Dermatology

New research published in the January 2015 issue of FASEB Journal highlighted a direct correlation between mitochondrial function alterations and the production of melanin in cancerous skin cells. Researchers found that as melanoma cells produce increased melanin pigment, the mitochondria retaliates by matching production levels of reactive oxygen species.

A round up of recent research results on plaque psoriasis treatment with itolizumab, apitherapy, and ponesimod.

Cosentyx (secukinumab) has been approved in Japan for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris (also known as plaque psoriasis) and psoriatic arthritis.

Soolantra (ivermectin) Cream, 1% has been approved for the once-daily topical treatment of inflammatory lesions, or bumps and pimples, of rosacea.

This 71-year-old woman presented with an itchy raised erythematous leg lesion that had been present for 10 months. She has a history of significant sun exposure in the past and was prescribed topical triamcinolone 4 months ago which she believes has made it slightly smaller and less itchy.

Scientists in the United Kingdom recently uncovered a new ‘family' of drugs called padRAF inhibitors that are effective in treating melanoma patients who are resistant to BRAF inhibitors.

Infants of a particular generation born in Australia to Asian-born parents appeared to have an increased risk of peanut allergy compared with those of Australian-born parents, according to research published in the December issue of Allergy.

This newborn was found to have these fragile white lesions on the scrotum and extremities along with dark macules on the face. The child was otherwise asymptomatic and the pregnancy was uncomplicated, with no significant medication exposures and no family history of similar lesions.

Researchers report that patients diagnosed with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who were treated with ixekizumab, an investigational anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, have maintained a favorable clinical response over a year-long course of treatment.

Researchers compared the effectiveness of biologics approved in Europe for the treatment of plaque psoriasis based on their performance as measured by primary endpoints in clinical trials.

According to a recent study published in JAMA Dermatology, a longer wavelength laser is an effective treatment option for keratosis pilaris (KP), a skin condition in which skin proteins form hard plugs within hair follicles, for improving skin roughness and textural irregularities.

Amgen and AstraZeneca recently announced AMAGINE-2TM, a pivotal, multi-arm Phase 3 clinical trial, met all primary endpoints for brodalumab, an experimental drug designed for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis treatment.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi recently announced the US food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to dupilumab, a fully-human monoclonal antibody, to treat adults suffering from moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD)who had an insufficient response to or who were not suitable for topical prescription therapy.

Onextron (clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide), 1.2%/3.75%, has been approved for the once-daily treatment of comedonal and inflammatory acne in patients 12 and older.

A light-emitting diode (LED) device that uses 40 high-intensity blue LEDs, which can be configured to an individual patient's needs, and is free of ultraviolet (UV) light, may offer a new treatment option for patients with psoriasis.

This 70-year-old woman noticed a rash one week ago in her right lumbar area with mild pain and change in skin color.

The compound AIN457 (secukinumab) has been granted a unanimous vote of support for approval from the Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee to the Food and Drug Administration.

Amgen has released positive top-line results from the first of two Phase III studies of ABP 501, its candidate for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis that is being developed as a biosimilar to adalimumab.

News from the literature on a possible link between atherosclerosis and psoriasis and quality of life for patients with this skin condition.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common inflammatory pediatric skin disorder, with reported incidences ranging from 10% to 20%. The principles of effect care include fixing the skin barrier, short-circuiting inflammation, decreasing itching, treating infections, and striving for prevention by addressing the triggers.

From cancers caused by the sun to psoriasis and other skin conditions, pediatric dermatologists must be aware of and ready to manage a wide range of conditions.

A drug designed to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis could also make them more susceptible to shingles, according to the results of a recent study.

The majority of patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs will switch medications, discontinue treatment, or add an additional medicine, usually within a few months of initiating treatment.

A new drug with the potential to join the existing class of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for plaque psoriasis has shown promising results in a Phase II study.

Ponesimod, a selective S1P1 receptor agonist, has been shown to be efficacious for improving both disease and quality of life markers in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

This 23-year-old man developed these lesions on his feet during a 10-month stay in Nicaragua. Initially he had itching and burning. He has been treated with 3 courses of topical antifungal preparations and there is no significant past medical history other than sweaty feet.

Otezla (apremilast) is an oral, selective phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis for whom phototherapy or systemic therapy is appropriate.

Reports suggest that combination therapy with the drug afamelanotide and narrowband ultraviolet-B ray (NB UVB) phototherapy is safe and effective for restoring skin pigmentation in patients with vitiligo, a skin disease resulting from dead melanin-producing cells with no current cure.

As reported in the EMBO Molecular Medicine journal, researchers have discovered there are several types of dendritic cells within human skin that play a role in both the earlier and more advances stages of psoriasis.

Psoriatic arthritis may be difficult to distinguish from other types of arthritis. According to results of a new study, assessing a patient's sense of balance and hearing ability may be an aid in the diagnosis.