Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (HMF) is a form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a heterogeneous group of extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. HMF has a unique set of defining features that include light colored to achromic lesions, a predilection for darker skin phototypes, an early onset of disease, and predominance of CD8+ T-cells, among others. In the current review, we detail the known pathways of molecular pathogenesis for this lymphoma and posit that an active Th1/cytotoxic antitumor immune response in part explains why this variant is primarily seen in children/adolescents and young adults, who do not exhibit signs of immunosenescence. As a result of this potent cytotoxic response, HMF patients experience mostly favorable overall prognosis, while hypopigmentation may in fact represent a useful surrogate marker of cytotoxic immunity targeting the malignant cells. Understanding the molecular processes behind the specific features that define HMF may lead to improved diagnostic accuracy, personalized prognosis by risk stratification, and improved management of HMF. Moreover, improving our knowledge of HMF may aid our further understanding of other cutaneous lymphomas.

Background: We recently reported a steady increase in the incidence and mortality of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in Canada during 1992-2010. Objectives: The objective of this article is to examine the distribution of Canadian CMM patients at the level of provinces, cities, and forward sortation area (FSA) postal codes. Methods: Using 3 Canadian population-based registries, we conducted an in-depth examination of the incidence and mortality trends for 72 565 Canadian CMM patients over the period 1992-2010. Results: We found that among 20- to 39-year-olds, the incidence of CMM in women (7.17 per 100 000 individuals) was significantly higher than in men (4.60 per 100 000 individuals per year). Women age 80 years and older had an incidence of CMM (58.46 cases per 100 000 women per year) more than 4 times greater than the national average (12.29 cases per 100 000 population per year) and a corresponding high mortality rate (20.18 deaths per 100 000 women per year), when compared with the Canadian melanoma mortality of 2.4 deaths per 100 000 per year. In other age groups men had higher incidence and corresponding melanoma mortality rates. We also studied CMM incidence by province, city, and FSA postal codes and identified several high-incidence communities that were located near the coast/waterfronts. In addition, plotting latitude measures for cities and FSAs vs CMM incidence rate confirmed the inverse relationship between geographical latitude and incidence of melanoma in Canada (slope = –0.22 ± 0.05). Conclusions: This research may help develop sex-, age- and geographic region-specific recommendations to decrease the future burden of CMM in Canada.

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of mature plasma cells. Environmental risk factors identified for this malignancy, among others, include farming and exposure to pesticides. Methods Using 3 independent population‐based databases (the Canadian Cancer Registry, le Registre Québécois du Cancer, and Canadian Vital Statistics), this study analyzed patients’ clinical characteristics and the incidence, mortality, and geographic distribution of MM cases in Canada during 1992‐2015. Results In total, ~32,065 patients were identified, and 53.7% were male. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 70 ± 12.1 years. The average incidence rate in Canada was 54.29 cases per million individuals per year, and linear regression modeling showed a steady rise in the annual rate of 0.96 cases per million individuals per year. At the provincial level, Quebec and Ontario had significantly higher incidence rates than the rest of Canada. An analysis of individual municipalities and postal codes showed lower incidence rates in large metropolitan areas and in high‐latitude regions of the country, whereas high incidence rates were observed in smaller municipalities and rural areas. Land use analysis demonstrated increased density of crop farms and agricultural industries in high‐incidence areas. A comparison with the available data from 2011‐2015 showed several consistent trends at provincial, municipal, and regional levels. Conclusions These results provide a comprehensive analysis of the MM burden in Canada. Large metropolitan cities as well as high‐latitude regions were associated with lower MM incidence. Higher incidence rates were noted in smaller cities and rural areas and were associated with increased density of agricultural facilities.

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Retinoids are natural and synthetic vitamin A derivatives that are effective for the prevention and the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). NMSCs constitute a heterogenous group of non-melanocyte-derived skin cancers that impose substantial burdens on patients and healthcare systems. They include entities such as basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (collectively called keratinocyte carcinomas), cutaneous lymphomas and Kaposi’s sarcoma among others. The retinoid signaling pathway plays influential roles in skin physiology and pathology. These compounds regulate diverse biological processes within the skin, including proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis and immune regulation. Collectively, retinoids can suppress skin carcinogenesis. Both topical and systemic retinoids have been investigated in clinical trials as NMSC prophylactics and treatments. Desirable efficacy and tolerability in clinical trials have prompted health regulatory bodies to approve the use of retinoids for NMSC management. Acceptable off-label uses of these compounds as drugs for skin cancers are also described. This review is a comprehensive outline on the biochemistry of retinoids, their activities in the skin, their effects on cancer cells and their adoption in clinical practice.