coding for the IFN-induced Mx protein in skin biopsies from patients with chilblains. 4 The Mx protein sequesters viral factors required for viral replication. 6 Furthermore, an IFN-induced transmembrane protein may inhibit coronavirus replication. This could explain why PCR tests are mostly negative in patients with suspected COVID-19 chilblains. 4 Battesti and Descamps reported that patients with moderately severe COVID-19 had high circulating levels of IFN-1. 4 We hypothesize that in young adults with efficient innate immune responses, the IFN-1 pathway inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 and dampens the symptoms of COVID-19. In parallel, activation of the IFN-1 pathway might lead to manifestations that have been already described in interferonopathies like lupus (i.e. chilblains). The inhibition of viral replication might explain the negative RT-PCR and serological test results in the present case.To conclude, we report on a case of recurrent chilblains, the appearances of which coincided with the epidemic peaks in France and contact with a SARS-CoV-2-positive close relative. Our observation reinforces the hypothesis of a causal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and chilblains. It also raises the question of whether this manifestation is likely to occur or recur during contact with SARS-CoV-2 components (e.g. during a mass vaccination campaign).

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Gemcitabine is an effective single-agent chemotherapy used in advanced stages of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). However, gemcitabine used in the current standard regimen is frequently associated with adverse events (AE), such as an increased risk for myelosuppression and severe infections. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> We investigated in this retrospective study the effect of low-dose gemcitabine in pretreated advanced-stage CTCL and in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasia (BPDCN) regarding overall response (OR), progression-free survival (PFS), and AE. <b><i>Material and Methods:</i></b> A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted on 64 CTCL and BPDCN patients treated with gemcitabine in average absolute dosage of 1,800 mg/m² per cycle, which is 50% lower compared to standard dosage of 3,600 mg/m² per cycle (1,200 mg/m² day 1, 8, 15). Evaluation of response to therapy and AE was done 4–6 weeks after the sixth cycle. <b><i>Results:</i></b> OR was 62% with 11% demonstrating a complete response. The median time of PFS was 12 months and median time to next treatment was 7 months. Only 3/63 patients showed serious side effects, e.g., port infection or acute renal failure. Almost 73% of the patients experienced minor to moderate side effects (CTCAE grade 0–2). Fatigue (27.2%), fever (22.7%), and mild blood count alteration (18.2%) were the most common AE. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This retrospective analysis supports the use of low-dose gemcitabine therapy in CTCL, demonstrating with 62% OR and PFS of 12 months an almost identical response rate and survival as compared to the standard dose therapy reported in previous studies but with a significantly improved safety profile and tolerability.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract