News

Recent studies reveal encouraging news about biologic drugs' ability to battle psoriasis. An overview of the agents includes: Enbrel (etanercept, Immunex) remains the only biologic drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating psoriatic arthritis.

As a dermatologist for 27 years, Norman Levine, M.D., professor of dermatology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, and editorial advisor to Dermatology Times, has gathered new insights from clinical experience, reference books, professional meetings and reviews of treatment modalities.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — Members of the Pigmentary Disorders Academy (PDA) convened here last November for their second annual meeting. While still in its infancy and relatively small in size, the group has already made significant progress as they pursue their mission to optimize care of patients affected by pigmentary disorders.

Kissimmee, Fla. — The time it takes for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a new dermatology drug or treatment depends on many factors, including how closely pharmaceutical companies cooperate with the agency.

Kissimmee, Fla. — In developing a successful aesthetic/cosmetic office practice, whether an existing, disease-based practice or a newly launched one, the goal should always be this: Work smarter, not harder.

If physicians want to give their patients the best possible care and make their practices successful, they must provide leadership. The idea may seem simplistic, but James G. Marks, Jr., M.D., chair of dermatology, Penn State University's Hershey Medical Center, says a doctor can have the best intentions in the world, but if those plans aren't implemented, a lack of leadership will keep the practice from being all it can be.

Kissimmee, Fla. — For dermatologists contemplating whether to incorporate lasers into their practices, the answer given by James M. Spencer, M.D., M.S., is an enthusiastic "Yes."

London — With all of the advances in the treatment of skin cancers that have been developed in the past few decades, the most important way to deal with skin cancer today is still to prevent it.

Clinical examination alone rarely suffices to diagnose RDD, of which less than 60 cutaneous-only cases have been reported in medical literature. Virtually all RDD cases require histologic analysis.

Zurich — Actinic keratosis (AK) is a relatively common adverse effect of the immunosuppressive agents delivered to patients after organ transplantation.

Newport Beach, Calif. — When it comes to potential topical treatments for actinic keratoses (AKs) and non-melanoma skin cancers, T4N5 liposome lotion (Dimericine, Applied Genetics Inc. Dermatics) leads the pack. The product is composed of the protein T4 endonuclease V in a liposome vehicle.

Newport Beach, Calif. — When it comes to potential topical treatments for actinic keratoses (AKs) and non-melanoma skin cancers, T4N5 liposome lotion (Dimericine, Applied Genetics Inc. Dermatics) leads the pack. The product is composed of the protein T4 endonuclease V in a liposome vehicle.

Tampa, Fla. — Although development of melanoma vaccines based on dendritic cells (DCs) lags behind that of more established approaches, it's rapidly moving from the lab bench into clinical trials.

Newport Beach, Calif. — The immune response modifier imiquimod (Aldara, 3M Pharmaceuticals) may have a role as an enhancer of other immunotherapies for melanoma, Noah Craft, M.D., Ph.D. said here at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association (PDA).

Tampa, Fla. — Among molecularly targeted agents being developed to treat melanoma, some of the most exciting are anti-CTLA-4 antibodies now being developed by Pfizer and Medarex.

National report — The Akt3 protein seems responsible for promoting tumor cell survival and development in 43 percent to 60 percent of noninherited melanomas. And wiping out the protein in melanoma cells could stall tumor development and increase the chemo-sensitivity of this traditionally chemo-resistant cancer, according to a new study.

Orlando — According to Zoe Draelos, M.D., the cosmeceutical market is evolving rapidly because of new raw materials, better insight into skin physiology, and changing consumer demands.

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National report — With many prescription drugs costing at least twice as much domestically as they do internationally, it's no surprise that patients seek foreign sources for everything from cholesterol killers to dermal fillers. Nor is it surprising that many such purchases can imperil patients' health.

Great dining can be a New Orleans visitor';s main objective and probably should be with the endless mouth-watering options the city has to offer.Whether you're in the mood for authentic Cajun or Creole dishes or are looking for the perfect pasta, glance through these choices and find exactly what you crave.

Biologic drugs have changed the lives of many psoriatic patients with severe disease, but the potential benefits offered by biotechnology are only beginning to be realized.

Everything old is new again could be the theme of a promising new therapy for sufferers of immune-mediated skin disease — CellCept?. P. R?gine Mydlarski, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., assistant professor at the University of Calgary, says the reformulation of medication that has been around for nearly a century is an up-and-coming treatment for skin conditions in the hands of the dermatologist.

The efficacy and remarkable safety profile of two drugs, tacrolimus (Protopic?, Fujisawa Healthcare) and pimecrolimus (Elidel?, Novartis), have revolutionized the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and appear to have promise for a variety of other inflammatory skin conditions that require long-term therapy, according to Alan Fleischer, M.D., professor and chair of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. - David Goldberg, M.D., says that for prospective cosmetic surgery patients wishing to quickly but effectively tighten facial wrinkles, radiofrequency (RF) rejuvenation - particularly with the ThermaCool ?TC machine developed by Thermage ?, which won federal approval as a full-face treatment last July - may be the way to go.

National report — With many prescription drugs costing at least twice as much domestically as they do internationally, it's no surprise that patients seek foreign sources for everything from cholesterol killers to dermal fillers. Nor is it surprising that many such purchases can imperil patients' health.

Whether you're in the mood for a big, bustling mall or you simply want to stroll the streets for antique shops and boutiques, be sure to allow time to browse the quaint, charming, and sometimes even unusual, stores the Big Easy offers.

Airport Shuttle is the official transportation company providing shuttle service for the City of New Orleans to and from the airport. Upon arrival at the airport, guests can purchase tickets for $13 each way from the Airport Shuttle information desks.

Camp AAD will provide in-house childcare for infants 6 months to children up to 6 years old. Preregistration is required but limited space may be available for those who wish to make arrangements on site.

Attendees of this year's American Academy of Dermatology's Annual Meeting get to treat themselves to the sights, sounds and tastes of the Big Easy.