The 2nd Conference of the Romanian Society of Immuno-Dermatology, Bucharest, September 27-29, 2018

With the advent of immunotherapy validated in skin cancer, immuno-oncology has gained an unprecedented momentum. The first conference of Immuno-Dermatology has gathered several important communications in skin cancer, lectures that were further expanded in the articles presented in this special issue. The articles are divided into two segments: Non-melanoma skin cancers and melanoma cancers, approaching diagnosis, new therapies and monitoring through innovative technologies, as well as experimental models.

In the non-melanoma skin cancers section, Cioplea et al (1)are describing, in a retrospective study, the immunohistochemical characterization of dendritic cell distribution, which can be an adjuvant tool in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory dermatosis and skin lymphomas. Tanase et al (2) review the anti-angiogenic therapeutic protocols in T cell-lymphomas targeting the tumor vasculature or malignant tumor cells directly or through a large number of combinations with other drugs. Reviewing the inflammation process in skin tumorigenesis, Neagu et al (3) outline that in skin cancers, inflammatory markers can find their place in the biomarkers set in order to improve diagnosis and prognosis. Tampa et al (4) present the most recent findings in photodynamic therapy, with emphasis on cutaneous precancerous lesions.

In terms of diagnosis techniques, Ianoși et al (5) present an improved management on Bowen's disease by using non-invasive, in vivo imaging techniques that allow for a rapid and simple diagnosis and follow-up. Investigating imaging monitoring, Ilie et al (6) presented confocal microscopy diagnostic features that can differentiate between the various histological subtypes of skin tumors, thus aiding in the selection of the optimal therapeutic approach. In basal cell carcinomas, Lupu et al (7) correlate dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy to investigate vascular patterns in non-melanoma skin cancer and to evaluate the power of discriminating aggressive subtypes. Balanescu et al (8) present a series of carcinoid heart disease cases, a rare complication of neuroendocrine tumors, for which a comprehensive imaging assessment is needed in order to establish an optimal surgical timing; moreover a good collaboration between the Oncology and Cardiology teams is essential for long term disease management.

Popa et al (9) present a novel classification that aims to better organize the different types of acanthosis nigricans, with implications on the extent and urgency of the investigation plan, as well as various therapeutic algorithms.

The majority of the articles in this Special Issue focus on cutaneous melanoma diagnostics, therapy, incidence and even experimental melanoma models.

Fechete et al (10) document and compare melanoma risk factors and skin health behavior in patients diagnosed with melanoma and individuals not affected by this disease in the North-West of Romania. Rotaru et al (11) point out that as their 10-year retrospective study of melanoma stage at diagnosis has revealed >40% stage IV disease at presentation, intensified efforts are required to improve the early detection of melanoma.

Nichita et al (12) present CEACAM1 as a molecular marker in melanomas. In thin melanomas, CEACAM1 overexpression is associated with invasiveness, while in areas of regression, tumor cells lose CEACAM1 expression, probably associated with the presence of natural killer (NK) cells. Antohe et al (13) discuss the current state of knowledge in the field of immune cells that infiltrate melanoma, resuming the potential of TIL components to become prognostic markers for natural evolution, for response to drugs or valuable targets for new medication.

By investigating vitamin D receptor polymorphism, Vasilovici et al (14) show that the vitamin D pathway is important for the pathogenesis and the progression of cutaneous melanoma, illustrating the gene-environment interactions.

Since brain metastases in cutaneous melanoma represent the most difficult stage regarding treatment, Buga et al (15) present the cellular and molecular changes, the immune status of the patient and the blood brain barrier permeability as being the key regulators of cancer cells dissemination. Grigore et al (16) present a case study of complete regression of the primary melanoma under BRAF inhibitors.

Maranduca et al (17) review the recent data regarding melanogenesis physiology as regulated by stimulant melanocytic hormone, adrenocorticotropin hormone, estrogens and progesterone.

Ancuceanu et al (18) present the development of QSAR models able to predict the cytotoxic effect of diverse chemical compounds on SK-MEL-5 in a human melanoma cell line.

Last, but not least, the experimental model presented by Isvoranu et al (19) show that, in a melanoma-bearing mouse model, the percentage of NK cells and their phenotype is different compared to control mouse NK cells, providing evidence that NK cell activation may constitute future reliable therapy targets in melanoma.

We would like to thank the authors who submitted their articles for consideration to this Special Issue, which would have not materialized without their efforts. The Editors would like to thank the reviewers who thoroughly revised the articles and provided important suggestions that significantly improved the articles.