Rosacea, wound-healing studies among week's top five dermatology reads

Research linking rosacea severity to systemic comorbidities was the most-read article of the past week on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other widely read articles included the use of bovine-derived collagen xengograft in healing postoperative scalp defects and Xeljanz as a possible treatment for vitiligo:

Rosacea severity linked to systemic comorbidities

The rate of systemic comorbidities for patients with rosacea was associated with rosacea severity, according to recent study results.

Barbara M. Rainer, MD, and colleagues evaluated 130 participants in the case-control study: 65 with rosacea and 65 without. They analyzed the correlation between systemic comorbidities and severity of rosacea in patients when compared to controls. Read more

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.

“While it’s one case, we anticipated the successful treatment of this patient based on our current understanding of the disease and how the drug works,” researcher Brett A. King, MD, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, said in a press release. Read more

Bovine-derived collagen xenograft increased rate of second-intention wound healing time

Researchers found that the addition of bovine-derived collagen xenograft improves secondary-intention healing in patients with postoperative scalp defects involving an exposed calvarium, according to a recent study.

Megan N. Rogge, MD, and colleagues evaluated 11 patients with calvarium-exposed wounds who received bovine-derived collagen xenografts. Read more

FDA grants orphan drug status to Humira for treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

AbbVie announced that the FDA has granted orphan drug designation to Humira for treating moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa.

The supplemental biologic license application by Abbvie seeking the agency’s approval for the use of Humira (adalimumab) in patients with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (Hurley Stage II and Hurley Stage III disease) is being reviewed by the FDA, according to a press release. Read more

Enrollment begins in Keytruda, ImmunoPulse IL-12 phase 2 melanoma trial

OncoSec Medical announced enrollment has begun in a phase 2 trial, led by University of California, San Francisco, of the company’s ImmunoPulse IL-12 and Keytruda (pembrolizumab, Merck) in patients with unresectable melanoma, according to a press release.

“There is increasing evidence that tumors need to be inflamed to have [tumor infiltrating lymphocytes] in order of anti–PD-1 therapies to be effective,” Mai H. Le, MD, chief medical officer of OncoSec, said in the release. Read more