Xeljanz, Pradaxa studies most-read dermatology articles of week

Studies on Xeljanz as vitiligo treatment and the continued use of Pradaxa and Xarelto during cutaneous surgery were the top-read articles last week on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other widely read articles focused on treatments for patients with psoriasis, including using tuberculosis testing for those receiving biologic therapy and the relationship between adipokines and disease severity in those treated with Humira:

Xeljanz might be effective as vitiligo treatment

Xeljanz was effective as treatment in a patient with vitiligo, according to recently published study results.

“This report is the first to demonstrate effective pathogenesis-based therapy for a patient with vitiligo,” the researchers concluded. “The fairly rapid response and repigmentation of the hands, which are often resistant to therapy are noteworthy.” Read more

Pradaxa, Xarelto continuation acceptable during cutaneous surgery

Patients treated with anticoagulants Pradaxa or Xarelto did not experience severe hemorrhagic complications during cutaneous surgery, and continuation of the medications during surgery is a reasonable approach, according to study results.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., conducted a retrospective chart analysis of patients who underwent Mohs micrographic surgery or basic excision while being treated with Pradaxa (dabigatran, Boehringer Ingelheim) or Xarelto (rivaroxaban, Janssen) between Jan. 1, 2010, and Sept. 1, 2013. Read more

TB testing supported in patients using biologics for psoriasis, PsA

Evidence supported baseline tuberculosis testing in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis being treated with biologic agents, while other testing lacked evidence for support, according to recently published study results.

“No uniform evidence-based guidelines exist regarding screening and monitoring patients who are undergoing biologic therapy,” Christine S. Ahn, MD, of Wake Forest School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. Read more

Patients with psoriasis treated with Humira had correlation between adipokines, disease severity

Among patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with Humira, correlations were found between leptin and metabolic syndrome and inflammation, and between resistin and inflammation and disease severity, according to study results.

Researchers in Spain evaluated whether leptin and resistin, two adipokines, correlated with metabolic syndrome and disease severity in patients with psoriasis. Read more

Nonmelanoma skin cancer incidence rates appear stable with Xeljanz treatment for RA

Overall nonmelanoma skin cancer incidence rates appeared to be stable in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated with Xeljanz, according to a recent analysis of studies.

Jeffrey Curtis

Jeffrey Curtis, MD, MPH, and colleagues pooled nonmelanoma skin cancer data from two phase 1, eight phase 2 and six phase 3 studies, along with two long-term extension studies. Read more