From Biologics to Bio-Machines: Top Takeaways From Maui Derm 2026

Insights presented at the conference point to a rapidly evolving era in dermatology. | Image credit: ipopba - stock.adobe.com

The Maui Derm Hawaii 2026 meeting brought together leading dermatologists and researchers to spotlight major advances across the spectrum of skin health, from groundbreaking therapeutic agents and precision pediatric care to innovative strategies in tumor management and emerging future technologies. Insights presented at the conference point to a rapidly evolving era in dermatology, marked by targeted therapies, multidisciplinary approaches, and a forward-looking embrace of technological innovation.

Expanding Therapeutic Frontiers in Inflammatory Diseases

A central theme of the meeting was the continued expansion and refinement of treatments for chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated skin conditions. Novel agents and classes of drugs are reshaping care pathways for diseases that have historically been difficult to manage, according to presenters Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD, professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and the director of both the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Center, and Sheila Fallon Friedlander, MD, professor of clinical pediatrics and medicine (dermatology) at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and director of the Dermatology Fellowship Training Program at Rady Children’s Hospital.

For moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD), data from the phase 3 ROCKET trials showcased the promise of rocatinlimab (AMG 451/KHK4083; Amgen, Kyowa Kirin), an OX40-targeted therapy that delivered significant improvements in disease severity and quality of life metrics at 24 weeks, even among patients with prior treatment failures. This signals the emergence of a new class of AD therapies and highlights the shifting paradigm toward immune-pathway-specific intervention.

In chronic spontaneous urticaria, the recently FDA-approved oral Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor remibrutinib (Rhapsido; Novartis) offers an alternative to existing biologics and antihistamines, potentially broadening patient choice and tailoring treatment based on disease subtype.2

Further innovation was evident in psoriasis and prurigo nodularis, where IL-23 receptor blockers and selective JAK1 inhibitors are advancing toward clinical use with encouraging efficacy and safety profiles. Dermatologists at the conference underscored the importance of prioritizing quality-of-life outcomes alongside traditional clinical end points, particularly in diseases that impose high symptomatic burdens.

Oncodermatology and Nonsurgical Skin Tumor Management

Beyond inflammatory disease, speakers highlighted paradigm shifts in the management of cutaneous oncologic disorders.3 Sessions on nonsurgical approaches, led by Ted Rosen, MD, professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine and chief of dermatology service at Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, emphasized individualized treatment based on patient risk and tumor burden, especially for actinic keratosis (AK) and keratinocyte cancers. The role of topical therapies such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and intralesional methotrexate was discussed in detail, with experts advocating for tailored dosing and close follow-up to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity.

Chemopreventive strategies like niacinamide continue to be studied, though clinicians were urged to consider contraindications such as gout and uric acid stone risk when prescribing.

In Merkel cell carcinoma, a historically aggressive tumor, the integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors with multimodal care, including imaging and adjuvant therapies, is improving long-term survival rates and redefining expectations for outcomes in high-risk patients.

Pediatric Dermatology: Precision and Systemic Therapies

A pediatric dermatology session presented by Rosen along with Neal Bhatia, MD, director of clinical dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research and chief medical editor for Practical Dermatology, focused on both diagnostic precision and the judicious use of systemic therapies tailored to children’s unique needs.2 Experts noted that common skin conditions in children often present differently than in adults, requiring a high degree of clinical suspicion and sometimes revisiting initial diagnoses when typical treatments fail.

Therapeutically, targeted biologics and JAK inhibitors continue to transform care for pediatric AD and psoriasis. However, panelists emphasized that broader agents like methotrexate and cyclosporine still play a role when disease is multifactorial or inadequately controlled by targeted treatments.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Toward a Multisystem Approach

Vivian Shi, MD, director of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Specialty Clinic and professor of dermatology at the University of Washington in Seattle, described a shift from viewing hidradenitis suppurativa as a skin-localized condition to recognizing it as a complex systemic inflammatory condition.4 This reframing has implications for comprehensive care that integrates screening for metabolic and hormonal abnormalities, psychosocial burden, and coordinated medical and surgical strategies.

Combination antibiotic regimens, hormonal therapies, biologics, and strategic surgical timing were all presented as part of an integrated care model. In severe disease, aggressive surgical intervention remains crucial even as medical therapies improve inflammation control.

Innovation at the Intersection of Biology and Technology

The conference also looked beyond current practice toward future innovations.5 In a forward-looking session on the “biological revolution” in dermatology, Rox Anderson, MD, professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, director of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, and adjunct professor of health sciences and technology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, explored concepts such as photobiomodulation, engineered bio-machines, and the role of artificial intelligence. These emerging technologies promise to extend dermatologic care into realms once considered the domain of bioengineering and computational science, hinting at therapies that could one day integrate living systems or advanced light-based modalities into treatment paradigms.

Discussions at Maui Derm Hawaii 2026 spotlight a moment of rapid transformation in dermatology. From targeted immunotherapies and refined pediatric care to sophisticated oncologic management and future bioengineered therapies, the conference highlighted both the current and future frontiers of skin health. As these innovations continue to mature, dermatologists are poised to deliver more personalized, effective, and comprehensive care across a spectrum of diseases.

References

1. Grossi G. Clinical trial data signal a new era for atopic dermatitis, melanoma, and psoriasis. AJMC®. January 26, 2026. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.ajmc.com/view/clinical-trial-data-signal-a-new-era-for-atopic-dermatitis-melanoma-and-psoriasis
2. Grossi G. New dermatologic therapies make waves at Maui Derm 2026. AJMC. January 27, 2026. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.ajmc.com/view/new-dermatologic-therapies-make-waves-at-maui-derm-hawaii-2026
3. Grossi G. Optimizing nonsurgical management of skin tumors at Maui Derm 2026. AJMC. January 28, 2026. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.ajmc.com/view/optimizing-nonsurgical-management-of-skin-tumors-at-maui-derm-2026
4. Grossi G. Combination therapy, biologics, and surgery redefine HS care in 2026. AJMC. January 29, 2026. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.ajmc.com/view/combination-therapy-biologics-and-surgery-redefine-hs-care-in-2026
5. Grossi G. Photobiomodulation, bio-machines, and the future of dermatology. AJMC. January 30, 3036. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.ajmc.com/view/photobiomodulation-bio-machines-and-the-future-of-dermatology