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As countries around the world compete to develop SARS-CoV-2 (the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19) vaccines, scientists are trying to understand exactly how it leads to a range of seemingly long-standing symptoms after active viral infections. In a new study, researchers from Osaka University and Osaka Yanye Medical Center in Japan identified an effective treatment for the treatment of fatal inflammatory hyperactivation experienced by many patients with severe COVID-19. The results were recently published in the journal PNAS, entitled “IL-6 trans-induces plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 from vascular endothelial cells in cytokine release syndrome”.

Cytokines are a group of small proteins that can enhance or suppress the immune response of our body to diseases such as infection, trauma, and cancer. One of their main roles is to stimulate inflammation and thus initiate the healing process. The problem is that overstimulation of the inflammatory response produces a range of deleterious complications, from asthma to severe autoimmune diseases. One of these complications, called cytokine release syndrome (CRS), is seen in patients who are hyper-immune to microbial infections or trauma and can lead to multiple organ failure or even death.

Sujin Kang of Osaka University, lead author of the paper, said, “Although it is known which cytokines are involved, there is still no specific immunotherapy for CRS, and treatment is limited to supportive care. In order to better understand the molecular mechanisms of CRS pathogenesis, we first studied the cytokine profile in 91 patients (three groups of patients) diagnosed with CRS associated with bacterial sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or burns.”

Strikingly, these three groups of patients had elevated levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and MCP-10, as well as a protein called PAI-1, which causes small blood clots in blood vessels throughout the body, including in the lungs. Importantly, increased PAI-1 levels were associated with more severe cases of pneumonia, a common cause of death among COVID-19 patients.

Given that IL-6 is positively correlated with the levels of other cytokines and PAI-1, these researchers concluded that IL-6 signaling is essential for the appearance of CRS after infection or trauma and may play a role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.

Tadamitsu Kishimoto of Osaka University, corresponding author of the paper, said, “Studies of cytokine profiles in patients with severe COVID-19 have found that IL-6 increases early in the disease process, resulting in the release of PAI-1 from the blood vessels. Notably, PAI-1 levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory disorders.”

Most significantly, however, when severe COVID-19 patients are treated with a human monoclonal antibody drug called tocilizumab (Actemra), this drug blocks IL-6 signaling, rapidly decreases PAI-1 levels, and relieves severe disease symptoms. Therefore, IL-6 signaling blockade may be useful for the treatment of severe respiratory complications in both CRS and COVID-19.

Melanocytes are the cells present in the skin’s upper layer. They are able to manufacture a brown pigment known as melanin, which makes the skin brown or gives it a tan. Two main types of melanin exist:

Pheomelanin
Eumelanin
As the skin gets exposed to UV radiation from tanning beds or the sun, it results in skin damage that triggers melanocytes to generate more melanin. However, it is only the eumelanin pigment which tries to protect the skin by tanning or darkening it. If the tanning from UV radiation results in DNA damage causes mutations in melanocytes, it results in Melanoma skin cancer.

How do Melanomas appear?

Melanomas are present in various sizes, shapes, and colors. These varieties make it really difficult to provide specific warning signs for melanoma cancer risks. Detecting this skin cancer early is very important, which can be done through symptoms, early detection strategies, and images.

Melanoma cancer can be cured if it is detected at an early stage. Once the disorder goes deep into the skin or to other parts of the body, it gets very difficult to treat and may turn deadly.

Types of Melanoma

Superficial spreading melanoma- It is the most common type of melanoma cancer. It may either be visible as a new lesion or as an existing mole. Though found in different parts of the body, it is most common on women’s legs, men’s torsos, and on the upper backs of both.
Acral lentiginous melanoma- Among people of color, this is the most common type of skin cancer. It may be visible as a brown or black area, and is present in difficult-to-see places like palms of hands, soles of feet, or below the nails.
Nodular melanoma- It is a very aggressive form of melanoma where the tumor grows into the skin more rapidly than other cancers. This is commonly found on the legs, torsos, and arms, as well as on the scalps of old men.
Lentigo maligna- This form of melanoma is common among old people. It grows close to the skin surface at first. You will usually find a blue black color.
Melanoma cancer spread

Melanoma which spreads from one part of the skin to another area of the body is known as metastatic melanoma. It usually presents itself as a mole during early detection, although it can be in the form of a tender nodule as well. Depending on where it has spread, the following symptoms are visible:

Brain- Seizures or headaches
Lymph nodes- Swellings
Liver- Unexplained weight loss or appetite loss
Bone- Unusual fractures or pain in the bones
Lungs- Shortness of breath or persistent cough

The cancer spreads as the tumor travels to different areas of the body, which includes blood, lymph, and the body’s tissues. It may settle in the organs and remain there for a while.