CXCR4, CCR7 and CCR10 chemokine receptors are known to be involved in melanoma metastasis. Our goal was to compare the relative intratumoral mRNA expression of these receptors with that of their corresponding chemokine ligands, CXCL12, CCL19, CCL21, and CCL27 across the full spectrum of human melanoma progression: thin and thick primary melanomas, as well as "in transit", lymph node, and distant metastases. Expression was quantified by real-time RT-PCR in 103 melanoma samples: 51 primary tumors and 52 metastases. Particular emphasis was focused on chemokine ligand-receptor expression ratios. Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify the cell types expressing these molecules. CXCL12-CXCR4 and CCL27-CCR10 ratios were higher in thin than in thick primary melanomas, and all four chemokine-receptor ratios were higher in primary tumors than in melanoma metastases. CCL27-CCR10 and CXCL12-CXCR4 expression ratios in primary tumors were inversely associated with the development of distant metastases, and improved the predictive value of tumor thickness for distant metastasis, which is important since chemokine ligand-receptor ratios are not affected by the endogenous gene employed for normalizing mRNA expression. Both receptor and ligand immunolabeling were detected in neoplastic cells suggesting autocrine mechanisms. Our results support the concept that low CCL27/CCR10 and CXCL12/CXCR4 intratumoral mRNA ratios are associated with melanoma progression, and in combination with Breslow thickness, are the best predictive factors for the development of distant metastases in primary cutaneous melanoma.

Unusually prolonged pressure on the scalp by the cervical os during or before the delivery may result in a distinctive pattern of annular alopecia that has been referred to as halo scalp ring. This rare form of hair loss is most commonly a temporary, non-scarring process that is attributed to caput succedaneum. We report a new case of halo scalp ring in a premature newborn. Review of previously reported cases suggests that prematurity is an important, previously unrecognized, risk factor for developing a halo scalp ring.

disease or other common variable immunodeficiencies have been considered to have a causal link with PLC. It is possible that the lymphocytic reaction observed in PLC might be correlated to the immune disorder underlying MM. Nevertheless, we cannot exclude that the immunosuppressive therapy performed for MM could have given rise to the papular reaction of PLC by favouring some unknown infective agent.

Different patterns of transient cutaneous pigmentation have been reported in otherwise healthy newborns. Frequently, in darkly pigmented neonates, skin hyperpigmentation can be observed in some areas such as genitals, lower abdomen, or at the base of the fingernails. Although the mechanisms responsible for this kind of darkening are unclear, it has been postulated that it could be a result of MSH stimulation in utero (1). Less frequently, other types of hyperpigmentation not related to hormonal stimulation have also been reported, including an extremely rare pigmentary phenomenon consisting of transient horizontal bands on the creases in the abdomen or in the back (1-3). These linear hyperpigmented bands are thought to be a result of mechanical trauma from hyperkeratosis within the folds, probably because of flexion in utero that provokes a postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (1,2). This variant of pigmentation has been described in black, male infants, and it disappears normally without treatment by 6 months of age. We have recently observed a caucasian female newborn with transient pigmentary bands on her abdomen and back.A 2-week-old female infant was referred for evaluation of a pigmentary abnormality present since birth. She was born at term by cesarean section. No family history of similar markings was found. Examination revealed extensive linear pigmentation on the trunk, with multiple brown-grayish parallel transversal lines bilaterally located on the abdomen and back. In addition, she had a wide vertical area of hyperpigmentation all over her spine, and several hyperpigmented macules scattered over her back (Fig. 1). The child was in good health and there was no sign of any underlying abnormality. Her face, extremities, and mucosae were spared, and her nails and hair were normal. Thus, the girl was followed up and a skin biopsy was not performed.During the following 6 months, the bands underwent spontaneous resolution, its color matching the surrounding skin. REFERENCES1. Lucky AW. Transient benign cutaneous lesions in the newborn. In: Eichenfield LF, Frieden IJ, Esterly NB, eds. Textbook of neonatal dermatology. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company, 2001:97-99. 2. Halper S, Rubenstein D, Prose N et al. Pigmentary lines of the newborn. J Am Acad Dermatol 1993;28:893-894. 3. Gibbs RC. Unusual striped hyperpigmentation of the torso. Arch Dermatol 1967;95:385-386.

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