Weekly Roundup: August 24-28

In case you missed it, some of this week’s featured content includes a glimpse into the world of vitiligo treatment with expert Seemal R. Desai, M.D., FAAD, positive phase 3 results for both tapinarof (Dermavant) and mirikizumab (Eli Lilly) studies, new COVID-19 safety protocols from the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery Aesthetic Medicine Focus Group, emerging options for high-risk melanoma, a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved topical androgen receptor inhibitor for treatment of acne vulgaris, plus more.

Topical androgen receptor inhibitor approved by FDA for acne

Clascoterone cream 1% (Winlevi, Cassiopea), a first-in-class androgen receptor inhibitor, has been approved by the U.S. FDA for treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years and older.

What’s new in vitiligo treatment?

Expert Seemal R. Desai, M.D., FAAD, highlights new therapeutics that may impact the future of vitiligo management, a topic he discussed at the AAD Virtual Meeting Experience (VMX) in June.

Pretreatment punch technique guides safe injection

A series of needle punctures down to the periosteum along glabellar line(s) allows clinicians to assess for the presence of the supratrochlear artery and/or its branches prior to filler injection.

The role of antioxidants in vitiligo treatment

Antioxidants can be a valuable part of your vitiligo therapeutic armamentarium, says expert Seemal R. Desai, M.D., FAAD.

Phase 3 trials show tapinarof cream, safe effective for plaque psoriasis

Dermavant announces positive results from its two identical phase 3 trials investigating tapinarof cream 1% for treatment of plaque psoriasis in adult patients.

COVID-19 safety guidelines provide protocols to protect staff, patients

Safety guidelines from the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery Aesthetic Medicine Focus Group describe protocols for protecting clinic staff and patients from COVID-19. Recommendations include procedures before, during and after a patient visit, as well as necessary forms.

What we know (and don’t) about dietary effects on skin aging

While more evidence is required to really understand how diet impacts skin aging, some studies suggest a Mediterranean diet, changing cooking methods and decreasing sugar can positively impact skin aging.

Microbiome-based treatments not ready for prime time

Manipulating the microbiome has been shown to impact conditions including acne, atopic dermatitis (AD), autoimmune diseases and melanoma. While there are many clinical trials now in progress, safety and efficacy have not yet been proven.

Mirikizumab beats secukinumab in phase 3 plaque psoriasis study

Lilly’s mirikizumab demonstrates superiority over secukinumab (Cosentyx, Novartis) as a treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, according to recently released results from the OASIS-2 study.

Emerging options for high-risk melanoma

Recruiting is ongoing for an investigator-initiated clinical trial of pembrolizumab in clinical stage 2B/C melanoma which will investigate the effects of treatment with pembrolizumab before surgery to remove melanoma on the rate of positive sentinel lymph nodes in patients with stage IIB/C melanoma.

Best practices for unstable vitiligo

Expert Seemal R. Desai, M.D., FAAD, offers practical tips for stabilizing patients who present with active, spreading vitiligo, a topic he discussed at the AAD Virtual Meeting Experience (VMX) in June.

Long-term data support tildrakizumab safety, user-friendliness

Phase 3 data show tildrakizumab’s (Ilumya, Sun Pharma) efficacy and safety last up to five years.

Meta-analysis reaffirms safety, efficacy of intermittent biologic use

According to a recent meta-analysis, patients who stop and restart biologic treatment can regain psoriasis control without experiencing unexpected safety issues.

Talk to your vitiligo patients about their treatment goals

Expert Seemal R. Desai, M.D., FAAD, stresses the importance of defining treatment goals when meeting with vitiligo patients, a topic he covered during his presentation at the AAD Virtual Meeting Experience (VMX) in June.

The Mainstream Patient: August 24

This week’s edition of The Mainstream Patient features stories about viral exfoliating body washcloths, hyaluronic acid, wearing sunscreen with a mask, body acne, plus more.

How to classify disease activity in vitiligo patients

Is your patient’s vitiligo stable, unstable or recalcitrant? Expert Seemal R. Desai, M.D., FAAD, discusses how he classifies disease activity in his practice.

Systemic immunomodulatory therapy may protect patients with COVID-19

Researchers at Mount Sinai Medical Center are investigating interactions between immunomodulatory treatments used to manage inflammatory skin diseases and the effects on patients with COVID-19.

Drug vehicles deliver benefits

Vehicles for topical atopic dermatitis treatments deliver benefits that promote barrier restoration and enhance innate immune defenses, a review suggests.

Tralokinumab demonstrates long-term success in phase 3

In clinical trials, most patients treated with tralokinumab maintained 75% reductions in EASI scores for one year.