Yearly STL Archives: 2022

While the incidence of cervical cancer is decreasing in females, the incidence of oropharyngeal and other HPV-driven cancers is increasing at an alarming rate, especially in males. As such, vaccination efforts should be aimed at addressing...

Topical retinoids are recommended as first-line therapy for most patients with acne. Tazarotene 0.045% lotion is a novel formulation that utilizes polymeric emulsion technology to improve tolerability and epidermal penetration.

Skin barrier differences and variations in the presentation of common dermatoses such as xerosis and atopic dermatitis (AD) have been reported in racial/ethnic Canadian patients. This review discusses skin barrier differences and explores the role of ceramide-containing skin care in promoting a healthy skin barrier and mitigating AD.

Moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis may be difficult to control using current therapies, which has led to development of a novel class of therapy, selective tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors, to address this unmet need.

Acne scars are a frequent complication that results from damage to the skin during the healing process of lesions, with studies indicating that 50% of those suffering from acne may develop scars.

Update covering: Deucravacitinib tablets (Sotyktu™), DaxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm IM injection (Daxxify™), Dupilumab for SC injection (Dupixent®), Spesolimab-sbzo IV injection (Spevigo®) and Selumetinib capsules (Koselugo™).

Breast and prostate cancer patients frequently use hormonal therapy to improve treatment outcomes and survival. However, these medications can be associated with numerous dermatologic adverse effects.

Biologics are protein-based medications that target specific parts of the immune system. IL-23 inhibitor specifically targets a type of cytokine called IL-23 and blocks cellular activity, which results in reduced inflammation that causes psoriasis.

Tildrakizumab (Ilumya) is a brand-name biologic medication that’s used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. This drug is an interleukin (IL-23) inhibitor that’s very effective and works long-term to control the symptoms of psoriasis.

Unlike many other psoriasis treatments, tildrakizumab can be used in higher-risk populations, such as in the elderly or those with psoriasis in addition to other health conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or psoriatic arthritis.

After 12 weeks of treatment with tildrakizumab (Ilumya), over 50 percent of patients can be cleared of their psoriasis. This biologic drug was approved in Canada in October 2021.

People with psoriasis are frequently frustrated over treatments that are ineffective for them, such as tumor necrosis factor biologics, phototherapy, or systemic drugs (such as methotrexate). IL-23 inhibitors, like tildrakizumab, can be an important and effective therapeutic option when patients do not respond to other treatments.

Research has shown high levels of effectiveness are maintained for 5 years and beyond with tildrakizumab (Ilumya), an interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor.

Tildrakizumab (Ilumya), an interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor offers a convenient dosing schedule. Treatment is administered by subcutaneous injection at start of treatment, after 4 weeks, followed by every 12 weeks thereafter.

With the availability of tildrakizumab (Ilumya), an interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor, dermatologists are very optimistic about the continued success of this biologic drug used to treat psoriasis patients.

Unlike many other psoriasis treatments, tildrakizumab can be used in higher-risk populations, such as in the elderly or those with psoriasis in addition to other health conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or psoriatic arthritis.

Results from multiple studies have shown promising response rates, and extracorporeal photopheresis has an overall excellent safety profile with very few adverse events reported.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is an immune-mediated, severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction characterized by epidermal detachment affecting greater than 30% body surface area.

Update covering: Roflumilast cream 0.3% (Zoryve™), Ruxolitinib cream 1.5% (Opzelura™), HA-based dermal filler (Juvéderm® Volux™ XC), Abrocitinib tablets (Cinbinqo®), LetibotulinumtoxinA for injection (Letybo®), Berotralstat capsules (Orladeyo®), Mogamulizumab IV infusion (Poteligeo®), and Avacopan capsules (Tavneos®).

The management of cirAEs starts with physician awareness and patient education on the occurrence of toxicities, preventive measures, and skincare using gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen started before immunotherapy begins and ongoing thereafter as part of the lifestyle.

Tazarotene 0.045% lotion is a novel formulation which utilizes polymeric emulsion technology to improve tolerability and epidermal penetration. Despite the lower concentration of tazarotene in the lotion formulation, which likely also contributes to improved tolerability, tazarotene 0.045% lotion is at least as effective as tazarotene 0.1% cream.

Tirbanibulin effectively and completely cleared AK lesions with a 5-day application period while demonstrating a favorable safety profile, mild AEs, improved tolerability, and long-term results, making it a promising field therapy for AKs.

Update covering: Benzoyl peroxide 5% cream, Isotretinoin ointment, Tapinarof 1% cream, Baricitinib tablets, and Dupilumab for SC injection.

A novel topical corticosteroid, halobetasol propionate (HP) 0.01% lotion (Bryhali™), has recently been introduced for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses in adults.

Sarecycline is a novel antibiotic that has shown significant promise in acne treatment due to its narrow-spectrum activity and weight-based dosing.

This update covers Nivolumab + Relatlimab-rmbw for IV use - Opdualag™ (Bristol-Myers Squibb), Sirolimus topical gel 0.2% - Hyftor™ (Nobelpharma America), Oral epinephrine - AQST-109 (Aquestive Therapeutics), and Bimekizumab for SC use - Bimzelx® (UCB Canada Inc.).

Emerging molecular experimental and clinical data suggests that CXCR4 may play an important role in other skin and systemic diseases including mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1 tumors, allergic reactions, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancers and other solid tumors.

The benefits of transitioning from Cal/BD ointment or gel to aerosol foam formulation in this Canadian patient population were similar to those reported in clinical studies and were seen consistently among patients with a range of treatment priorities and with differing history of psoriasis severity and treatment history.

This update covers Adalimumab biosimilar - Yuflyma™ (Celltrion Healthcare), Adalimumab biosimilar - Simlandi™ (Alvotech/JAMP Pharma), Abrocitinib tablet - Cibinqo® (Pfizer), Upadacitinib tablet - Rinvoq® (AbbVie), Risankizumab-rzaa SC injection - Skyrizi® (AbbVie), and HA-based dermal filler - Juvéderm® Volbella® XC (AbbVie/ Allergan Aesthetics).

Clascoterone 1% cream represents a novel and promising therapeutic agent in the management of acne vulgaris for individuals ≥12 years of age. Notably, this topical agent was not observed to have significant systemic effects seen with systemic anti-androgenic agents.

Currently, JAK inhibitors are only FDA approved for dermatologic, rheumatologic, and hematologic conditions. Recent studies show the utility of JAK inhibitors in treating atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata.

Drug update covering: Adalimumab-adbm for SC use - Cyltezo®, Tralokinumab for SC use - Adtralza® (in Canada), Tralokinumab-ldrm for SC use - Adbry™ (in US), Melanoma vaccine for IV use - BNT111, Adalimumab-aqvh for SC use - Yusimry™, and more...

This index covers all articles published in Skin Therapy Letter Dermatology Edition articles in 2021. Articles are indexed by drug names, trade names and disease terms. Bold entries refer to major references.