Highlights from Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Atopic Dermatitis: Current Concepts and Therapeutics for 2020
Dramatic advances in our understanding of the immunology and pathogenesis of AD has resulted in the development on new and novel topical and systemic therapies. Maui Derm’s experts discussed their management strategies for even the most complex cases of AD. Presentations also included discussion of the emerging pipeline of new systemic and topical drugs and where they will likely fit in the treatment spectrum of AD.
Andrew Blauvelt, MD, MBA, presented on new systemic therapies for AD. Topics discussed by Dr. Blauvelt include:
- Different immunological patterns in different clinical types of AD, including European American AD, Asian AD, African American AD, and pediatric AD
- Possible targets for AD therapies and those still being explored
- Recent research and status updates on promising new biologics for AD, including tralokinumab, lebrikizumab, and nemolizumab
- Recent research and status updates on new oral JAK inhibitors for AD, including baricitinib, abrocitinib, upadacitinib
- Dr. Blauvelt’s preliminary efficacy ranking of these new therapies for AD, based on the available mix of Phase II and III data
Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, presented on what’s new in atopic dermatitis in children. Topics discussed by Dr. Eichenfield include:
- The psychosocial and quality of life impacts that pediatric AD can have on both children and their caregivers
- Updates in topical therapies for children with AD, including crisaborole, topical JAK inhibitors (e.g., ruxolitinib and delgocitinib), tapinarof, pimecrolimus lotion, and more
- Frequent versus infrequent bathing in pediatric patients with AD
- Determining how much topical medication to use based on the age and affected body surface area of a pediatric patient
- Apple cider vinegar soaks for AD
- New research on dupilumab for adolescents with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe AD
- Dupilumab for patients with AD under 12 year of age
- Emollient intervention studies
Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, presented highlights in the AD literature from the past year. Topics discussed by Dr. Silverberg include:
- Outpatient utilization for AD
- Pain in AD
- Health-related quality of life in AD
- Depression and psychosocial distress in AD
- Depression and anxiety in AD
- Screening for depression in AD
- Updates on topical treatments in AD, including ruxolitinib, delgocitinib, and tapinarof
Eric Simpson, MD, MCR, presented an update on dupilumab. Topics discussed by Dr. Simpson include:
- Real-world experience with dupilumab
- Dupilumab and conjunctivitis
- Rare adverse events when treating with dupilumab
- Considering comorbidities when deciding whether to treat with dupilumab
- Other uses for dupilumab
- Questions regarding treatment length, vaccines, pregnancy, and lactation in relation to dupilumab
Lasers and Energy Devices Used to Treat Medical Problems: What’s New in 2020
Maui Derm’s world-class experts discussed their approach to an array of challenging skin conditions and cutaneous lesions, ranging from vascular lesions and tumors, striae, scars, disorders of pigmentation, and more.
E. Victor Ross, MD, presented an introductory presentation on lasers and light. Some of the topics covered by Dr. Ross include:
- Electromagnetic radiation
- Laser light versus regular light
- Output characteristics of lasers
- Important parameters for pulsed light and continuous wave applications
- An overview of laser devices
- Older versus modern pulsed-dye laser treatments
- Laser complication causes
- Advantages and disadvantages of intense pulsed light treatments
Professor R. Rox Anderson, MD, presented on principles of energy-based device skin interactions. Topics discussed by Dr. Anderson include:
- An overview of energy-based therapies
- How to localize thermal excitation
- Selective photothermolysis
- Absorption spectra of skin pigments
- Non-laser energy sources