News

I soon learned that the candy dish in my office offers much more than just a sweet treat. This un-assuming brass dish is an eye into the inner psyche of my patients.

New York - While cytokines are currently standard therapy for advanced melanoma, cancer vaccines in advanced stages of development could soon change the treatment paradigm, says Howard L. Kaufman, M.D., speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology Academy '04 meeting here recently.

Singapore - New developments in aesthetic dermatology center around patients' increasing desire for quality results and quick treatments that require minimal recovery time or none at all. According to Robert Weiss, M.D., advances in laser treatments make it more possible than ever to offer just that.

New York - Regeneration of skin, hair and the sebaceous gland all spring from the same adult stem cell located in the bulge region of the follicle.

The vaccine combines NY-ESO-1 with IMX, a potent immune-system stimulator that consists of cholesterol, phospholipids and saponin.

National report - According to a recent American Medical Group Association (AMGA) survey, median compensation of dermatologists grew 16.71 percent in 2003, rising from $221,255 to $258,235. How to interpret these figures and determine if they are accurate are subjects of lingering debate.

Despite recent historically low yields, many investors use money market mutual funds for simple liquidity needs, as well to provide a parking place for emergency reserve dollars.

Washington - Dermatologists should be aware that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is in the process of developing "standards and processes" under the new Medicare drug discount program that takes full effect in January, 2006. The legislation will have a major impact on what drugs are covered and for how much.

Stanford, Calif. - Effective interviewing skills are the foundation for good hiring decisions that will maximize the office environment and productivity, said Kathy Kennady at "The Next Step: Mastering Cutaneous Outpatient Procedures," a continuing education program sponsored by the Stanford University Department of Dermatology.

Boston - Improvements on a non-invasive alternative to liposuction may revolutionize medical procedures in this area, according to a presentation at this year's International Master Course on Aging Skin.

The results showed the sequential approach was safe and very effective for controlling AD.

How much does a patient need to pay for an effective facial moisturizer?

New York - The newest systemic antibiotics aren't always the best, especially when their overuse creates concerns for drug resistance.

New York - The newest systemic antibiotics aren't always the best, especially when their overuse creates concerns for drug resistance.

New York - Jean D. Carruthers, M.D., thinks it might be appropriate for her and her dermatologist husband, Alastair, to change their middle names to "determination."

New York- Results from a 12-month, open-label extension study highlight the efficacy and safety of the fixed triple-combination cream containing hydrocortisone 4 percent, tretinoin 0.05 percent and fluocinolone acetonide 0.01 percent (Tri-Luma Cream, Galderma) as a modality for the long-term management of melasma, says Helen M. Torok, M.D.

National report - In the treatment of vitiligo, the 308-nm excimer laser (PhotoMedex) achieves results as favorable as those of other phototherapy modalities in one-third the time, according to James M. Spencer, M.D.

New York - Simple clinical characteristics determined as part of the usual examination allow for reliable prognostication of the response of venous leg ulcers to standard therapy, and that information is useful formanaging patients in everyday practice as well as when conducting clinical trials, said David J. Margolis, M.D., Ph.D, at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Academy '04 here recently.

No matter how much the environment of medical care becomes infused with a bottom-line mentality, treating patients is a privilege, not a job. Medicine is a sacred calling, not something doctors do, but who we are.

New York - A combination regimen beginning with adapalene cream 0.1 percent (Differin, Galderma) and incorporating the fixed triple-combination depigmenting cream (Tri-Luma Cream, Galderma) provides a well-tolerated and effective method for treating acne and its distressing sequel of post-in-flammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in African-American patients, said Valerie D. Callender, M.D., at the recently held Academy '04 meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

How much does a patient need to pay for an effective facial moisturizer?

Winston-Salem, N.C. - Pigmented lesions come in many forms, and while many do not require treatment, they sometimes serve as signs of seriousconditions, says Zoe D. Draelos, M.D.

National report - Pigmentary changes in skin are one of the first indicators of photoaging, according to Neil Sadick, M.D., F.A.C.P.

A large video clip can be difficult to send over the Internet, and can be difficult for viewers to download... Reducing the frame rate to one-third of the original led to a great reduction in file size, and it reduced the rate at which data had to be sent.

Barring cost issues, new systemic therapies could soon be on the forefront

Biologic therapy yields promising results in treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis

Option is good choice for psoriasis patients suffering moderate-to-severe plaque disease

New York - While dermatologists need to be aware of legitimate safety issues when prescribing any of the TNF-? antagonists for the treatment of psoriasis, as a bottom line, adalimumab (Humira, Abbott Immunology), etanercept (Enbrel, Amgen/Wyeth), and infliximab (Remicade, Centocor) appear to be safer than some older psoriasis treatments, such as methotrexate and cyclosporine, says Mark Lebwohl, M.D., Sol and Clara Kest Professor and chairman, department of dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York.

Four agents offer safe, effective alternatives to traditional tx for moderate to severe disease

Physician describes switch of patients from oral systemics to biologic therapy