Xeljanz for vitiligo, psoriasis research among week's top-read articles in dermatology

The use of Xeljanz as a possibly effective treatment for vitiligo was the top-read article last week on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other widely read articles included research presented on psoriasis developments at the World Congress of Dermatology and dermatology associations responding to the recent Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act:

Xeljanz might be effective as vitiligo treatment

Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate, Pfizer) was effective as treatment in a patient with vitiligo, according to recently published study results.

Brett A. King, MD, PhD, and colleague Brittany G. Craiglow, MD, reported on a woman in her 50s who had widespread and progressive vitiligo for approximately 1 year. Read more

Patients with psoriasis experienced frequent treatment disruptions during 1-year period

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — There were more patients with psoriasis who switched or restarted therapy in a 1-year period than there were patients remaining on continuous therapy, according to research presented at the World Congress of Dermatology.

April W. Armstrong

“Approximately 547,000 moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients remain untreated,” presenter April W. Armstrong, MD, MPH, told Healio.com/Dermatology. “Among those who have been treated, many experienced treatment disruptions. Read more

Ixekizumab maintained efficacy in long-term treatment of psoriasis

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — More than half of patients treated every 4 weeks with ixekizumab as maintenance therapy achieved complete resolution of their psoriasis at week 60 of an extension trial, according to research presented at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Researchers studied patients with psoriasis who achieved a static Physician Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 (sPGA 0/1) after 12 weeks of induction therapy to determine optimal ixekizumab (Eli Lilly) dosing for maintenance of response during an additional 48 weeks in a blinded trial. Read more

Standard adult dosing of Stelara efficacious in adolescents with psoriasis

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Standard adult dosing of Stelara produced greater efficacy in adolescents with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis when compared with half dosing and placebo treatment in a 1-year study, according to research presented at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Stelara (ustekinumab, Janssen) is currently indicated for adults 18 years or older with plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Read more

PAGE BREAK

VIDEO: Patients with psoriasis report touch avoidance

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — In this video, April W. Armstrong, MD, MPH, discusses her research presentation on touch avoidance in patients with psoriasis at the World Congress of Dermatology.

“Touch is the basis for interpersonal relationships, and it can convey understanding and care,” Armstrong told Healio.com/Dermatology. “In psoriasis patients, however, oftentimes some of them may have fear of touching others or being touched because of the stigma that’s associated with having psoriasis.” Watch video

Dermatological associations respond to Supreme Court decision on Affordable Care Act

The American Academy of Dermatology Association and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association have issued responses following today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on the Affordable Care Act.

Mark G. Lebwohl

“The [American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA)] has … remained committed to improving the law so that it does not undermine patients’ access to care and treatment or physicians’ ability to treat their patients,” Mark G. Lebwohl, MD, FAAD, president of the AADA, said in a press release. “While the Affordable Care Act is not a perfect law, today the Supreme Court found that citizens in state and federal exchanges under the [Affordable Care Act (ACA)] remain eligible to receive federal subsidies to purchase coverage.” Read more