and differentiation of the sebaceous elements are highly variable. The epithelial component is surrounded by a stroma containing fibrillary bundles of collagen with proliferating adipocytes and an increased number of capillaries and small venules.…”

“…Upon stimulation, eosinophils release preformed IL-4 and IL-13 to potentiate the Th2 immune response. 3 Dupilumab may be efficacious in Wells syndrome via direct and indirect inhibition of eosinophil-associated Th2 inflammatory pathways, though the mechanism remains unknown.…”