John Otrompke

Boston - Improvements on a non-invasive alternative to liposuction may revolutionize medical procedures in this area, according to a presentation at this year's International Master Course on Aging Skin.

Boston - A presentation at this year's International Master Course on Aging Skin here suggests that some newer-generation laser models may be used in conjunction with others to treat previously difficult-to-reach violaceous vascular lesions, and even achieve greater results in non-ablative skin rejuvenation.

Chicago -- Two Singapore studies refuted the long-standing notion that Asian women have lower skin barrier function than other ethnic groups, according to findings presented at this year's L'Oreal Ethnic Skin and Hair Conference here in September.

Chicago - The dermatological ecology of South Africa, a context considerably different from its North American counterpart, was discussed at this year's L'Oreal Ethnic Skin and Hair Conference here from Sept. 19 to 21, 2003.

Chicago - A pioneering researcher in the area of acne keloidalis nuchae recommended the use of Nd:YAG lasers set in non-ablative resurfacing mode and low fluence vascular lasers for treatment of the condition in African-Americans at this year's L'Oreal Ethnic Skin and Hair Conference here, Sept. 19-21. "We have utilized both lasers with success," says Fran E. Cook-Bolden, M.D.

Chicago - In the early days before protease inhibitors, Kaposi's sarcoma was considered a severe and dangerous ancillary condition that often was fatal to patients.

Chicago - A phase II trial of a new recombinant agent in the fight against melanoma has accrued 28 patients so far, yielding interesting data but so far no conclusive results, according to an abstract presented at this year's annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Chicago - As patient accrual to phase III trials of Canvaxin therapeutic polyvalent cancer vaccine nears the 1,000-mark, a randomized phase II trial of the vaccine was reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The trial used an immunostimulant to enhance the antibody response to a tumor-associated antigen (TA90) found on melanoma cells.

Chicago - Data involving the first 60 patients in a phase II clinical trial of a multi-epitope peptide vaccination, as combined with other agents, showed a median survival of 21 months for immunological responders as compared to 13 months in immunologic nonresponders.