Incidence of keratinocyte carcinoma with use of acitretin
In a report published in JAAD, the authors examined the associations between keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) incidence and the use of acitretin in patients taking acitretin for any indication and identified unique patient characteristics that may impact efficacy. Of 188 adults who were prescribed acitretin, 70 began acitretin between 2016 and 2023 and had ≥1 follow-up visits. In this cohort, 67% were prescribed acitretin for KC chemoprevention; 10 patients were organ transplant recipients.
[What’s new in treating actinic keratosis? Find out.]
The most common dosages were 10 mg (36%) and 25 mg (40%) daily, and the median duration of treatment was 2.4 years, with 31% taking acitretin for <1 year. The rate of KC incidence decreased by an average of 2.61 KCs/year. cSCC incidence significantly decreased (3.23 KCs/year) but not BCC incidence (0.44 KCs/year). KC incidence decreased in women (4.44 KCs/year) and nontransplant patients (2.48 KCs/year), with no significant decrease in KC incidence observed in men. KC incidence decreased in patients on 25 mg/day, but not lower doses.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Beef tallow for eczema — Grade A prime or just another bum steer?
As a pediatric dermatologist, I have seen skin care trends come and go faster than a cow fleeing a branding iron. Lately, social media — especially herd-mentality platforms like TikTok — has been bullish on beef tallow as a cure-all for skin woes, particularly atopic dermatitis (eczema). With #beeftallowskincare racking up over 68.5 million posts by March 2025, it is clear this trend is moo-ving toward the mainstream. Tallow’s recent resurgence, fueled by a rejection of “toxic” science-based skin care and a fondness for skinfluencer wellness fads, has it back in the spotlight. To be fair, tallow is natural, free of synthetic preservatives, cheap, and potentially sustainable when sourced from local, ethical farms. But is beef tallow the wagyu of skin care or simply a load of bull? Keep reading!
Academy mourns the passing of Paul S. Russell Jr., MD
The Academy recently learned with sorrow of the passing of Paul S. Russell Jr., MD, former vice president and secretary treasurer of the Academy. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Russell was a clinical professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University.
He was active in local, state, and national medical societies, having served on or chaired over 35 committees for the Academy. Dr. Russell served as secretary treasurer of the AAD from 1989-1991 and was vice president of the AAD in 1996. He received the Academy’s highest honor, the Gold Medal Award, in 2004. In 2005, Dr. Russell received the Dermatology Foundation’s Clark A. Finnerud Award for outstanding contributions to dermatology as a clinician and part-time educator. He was inducted into the American Dermatological Association, a dermatology honorary society, in 1982.
Low-level laser, LED therapy for alopecia
Authors of a study published in Dermatologic Surgery evaluated the efficacy of low-level light therapy (LLLT) for various types of alopecia. Thirty-eight studies were included that described 3,098 patients with androgenetic alopecia (2,930), scarring alopecia (49), alopecia areata (50), telogen effluvium (17), and chemotherapy-induced alopecia (32). The mean change in hair density increased significantly in androgenetic alopecia patients after LLLT for four to 26 weeks compared with placebo. The authors concluded that LLLT is a promising treatment option for patients with androgenetic alopecia, but future studies are needed to better understand its efficacy in other types of alopecia.
Is dermatologic surgery safe, effective for older patients?
An article published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment characterized keratinocyte cancer surgery in patients over 80 years of age, with a focus on the incidence of postoperative complications. A total of 565 tumors were removed from 345 patients, consisting mainly of basal cell carcinoma (46.5%) and squamous cell carcinoma (45.8%).
[Dermatologists discuss considerations and complexities in caring for older adults with skin cancer. Read more.]
A total of 26 complications were recorded, resulting in an overall complication rate of 4.6%. Of the 26 recorded complications, 58% involved wound dehiscence, requiring no further measures. The use of novel oral anticoagulants, lower extremity location, surgical specimen size >2 cm2, and flap repair were found to be independent risk factors associated with a statistically higher incidence of complications. The authors concluded that dermatologic surgery tailored to the geriatric population is relatively safe and effective with a low rate of postoperative complications.
Is upadacitinib cardioprotective in chronic inflammatory diseases?
An article in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology evaluated the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). A literature review was conducted to identify studies reporting MACE and venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates in moderate-to-severe AD populations. MACE rates in the background AD populations ranged from 0.3 to 1.2 per 100 patient-years, whereas patients treated with upadacitinib exhibited lower rates (15 mg: 0.2; 30 mg: <0.1). VTE rates in AD populations ranged from 0.1 to 0.3, while upadacitinib-treated patients showed lower rates at 0.1 for both 15 mg and 30 mg doses. The lower MACE and VTE rates in patients treated with upadacitinib suggests potential cardiovascular and thrombotic benefits, the study authors noted.
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