- Based on multidisciplinary knowledge and written by leading clinicians and scientists.

"Lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by a wide spectrum of manifestations with a variable evolution. There has been a long-standing need for a book with a unifying concept on the cutaneous manifestations of this disease. The book is based on multidisciplinary knowledge and is written by leading clinicians and scientists. It provides not only a comprehensive description of the vast variety of cutaneous abnormalities but also a synthesis of the relationship between cutaneous and systemic changes, including chapters on classification and clinical aspects, pathogenesis and pathologic features, and treatment and management of lupus erythematosus. In summary, the book is an important resource for clinicians and scientists working in the field of autoimmune diseases. TOC:Introduction: Historical background; What is autoimmunity? Basic mechanisms and concepts; Epidemiology; Pathogenesis.- Clinical Aspects: Classification and clinical manifestations; Nonspecific cutaneous manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus; Cutaneous lupus erythematosus during the neonatal and childhood periods; Drug-induced lupus erythematosus; Association of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with other dermatologic diseases; Cutaneous manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome; Relationship between cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus; Photosensitivity; Clinical differential diagnoses; Prognosis.- Pathology: Histologic findings; Immunopathology; Laboratory features; Antinuclear autoantibodies in cutaneous lupus erythematosus: biochemical and cell biological characterization of Ro/SSA; Photoimmunology; Experimental models; Molecular genetics; Apoptosis; The role of dendritic cells; The role of T cells and adhesion molecules.- Therapy: Topical treatment; Antimalarials; Retinoids and Dapsone; Immunosuppressive drugs; Thalidomide; Experimental therapies; Management.- Concluding Remarks."

What is Autoimmunity: Basic Mechanisms and Concepts.- Photoimmunology.- The Epidemiology of Lupus Erythematosus.- Historical Background of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Classification and Clinical Aspects of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Classification of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Clinical Manifestations of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Nonspecific Cutaneous Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.- Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus During the Neonatal and Childhood Periods.- Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus.- Association of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus with Other Dermatological Diseases.- Clinical Differential Diagnosis of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Photosensitivity in Lupus Erythematosus.- Relationship Between Cutaneous and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.- Prognosis of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Pathogenesis and Pathologic Features of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Molecular Genetics of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Experimental Models of Lupus Erythematosus.- Apoptosis in Lupus Erythematosus.- Pathogenesis of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: The Role of Ultraviolet Light.- The Role of T Cells and Adhesion Molecules in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- The Role of Dendritic Cells in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Histologic Findings in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Immunopathology of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Laboratory Features of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Antinuclear Autoantibodies in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: Biochemical and Cell Biological Characterization of Ro/SSA.- Treatment and Management of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Topical Treatment of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Antimalarials.- Dapsone and Retinoids.- Thalidomide in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Immunosuppressive Drugs in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.-Experimental Therapies in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.- Management of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus.