Epigenetics and Dermatology explores the role of epigenetics in the pathogenesis of autoimmune-related skin diseases and skin cancer. Leading contributors cover common and uncommon skin conditions in which extensive epigenetic research has been done. They explain how environmental exposures (chemicals, drugs, sunlight, diet, stress, smoking, infection, etc.) in all stages of life (from a fetus in-utero to an elderly person) may result in epigenetic changes that lead to development of some skin diseases in life. They also discuss the possibilities of new and emergent epigenetic treatments which are gradually being adopted in management of various skin diseases. Chapters follow a conventional structure, covering fundamental biology of the disease condition, etiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis, commonly available treatments, and epigenetic therapy where applicable. Discusses the basic biology of skin diseases and skin cancers induced or aggravated by aberrant epigenetic changes Evaluates how to approach autoimmune-related skin diseases from a therapeutic perspective using the wealth of emergent epigenetic clinical trials Offers a coherent and structured table of contents with basic epigenetic biology followed by discussion of the spectrum of rheumatologic through neoplastic skin diseases, finally ending with a discourse on epigenetic therapy

This indispensable volume highlights recent studies identifying epigenetic mechanisms as essential regulators of skin development, stem cell activity and regeneration. Chapters are contributed by leading experts and promote the skin as an accessible model system for studying mechanisms that control organ development and regeneration. The timely discussions contained throughout are of broad relevance to other areas of biology and medicine and can help inform the development of novel therapeutics for skin disorders as well as new approaches to skin regeneration that target the epigenome. Part of the highly successful Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine series, Epigenetic Regulation of Skin Development and Regeneration uncovers the fundamental significance of epigenetic mechanisms in skin development and regeneration, and emphasizes the development of new therapies for a number of skin disorders, such as pathological conditions of epidermal differentiation, pigmentation and carcinogenesis. At least six categories of researchers will find this book essential, including stem cell, developmental, hair follicle or molecular biologists, and gerontologists or clinical dermatologists.

"After reviewing the field's history and context, the authors introduce and explain each key epigenetic mechanism. Next, they extensively discuss the roles these mechanisms may play in inheritance, development, health and disease, behavior, evolution, ecology, and the interactions of individual organisms with their environments"--Page 4 of cover.

This book will address the growing roles of epigenetics in disease pathogenesis, and review the contribution of epigenetic modifications to disease onset and progression. The roles that epigenetics plays in facilitating effects of the environment on allergy and immunologic diseases will be reviewed. The book is divided into three parts – the first is an introduction to epigenetics and the methods that have been developed to study epigenetics, the second addresses epigenetics in allergic diseases and the third part will cover epigenetics in autoimmune diseases. With the rapid expansion of knowledge of how genes are regulated and how this regulation affects disease phenotypes, this book will be attractive to experienced researchers as well as those just launching an epigenetics research program. It will also be of interest to allergist, immunologists, rheumatologists and dermatologist who are engaged in clinical practice as a resource for understanding the basis for personalized and precision medicine. For example, the role that epigenetics plays in the pathogenesis in various allergic and autoimmune disorders and how this determines disease phenotypes will be covered extensively in this book. This book will thus help fill the gap in available resources on epigenetics in allergy and autoimmune diseases.

This book discusses the exciting potential for dermatology to embrace developments to enhance the profession’s valuable pattern recognition, diagnostic, and treatment skills. Personalized medicine (PM) and genomics are easily accessible and enable the customization of healthcare using molecular analysis to influence medical decisions, practices, and therapies for the individual patient. The evolution of the skin, and the manner in which dermatological conditions are described and managed, reveals the need to consider many aspects on a personal level. New research data are based on the use of evolutionary medicine and genomics to highlight how we can become more successful at finding the most efficacious types of antibiotic or therapy and dosage for a particular disease or pathogen and build a competitive edge by prevention and risk management against invasive viruses, bacteria, or wrongly administered drugs. As more is understood about what grows on us and how it all interacts, along with how the introduction of new antibiotics, biologics, and other therapies affect our skin’s ecological balance, this book aims to create a heightened sense of the importance and offerings of ecological dermatology.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that has a critical impact on patient quality of life. Recently described pathophysiological aspects and new therapeutic approaches have benefitted greatly the management of patients with this condition. This book presents the most current physiopathogenic evidence in atopic dermatitis. It also examines the scientific rationale of currently available treatments as well as potential new options for managing severe forms of the disease. Written by experts in the field, chapters address some of the most important aspects of atopic dermatitis.

Over the past 20 years, public concerns have grown in response to the apparent rising prevalence of food allergy and related atopic conditions, such as eczema. Although evidence on the true prevalence of food allergy is complicated by insufficient or inconsistent data and studies with variable methodologies, many health care experts who care for patients agree that a real increase in food allergy has occurred and that it is unlikely to be due simply to an increase in awareness and better tools for diagnosis. Many stakeholders are concerned about these increases, including the general public, policy makers, regulatory agencies, the food industry, scientists, clinicians, and especially families of children and young people suffering from food allergy. At the present time, however, despite a mounting body of data on the prevalence, health consequences, and associated costs of food allergy, this chronic disease has not garnered the level of societal attention that it warrants. Moreover, for patients and families at risk, recommendations and guidelines have not been clear about preventing exposure or the onset of reactions or for managing this disease. Finding a Path to Safety in Food Allergy examines critical issues related to food allergy, including the prevalence and severity of food allergy and its impact on affected individuals, families, and communities; and current understanding of food allergy as a disease, and in diagnostics, treatments, prevention, and public policy. This report seeks to: clarify the nature of the disease, its causes, and its current management; highlight gaps in knowledge; encourage the implementation of management tools at many levels and among many stakeholders; and delineate a roadmap to safety for those who have, or are at risk of developing, food allergy, as well as for others in society who are responsible for public health.

Vitiligo has been, until recently, a rather neglected area in dermatology and medicine. Patients complain about this situation, which has offered avenues to quacks, and has led to the near orphan status of the disease. The apparently, simple and poorly symptomatic presentation of the disease has been a strong disadvantage to its study, as compared to other common chronic skin disorders such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Vitiligo is still considered by doctors as a non disease, a simple aesthetic problem. A good skin-based angle of attack is also lacking because generalized vi- ligo is clearly epitomizing the view of skin diseases as simple targets of a systemic unknown dysregulation (diathesis), re? ecting the Hippocratic doctrine. This view has mostly restricted vitiligo to the manifestation of an auto-immune diathesis in the past 30 years. Thus, skin events, which are easily detected using skin biospies in most other situations, have not been precisely recorded, with the argument that a clinical diagnosis was suf? cient for the management (or most commonly absence of mana- ment) of the patient. This book is an international effort to summarize the information gathered about this disorder at the clinical, pathophysiological and therapeutic levels. Its primary aim is to bridge current knowledge at the clinical and investigative level, to point to the many unsolved issues, and to delineate future priorities for research.

This title investigates the lifetime determinants of healthy ageing and their implications for policy and practice, bringing together authorities in ageing research and knowledge transfer from across the world.