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Dermatology Times
Dermatology Times November 2024 Print Recap
Author(s):
Key Takeaways
- AI significantly enhances drug design efficiency and selectivity, exemplified by zasocitinib's development as a TYK2 inhibitor with high binding affinity.
- Benzene contamination in benzoyl peroxide products raises safety concerns, with 34% of tested products exceeding FDA limits.
Learn more about the in-depth topics covered in the November 2024 print issue of Dermatology Times.
The November issue of Dermatology Times includes a collection of thought-provoking articles and topics ranging from the role of artificial intelligence in developing zasocitinib, to the clinical considerations in treating pediatric melanoma. Be sure to read the highlights from the issue below. Also, don’t miss a moment of Dermatology Times by signing up for our eNewsletters and subscribing to receive the free print issue and supplement each month.
AI-Powered Innovation: Zasocitinib’s Journey to Precision Inhibition
“By leveraging artificial intelligence, [researchers] can massively increase the throughput of the number of compounds they start to design and screen. It’s a really efficient tool to increase the throughput and to try to really get a molecule that fits as well as it possibly can into the specific site of the enzyme they’re trying to block,” said Graham Heap, MBBS, PhD, vice president and global program lead at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. In an interview with Dermatology Times, Heap highlighted the revolutionary role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the development of zasocitinib (TAK-279), an innovative oral allosteric inhibitor of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2).
A collaboration with Nimbus Therapeutics and Schrödinger allowed researchers to optimize the design process, ensuring that the compound fits precisely into the target enzyme’s pocket. This AI-assisted approach not only enhances efficiency in screening potential candidates but also significantly improves selectivity, as evidenced by zasocitinib’s binding affinity, which trial investigator Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, says is 1.7 million times greater to TYK2 than to JAK1.
BREAKING NEWS: Additional Study Confirms Reports of Benzene Presence, Formation in Benzoyl Peroxide Products at Room Temperature
New research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID) confirms findings of benzene presence and formation in benzoyl peroxide (BPO) drug and acne products—this time, with testing conducted at room temperature.
The latest round of benzene news follows the initial detection of high levels of benzene found in certain BPO-containing acne products announced on March 6, 2024. With the first detection of benzene, Valisure, LLC, an independent testing laboratory, filed a petition with the FDA requesting a recall of products affected by the elevated levels of benzene to allow regulators to investigate.
The new study reports that "111 BPO drug products tested from major US retailers appear to be substantially contaminated with benzene when tested shortly after being acquired off the shelf." Results demonstrated that 34% of the products, equivalent to 38 products, contained benzene levels above the FDA's 2 parts per million (ppm) limit, with concentrations ranging from 0.16 ppm to 35.30 ppm.
Advancing Treatment of Solar Lentigines Through the Vasculature Salvage Laser Surgery System
Although solar lentigines pose minimal health risks, their presence can significantly affect patients’ aesthetic concerns and, in turn, their overall quality of life. Solar lentigines are benign epidermal hyperpigmented lesions that develop in sun-exposed areas, primarily due to melanocyte proliferation and melanin accumulation. Traditional interventions, including topical agents, cryotherapy, and laser therapies, particularly Q-switched (QS) Nd:YAG lasers, have long been employed in clinical practice. However, these modalities frequently come with challenges such as prolonged erythema, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and the risk of recurrence, which can undermine patient satisfaction and deter further treatment.
These complications underscore the need for safer, more effective alternatives to deliver reliable results without compromising skin integrity. Recent advancements in laser technology, particularly the development of the Vasculature Salvage Laser Surgery (VSLS) system, may offer a significant leap forward in managing solar lentigines. VSLS, which utilizes a 532-nm nanosecond Nd:YAG laser, has shown promise in minimizing complications while providing effective clearance of these lesions.
Pediatric Melanoma in Review: Providing Considerations for Dermatologists
Pediatric melanoma, though rare, is the most lethal skin cancer in children and adolescents, with unique diagnostic and clinical challenges compared with adult melanoma. In the US, pediatric melanoma is the most common skin cancer diagnosed in children, with 300 to 500 new diagnoses annually. Most pediatric melanoma cases can be attributed to UV DNA damage. As children grow, there is a cumulative UV exposure effect, putting older children and adults at higher risk for melanoma.
Twenty-two percent of pediatric patients with melanoma have nonmodifiable risk factors, such as fair skin, xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), family and genetic history, sun sensitivity, presence of congenital nevi, and nevus pattern. In a study of adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, patients with more than 100 nevi were found to have a 34-fold increased risk of melanoma, whereas those with more than 10 large nevi (greater than 5 mm in diameter) had a 15-fold increased risk.
