ICYMI: Highlights From Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference 2023

The Fall Clinical Dermatology conference presented research on safe and effective therapy treatments for alopecia areata, acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and vitiligo, and here we present some of the highlights.

Our full coverage from the Fall Clinical Dermatology 2023 conference can be found here.

5. Baricitinib Effective in Treating Alopecia Areata

A poster displayed at the conference presented research showing baricitinib was effective in treating adult patients with alopecia areata (AA). AA, a hair loss disorder that can affect any hair-bearing site, has limited data on Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors as a form of treatment. The posters presented an assessment of adults with AA who had 50% or more hair loss and determined baricitinib maintained efficacy in 90% of patients, and the medication appeared safe.

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4. Panel Discusses Treating Acne, Psoriasis in Dermatology Patients

A panel of experts gathered at the Fall Clinical Dermatology conference to discuss treatments for acne and psoriasis beyond the usual topical therapies. The acne panel focused their discussion on combination therapies, specifying the importance of retinoids, topical antibiotics, and benzoyl peroxide. Aside from combination therapy, experts stressed simplifying the treatment regimen for the consumer benefit, without altering the effectiveness of the medication. The panel switched topics to psoriasis, suggesting a new treatment rather than topical steroids. Two creams, tapinarof and rolumilast, were found to be safer, cheaper, and equally effective as topical steroids. New ways to treat patients safely and effectively were highlighted throughout the panel discussion.

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3. Dupilumab Found Effective, Safe as Long-Term Treatment in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis

Two posters at the Fall Clinical Dermatology conference reported separate studies from an open-label extension trial taking place over 5 years among patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). In one poster, patients with AD had long-term safety and efficacy when treated with dupilumab throughout 5 years. There were major improvements in the signs and symptoms of AD as well. The second poster displayed similar results to the first, with the researchers declaring both studies consistent with an acceptable safety profile.

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2. New and Upcoming Treatment for Vitiligo, Atopic Dermatitis

Treatment strategies for vitiligo and AD were covered in a panel discussion at the conference. Therapy for vitiligo includes topical, systemic, and procedural treatments; topical therapy consists of oral antioxidants, oral/topical medications, and phototherapy whereas JAK inhibitors are a form of systemic therapy. Procedural therapy includes melanocyte and keratinocyte transplants in the office using lasers and durablades. The combination of dupilumab and JAK inhibitors was proposed as therapy for patients with AD because both reduce the itch-scratch cycle by reversing neurological hyperreactive states. The mixture of the 2 therapies resulted in a safe and effective treatment for patients with AD.

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1. Ruxolitinib, Povorcitinib Effective in Treating Vitiligo, According to Posters

An evaluation of ruxolitinib and povorcitinib in treating nonsegmental vitiligo was presented among 2 posters at the conference. The first poster displayed effective response to ruxolitinib among adults and adolescents with nonsegmental vitiligo despite their differences in demographics and characteristics. The second poster demonstrated exceptional improvements in patients treated with oral povorcitinib, resulting in facial and total body repigmentation. Overall, both ruxolitinib and povorcitinib were cited as effective treatment methods for nonsegmental vitiligo.

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