Cinzia Masini

Bio: Cinzia Masini is an academic researcher from Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. The author has contributed to research in topics: Kaposi's sarcoma & Population. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 24 publications receiving 1723 citations.

Evidence for the Association of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Immunocompetent Individuals

Abstract: terview and examination by a dermatologist. Results: Positive serologic findings for HPV type 8 were associated with SCC (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-7.9) independently of other risk factors, whereas positive serologic findings for HPV type 15 were negatively associated with SCC (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.9). Other variables significantly associated with the tumor were family history of skin cancer, professional or recreational sun exposure, light eye color, high number of solar keratoses and seborrheic keratoses on the body surface, and residency in radon-emitting buildings.

Association Between Poorer Quality of Life and Psychiatric Morbidity in Patients With Different Dermatological Conditions

Abstract: Objective To determine the relationship between skin-related quality of life and psychiatric morbidity in patients with different skin conditions. Methods We recruited all adults attending the outpatient clinics of the Dermatological Institute IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy, during 14 predetermined days. Eligible patients, who gave their informed consent, completed the Skindex-29 and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We used a stringent cut-off threshold (> or =5 on the GHQ-12) for identification of psychiatric morbidity. Skindex-29 scale scores were computed separately for GHQ noncases and GHQ cases. Results A total of 2,136 patients were included in the analysis. For all skin conditions, GHQ cases had substantially poorer score in all 3 domains of quality of life, Symptoms, Emotions, and Functioning. Most differences remained significant after adjusting for clinical severity, age, sex, and education in multiple regression models. These differences were not as marked in the Symptoms scale for some conditions known to be nearly asymptomatic (eg, alopecia, vitiligo, nevi), suggesting that, although patients with psychiatric morbidity might be more burdened by their symptoms, nevertheless they do not perceive nonexistent symptoms. Conclusion In most skin conditions we considered, psychiatric morbidity was strongly associated with poorer quality of life. Although the cross-sectional nature of our study does not allow identification of the direction of this association, care for the psychological condition of patients might have an impact on their quality of life.

Risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer in Italian organ transplant recipients. A registry-based study.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Organ transplant recipients are at an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Few data concern heart transplantation and populations from southern Europe. METHODS A total of 1,329 patients who received their first kidney (1,062 subjects) or heart allograft (267 subjects) were included in a partly retrospective cohort study to evaluate the risk of skin cancer. The incidence rate per 1,000 person-years and the cumulative incidence were computed. Standardized morbidity ratio was estimated by comparison with Italian cancer registry data. To analyze the role of potential prognostic factors, Cox's regression method was used. RESULTS The overall incidence rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer was 10.0 cases per 1,000 posttransplant person-years (95% confidence interval 8.2-11.7). This estimate was far higher than expected in the general population. The overall risk of developing skin cancer increased from a cumulative incidence of 5.8% after 5 posttransplant years to an incidence of 10.8% after 10 years of graft survival. In a Cox proportional hazard risk model, the most important factors that appeared to favor the development of skin cancer were age at transplantation and sex. After adjustment for age at transplantation and sex, no definite increased risk was documented among heart as compared with kindney transplant recipients. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms the increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer among organ transplant recipients in a southern European population.

Therapy with rituximab for autoimmune pemphigus: Results from a single-center observational study on 42 cases with long-term follow-up

Abstract: Background Rituximab induces depletion of B cells and has shown efficacy in antibody-mediated autoimmune disorders. In studies on small series of patients with pemphigus, rituximab administration results in significant improvement. However, differences in inclusion criteria, treatment protocols, and follow-up make it difficult to derive uniform conclusions. Objectives We sought to test the efficacy and tolerability of rituximab as adjuvant therapy to corticosteroids in the treatment of pemphigus. Methods In all, 42 patients with pemphigus were treated with rituximab and followed up for up to 5 years. No additional immunosuppressive agents were used. Steroids were rapidly tapered. Outcomes were the proportion of patients who achieved a complete response on or off therapy, the rate of discontinuation of corticosteroid within 6 months, length of remission, time to relapses, and occurrence of adverse events. Results In all, 36 of 42 patients (86%; 95% confidence interval 75%-96%) achieved a complete response on or off therapy and discontinued steroids within 6 months from induction therapy. Six patients had a complete response off therapy with an additional infusion of rituximab 6 months after initial treatment. Twenty patients experienced a total of 34 relapses; the time to relapse was 8 to 64 months. Every relapse was treated with rituximab (500 mg) without corticosteroids, which induced a new complete response. No serious adverse events were observed. Limitations Lack of a control group is a limitation. Conclusions Rituximab therapy induces prolonged clinical remission in patients with pemphigus. Coadministration of other immunosuppressive agents is not necessary. Relapses can be managed with additional infusions administered on demand.

Global, Regional, and National Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Years of Life Lost, Years Lived With Disability, and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years for 29 Cancer Groups, 1990 to 2016: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Abstract: Importance The increasing burden due to cancer and other noncommunicable diseases poses a threat to human development, which has resulted in global political commitments reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on Non-Communicable Diseases. To determine if these commitments have resulted in improved cancer control, quantitative assessments of the cancer burden are required. Objective To assess the burden for 29 cancer groups over time to provide a framework for policy discussion, resource allocation, and research focus. Evidence Review Cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were evaluated for 195 countries and territories by age and sex using the Global Burden of Disease study estimation methods. Levels and trends were analyzed over time, as well as by the Sociodemographic Index (SDI). Changes in incident cases were categorized by changes due to epidemiological vs demographic transition. Findings In 2016, there were 17.2 million cancer cases worldwide and 8.9 million deaths. Cancer cases increased by 28% between 2006 and 2016. The smallest increase was seen in high SDI countries. Globally, population aging contributed 17%; population growth, 12%; and changes in age-specific rates, −1% to this change. The most common incident cancer globally for men was prostate cancer (1.4 million cases). The leading cause of cancer deaths and DALYs was tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer (1.2 million deaths and 25.4 million DALYs). For women, the most common incident cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths and DALYs was breast cancer (1.7 million incident cases, 535 000 deaths, and 14.9 million DALYs). In 2016, cancer caused 213.2 million DALYs globally for both sexes combined. Between 2006 and 2016, the average annual age-standardized incidence rates for all cancers combined increased in 130 of 195 countries or territories, and the average annual age-standardized death rates decreased within that timeframe in 143 of 195 countries or territories. Conclusions and Relevance Large disparities exist between countries in cancer incidence, deaths, and associated disability. Scaling up cancer prevention and ensuring universal access to cancer care are required for health equity and to fulfill the global commitments for noncommunicable disease and cancer control.

Homing and cellular traffic in lymph nodes

Abstract: Lymph nodes (LNs) are the organs where innate immune responses lead to acquired immunity, where some of our most devastating pathogens evade immunity, and where autoreactive lymphocytes first encounter tissue-specific self-antigens and are either tolerized or activated. The many roles of LNs depend on the coordinated migration of its cellular constituents. This article covers new insights into the organization and microvascular specialization of LNs, the guidance mechanisms that allow lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells to find their correct place in the nodal parenchyma; and the role of afferent lymph flow in LN function.

Kaposi's Sarcoma

Abstract: In 1872, Moritz Kaposi, a Hungarian dermatologist, described five men with aggressive “idiopathic multiple pigmented sarcomas of the skin.”1 One patient died of gastrointestinal bleeding 15 months after the initial appearance of the skin lesions, and an autopsy showed visceral lesions in the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. Subsequently, other investigators described four clinical variants of Kaposi's sarcoma that had identical histologic features but developed in specific populations and had different sites of involvement and rates of progression (Table 1). In the light of recent discoveries regarding the viral pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma, these variants most likely represent different manifestations . . .

Management of cutaneous melanoma.

Abstract: Cutaneous melanoma remains a management challenge. This year an estimated 55,000 Americans will receive a diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma, and 7900 will die from the disease. The authors of this review discuss the pathogenesis and management of cutaneous melanoma and provide perspective on treatment options.