Efficacy of berdazimer gel for molluscum contagiosum clearance
A review published in Pediatric Dermatology evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing berdazimer gel with a vehicle for treating molluscum contagiosum (MC). The meta-analysis included three reports and four RCT involving 1,854 patients, with 1,106 (59.6%) randomized to receive berdazimer. More patients in the treatment group experienced complete clearance of lesions at week 12 compared with those in the control group (30% vs. 20%). Although there was a reduction in scarring in the berdazimer group, the patients reported higher rates of erythema, exfoliation, pain, pruritus, dermatitis, and swelling.
According to the study authors, dermatologists must weigh the benefit of hastening the resolution of molluscum contagiosum lesions and scar reduction against the risk of application-site adverse reactions when considering treatment with berdazimer gel.
FDA approves first molluscum contagiosum treatment. Read more.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: A permanent addition to the list of transient neonatal dermatoses — Transient abdominal telangiectasia of the newborn
Any parent looking at their newborn child will wonder if the skin lesions they observe are worrisome. During the neonatal period, defined as the first four weeks of life, most cutaneous findings are transient and benign; occasionally, they may be manifestations of serious disease. In a retrospective, observational, multicenter study, Juzot et al reported 20 newborns who developed, at a median age of 7 days, large abdominal patches of radially arranged purplish telangiectasia in a bilateral and symmetrical pattern relative to the midline, creating a “butterfly wing” pattern, labeling this entity “transient abdominal telangiectasia of the newborn” (TATN). The authors conclude, “While most cases of TATN regress spontaneously and are benign, their presence should lead the clinician to check the medical history, perform a careful clinical abdominal examination, and where appropriate consider abdominal ultrasound to rule out a pelvic or intraabdominal mass.” Keep reading!
FDA approves bimekizumab for psoriasis
The FDA recently approved bimekizumab-bkzx for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Bimekizumab is designed to selectively inhibit two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes — IL-17A and IL-17F.
The FDA recommended dosage of bimekizumab for psoriasis patients is 320 mg (given as two subcutaneous injections of 160 mg each) at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16, then every eight weeks thereafter. For patients weighing ≥120 kg, a dose of 320 mg every four weeks after week 16 may be considered. Bimekizumab will be available in the U.S. in about one month.
The most common adverse reactions (≥1%) are upper respiratory infections, oral candidiasis, headache, injection site reactions, tinea infections, gastroenteritis, herpes simplex infections, acne, folliculitis, other candida infections, and fatigue.
Superficial cryotherapy for treating alopecia areata
A review published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology summarized research on the therapeutic use of superficial cryotherapy for the treatment of patients with alopecia areata and examined studies comparing cryotherapy with intralesional steroid injections and topical corticosteroid therapy. Three studies found that approximately 60% of patients responded to treatment with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy and achieved hair regrowth. Some of the other studies comparing cryotherapy with steroid injections and topical corticosteroid therapy demonstrated similar efficacy but with a potentially lower relapse rate associated with cryotherapy. The authors conclude that cryotherapy may be a useful therapeutic option for patients with AA who have not responded to or encountered side effects from previous steroid therapy.
Atopic dermatitis improvement switching from dupilumab to upadacitinib
According to a study published in JAAD, patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) who switched from dupilumab to upadacitinib experienced significant improvement in efficacy and itch as early as week four of treatment.
[A guide to transitioning to JAK inhibitors for patients with AD. Read more.]
In this 16-week interim analysis of a 52-week open label extension study of 484 adults with moderate to severe AD, researchers evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of continuous upadacitinib at 30 mg and switching to upadacitinib after 24 weeks of dupilumab. After 24 weeks of receiving once-daily upadacitinib 30 mg, 239 patients continued the same dosage. Additionally, 245 patients switched from subcutaneous dupilumab 300 mg every other week to once-daily upadacitinib 30 mg at week 22.
[Efficacy of upadacitinib in patients with recalcitrant vitiligo. Read more.]
According to the study, patients on upadacitinib saw a baseline EASI score of 30.5 improve to 2.4 at week 24. Those who continued on the drug maintained this improvement with a score of 2.7 at week 16, and 91% of these patients reported an EASI score of 7 or less at the same time point. The percentage of patients who switched to upadacitinib from dupilumab and achieved EASI 90 increased from 66.4% to 87.8% after four weeks.
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