Intralesional MMR vaccine after failure of intralesional Candida antigen in patients with recalcitrant warts
A study published inPediatric Dermatologyinvestigated the efficacy of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine after failure of the intralesional Candida antigen for the treatment of recalcitrant warts in pediatric patients. In this study, 51 pediatric patients with warts recalcitrant to intralesional Candida antigen were treated with intralesional MMR vaccine. The authors found that 15.5% of the patients experienced complete resolution, 12% had near-complete resolution, and 37% had partial improvement. Age had a marginally significant impact on treatment response, with patients younger than 12 years being more likely to respond to the treatment. The number of MMR treatments did not significantly influence treatment response.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Beyond disfigurement — The potential for keratinocyte carcinoma in discoid lupus
Cosmetic disfigurement due to scars and dyspigmentation is the main complication of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). There is another complication of DLE — albeit rare — the risk of keratinocyte carcinoma, especially squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). I recently reviewed the risk for developing systemic disease that could affect the joints, kidneys, brain, heart, and lungs. The bottom line: “The data is variable, but the message is clear: Enough DLE patients may progress to SLE to warrant periodic monitoring by a review of systems and laboratory tests. Rarely, life-threatening squamous cell carcinomas may complicate discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). Securing the diagnosis of keratinocyte carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma more likely than basal cell carcinoma) within DLE may be challenging. Preliminary evidence suggests that treating DLE may decrease the risk of malignancy. Keep reading!
FDA approves new drug for molluscum contagiosum
The FDA has approved berdazimer topical gel, 10.3% (Zelsuvmi) for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adults and pediatric patients one year of age and older. This is the first novel drug for the treatment of molluscum infections. The efficacy of berdazimer gel was demonstrated in two phase 3 trials, which showed the drug’s ability reduce lesion counts and was well tolerated when used once per day. The most commonly reported adverse reactions in clinical trials (≥1%) were application site reactions.
A multicenter, open-label, long-term extension study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology assessed the safety and efficacy of clascoterone cream 1% in patients with moderate-to-severe acne after nine months of treatment. Between both the original and the extension studies, 19% of patients treated with clascoterone experienced treatment-emergent adverse events, most of which were mild or moderate in severity and unrelated to clascoterone. The proportion of patients achieving clear or almost clear facial skin increased from 13.5% at baseline to 48.9% at the end of the study. For truncal acne, the percentage of patients with clear or almost clear skin increased from 4% to 52%.
A study published in the International Journal of Dermatology investigated the relationship between lipophilic and hydrophilic statin exposure and the risk of skin cancer. This meta-analysis of 12 studies, including nearly 4.5 million participants, found that the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma, was increased with exposure to lipophilic, but not hydrophilic, statins. Further analysis showed that exposure to lovastatin and simvastatin, but not atorvastatin or fluvastatin, was associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. The authors conclude that further research is needed, however health care professionals should be aware that lipophilic statins may be associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.
FDA probes hair loss, other potential weight-loss drug side effects
The FDA is looking into whether hair loss, aspiration, and suicidal thoughts may be side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists, a popular class of weight-loss drugs.
On Jan. 2, the agency published a summary of reports received through its Adverse Event Reporting System, or FAERS, saying it is “evaluating the need for regulatory action" after receiving reports of alopecia, aspiration and suicidal thoughts in people using medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy. The reports are based on data collected from July through September. The appearance of a drug on the list “means that the FDA has identified a potential safety issue, but it does not mean that the FDA has identified a causal relationship between the drug and the listed risk.”
If new safety signals are identified, the FDA will thoroughly review the available data and determine what, if any actions, are appropriate.
AADA launches patient advocacy grassroots campaign against Medicare physician cuts
The AADA is asking members to encourage patients to call on their members of Congress to fix Medicare cuts that threaten health care access. Congress concluded its 2023 session without acting to mitigate or cancel the 3.37% cut to dermatology’s Medicare reimbursement, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Currently, Congress is under a time crunch with two government funding deadlines before Feb.2, along with several health care issues, including the much-anticipated Medicare physician payment reform. The AADA hopes that a member-driven social media campaign will encourage Congress to include legislation addressing the 2024 Medicare physician payment cuts by the Feb. 2 government funding deadline.
Between Jan. 8 and Feb. 9, AADA’s social media channels are encouraging members to ask their patients to contact Congress to ensure their access to health care is not threatened by Medicare physician payment cuts. As the campaign progresses, we will highlight the states with the highest number of AADA member patients contacting their member of Congress.
MIPS data submission period open
CMS has opened the data submission period for Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)-eligible clinicians who participated in the 2023 performance year of the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Data can be submitted and updated until 8 p.m. ET on April 1, 2024. If you are using the Academy’s clinical data registry, DataDerm™, please note that the submission deadline for 2023 reporting is Friday, March 15.
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