Yearly STL Archives: 2019

Tildrakizumab is a promising therapeutic option for patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. The specificity of the drug in targeting the p19 subunit of IL-23 allows for the high efficacy and safety of long-term treatment as demonstrated in clinical trials.

Methotrexate has been an important agent in the management of dermatologic conditions for decades. Although first indicated for the treatment of psoriasis, MTX has been shown to be a successful treatment option for a wide array of skin diseases.

The latest drug & device update covers: Trifarotene 0.005% cream (Aklief®, Galderma), Afamelanotide implant (Scenesse®, Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals), Rituximab for IV use (Rituxan®, Genentech), Jynneos™ (Bavarian Nordic), Aczone® (Almirall) and Juvéderm Voluma® XC (Allergan)

Onychomycosis, also known as tinea unguium, is a progressive fungal infection of the nails resulting in discoloration, nail plate thickening, and onycholysis. Efinaconazole 10% solution is an effective and convenient topical antifungal treatment for onychomycosis, with toenail mycological cure rates between 53.4% and 55.2% and complete cure rates between 15.2% and 17.8%.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous serum containing high concentrations of platelets and growth factors. PRP continues to evolve as an important treatment modality with many applications in dermatology, particularly in the areas of hair restoration, skin rejuvenation, acne scars, dermal augmentation, and striae distensae.

Dermatology supplements, often marketed as “skin, hair, and nail” supplements, are becoming increasingly popular. However, many consumers lack an understanding of the science of dietary supplements or the specifics of the supplement industry.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and pruritic inflammatory disease that affects a wide age range of patients causing significant impact on their quality of life. There has been a recently updated consensus paper on the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD published by an expert panel of dermatologists and pediatricians. Family physicians are well equipped to manage...

The latest drug & device update covers: Adalimumab-bwwd for SC injection (Hadlima™), Apremilast tablets (Otezla®), Calcipotriene + betamethasone dipropionate (Enstilar® foam Taclonex® topical suspension), Bempegaldesleukin + nivolumab for IV use (NKTR-214 + Opdivo®), Dupilumab for SC injection (Dupixent®), Magnetic muscle stimulation for body contouring (CoolTone™), Laser device for body contouring (eon™ FR).

Medical algorithms are created, yet there is a paucity of information about how such algorithms should be created and the optimal way to develop an excellent algorithm. Well constructed medical algorithms have the potential to improve and standardize medical decisions, enhance adherence to better guidelines and improve patient care.

There is no clear evidence that monoclonal antibodies influence neurological function and modulate behavior in humans. More research in this area is necessary in order to begin to understand the potential effects of..

Shingrix®, a new recombinant subunit vaccine, has shown a great deal of promise in the prevention of HZ in adults over the age of 50. The combination of zoster viral glycoprotein E and the AS01B adjuvant system make it a safe, efficacious option for the elderly as well as immunosuppressed individuals.

Latest drug update covers Belimumab for IV use (Benlysta, GSK), Etanercept-ykro (Eticovo®, Samsung Bioepis), Halobetasol propionate 0.01% + tazarotene 0.045% lotion (Duobrii™, Bausch Health), Protein replacement therapy for SC injection (PTR-01, Phoenix Tissue Repair), Risankizumab for SC injection (Skyrizi™, AbbVie), Ruxolitinib tablets (Jakafi®, Incyte Corporatio), and Oral MEK inhibitor (PD-0325901, SpringWorks Therapeutics).

There have been important advances in our understanding of acne scarring. Acne scars can resolve, and their evolution is determined by a balance between matrix repair and degradation. Timely, effective management of acne can minimize risk of subsequent acne scarring.

Fusidic acid/betamethasone 17-valerate cream (Fucibet®) is a cosmetically acceptable, well tolerated cream which is hydrating and improves the TSS dermatitis score in secondarily infected dermatitis. In addition, it clears bacteria in infected dermatitis better than vehicle suggesting that improving the dermatitis with a steroid might be synergistic, perhaps through a reduction in bacterial load.

When prescribing brodalumab, or any other biologic agent, physicians should screen patients for psychiatric comorbidities. Assessment of risk versus benefit, and having an honest conversation with patients regarding the label, will help provide better patient care for both physical and mental health.

This review examines the clinical trials of topical diacerein and its role in Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex. Diacerein cream was recently US FDA-approved in May 2018 for treatment of patients with EBS.

Vitiligo is a psychosocially debilitating disease requiring a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Patients should be made aware of all of the options available geared at repigmentation and depigmentation prior to formulating a treatment plan.

Latest drug update covers Pembrolizumab for IV injection (Keytruda®, Merck & Co.), Guselkumab for SC injection (Tremfya®, MorphoSys/Janssen), Dupilumub for SC injection (Dupixent®, Regeneron), and Risankizumab for SC injection (Skyrizi™, AbbVie).

Glycopyrronium tosylate (Qbrexza), a topical anticholinergic therapy, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

Crisaborole represents a novel and efficacious therapeutic approach for the treatment of mild to moderate Atopic Dermatitis and demonstrates early and continued decrease in pruritus, which improves quality of life and reduces the potential risk of infection and scarring.

A list of skin treatments introduced in 2018, categorized by type/class of therapy. The content primarily focuses on approvals issued by US and Canadian drug regulatory agencies and is sourced from both regulatory and industry news releases.

Latest drug update covers Pembrolizumab, Oral JAK + SYK dual inhibitor, Lidocaine 7% + tetracaine 7% local anesthetic cream and PrabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs.

In this article, we provide a guide to address a growing need by primary care physicians to have a logical and practical approach to treating various forms of acne.

An overview to AD care and focus our review to topical agents used in AD including topical corticosteroids (TCS) and topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI) and discuss the newest topical agent accessible in the physician's armamentarium, crisaborole.

In this article, we summarize a large body of literature on such a tool (a non-invasive adhesive patch based gene expression test for LINC and PRAME) and provide a guide to primary care physicians on how to use this tool to improve pigmented lesion management by biopsying less while at the same time reducing the chance of missing melanomas.

Primary focal hyperhidrosis afflicts a significant number of patients in the United States and greatly impacts their quality of life. Treatment decisions should take into consideration disease location, severity and patient preference.

There are many new immunotherapeutics that have been approved or are in clinical and pre-clinical trials to expand our arsenal in the treatment of melanoma and other previously difficult to treat malignancies.

Update on Dalbavancin hydrochloride for IV infusion (Xydalba™), Omadacycline for IV and oral use (Nuzyra™), Tildrakizumab-asmn for SC injection (Ilumya™), Adalimumab-adaz for SC injection (Hyrimoz™) and other new drugs and treatments.

Articles are indexed by drug names, trade names and disease terms. Bold entries refer to major references. Use the main navigation (A, B, C..) to navigate through this index and use the reference links (i.e. 4:5-9) to see the sources.