2 Arron ST, Canavan T, Yu SS. Organ transplant recipients with Merkel cell carcinoma have reduced progression-free, overall, and disease-specific survival independent of stage at presentation.

Background Melanoma, which is the sixth most common cancer in women, is visible on the surface of the skin; therefore, self-screening (skin self-examination [SSE]) may be beneficial. Methods A convenience sample of women undergoing mammography was sequentially assigned by week into this two-arm targeted melanoma screening intervention. Both groups saw an informational poster and received a brochure promoting risk self-identification and SSE education. One group received an additional 1-week SSE reminder. Participants completed baseline and 1- and 3-month follow-up surveys assessing SSE performance, identifying a concerning mole, scheduling a dermatology appointment, and anxiety due to the program. Performance of SSE between groups was compared using χ2 analysis. The electronic medical record was reviewed for diagnosis of concerning moles. Results At 1 month, 384 of 420 (91.4% retention) women completed the survey. Of those, 311 (80.9%) performed SSE. Of those who performed SSE, 54 (14%) found a concerning mole at either 1 or 3 months. At 3 months, 346 (82.4% retention) women completed the survey. The number of women who performed SSE did not differ between groups at 1 month (χ2 = 1.64, P = .17) or 3 months (χ2 = 1.58, P = .12). Seven melanomas were found among 34 women who identified a concerning mole; examination of 4.8 women yielded one melanoma. Anxiety was low with a median score of 9.5 (range = 0–42.9). Conclusions Introducing melanoma risks and SSE education during mammography was feasible and did not demonstrate harms; thus, there is an opportunity to reach a large, at-risk population with limited burden for the participant and clinics.

Skin self-examination (SSE) is a fundamental screening method that can improve early detection

Objectives To explore potential relationships between PET/CT imaging characteristics of cold-activated brown adipose tissue (BAT), measures of adiposity and metabolic markers in young men. Methods We conducted a post-hoc analysis of a study designed to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to the reference standard, PET/CT, in characterizing BAT. A total of 25 healthy male participants ages 18–24 and body mass index (BMI) ranging from 19.4 to 35.9 Kg/m2 were included in the study. A physical exam and fasting lab draw were performed, including measurement of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipid panel, thyroid function tests, leptin, adiponectin, FGF-21 and IL-6. Body composition was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). An individualized cooling protocol was utilized to activate BAT. Subjects were wrapped in a water-infused suit (CritiCool® System, Mennen Medical, Israel) and cooled to achieve non-shivering thermogenesis prior to imaging. Measures of cold-activated BAT, including mean standardized uptake value adjusted for lean mass (SUVlean mean), maximum SUV (SUVlean max), total BAT activity, and BAT volume were determined from PET/CT images. Pearson's and Spearman's rank correlations were employed to relate measures of active BAT to adiposity and metabolic parameters. Results There was an inverse relationship between fasting serum glucose and BAT volume (r = −0.40, P = 0.048). In addition, a positive correlation was observed for serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) and SUVlean max (r = 0.45, P = 0.04). Marginally significant inverse relationships were noted between fasting glucose and total BAT activity (r = −0.39, P = 0.05) and leptin and SUVlean mean (r = −0.42, P = 0.05). However, no significant correlations were noted for measures of BAT activity or volume and other indicators of adiposity or glucose metabolism. Conclusions Data from this exploratory study suggest that BAT volume and activity may be inversely associated with fasting glucose in healthy young men. BAT activity was also correlated with an insulin sensitizer, FGF-21, suggesting BAT may lower glucose levels via an FGF-21 dependent pathway. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential mechanisms by which active BAT may impact glucose metabolism and the relationship between BAT and adiposity. Funding Sources NIDDK.