Kybella study, Pfizer-Allergan merger talks top dermatology reads for week

Study results reporting that men treated with Kybella in phase 3 trials had a reduction in submental fat and were satisfied with treatment was the most read-article of the past week on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other widely read articles included Allergan and Pfizer confirming discussions of a possible merger and study results finding that Botox was an effective, long-lasting treatment for HIV-positive patients with posterior cheek enlargement:

Kybella found to be effective, satisfactory in men in analysis of phase 3 trials

CHICAGO — Men treated with Kybella in two phase 3 trials had a reduction in submental fat and were satisfied with the treatment, according to study results presented at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery annual meeting.

“The post-hoc analysis of the Refine-1 and Refine-2 trials showed that men got very good results, just like women did” researcher Vince Bertucci, MD, told Healio.com. Read more

Vitiligo associated with survival in patients receiving Keytruda for metastatic melanoma

The onset of vitiligo may be associated with clinical benefit in patients with metastatic melanoma who were treated with Keytruda, according to study results recently published in JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers in France conducted a prospective study of patients with metastatic melanoma from Jan. 1, 2012 to Sept. 24, 2013, at the Cancer Campus of Gustave Roussy Institute. Read more

Patients with atopic dermatitis may have slightly increased lymphoma risk

Patients with atopic dermatitis had a slightly increased risk of lymphoma, with the severity of atopic dermatitis a potentially significant risk factor, according to study results.

Researchers conducted a systematic literature review using the Cochrane, PubMed and Scopus databases to identify articles published between 1980 and Feb. 28, 2014, that investigated lymphomarisk in patients with atopic dermatitis. Twenty-three of the 3,979 articles identified met study criteria. Read more

Allergan, Pfizer confirm discussions over potential merger

Allergan announced that it has been approached by Pfizer and is in preliminary discussions regarding a potential business combination transaction, according to a press release.

“No agreement has been reached and there can be no certainty that these discussions will lead to a transaction, or as to the terms on which a transaction, if any, might be agreed,” Allergan stated in the release. Read more

Botox effective in treating posterior cheek enlargement in HIV-positive patients

Botox was found to be an effective, long-lasting treatment for HIV-positive patients with posterior cheek enlargement, according to recently published results of a pilot study.

Alastair Carruthers

“Posterior cheek swelling is a characteristic and stigmatizing finding in some HIV-positive individuals,” researcher Alastair Carruthers, MD, FRCPC, told Healio.com/Dermatology. “It can be significantly reduced by injecting botulinum toxin A into the area.” Read more