Patients with severe acne exceeding recommended antibiotic duration was week's top dermatology read

Study results finding that antibiotic treatment for patients with severe acne who eventually received isotretinoin exceeded the recommended duration was the most read-article of the past week on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other widely read articles included research showing that women treated with cryolipolysis experienced posttreatment pain and a study reporting risk factors for nevus-associated melanoma:

Antibiotic treatment duration for severe acne exceeded recommendations

Antibiotic treatment for patients with severe acne who eventually received isotretinoin exceeded the recommended duration, according to recently published study results.

“Our study suggests that physicians need to recognize within weeks, not months, when patients are failing to respond to antibiotic therapy in cases of severe acne,” researcher Seth Orlow, MD, PhD, of New York University Langone Medical Center, said in a press release. Read more

Delayed posttreatment pain occurs with cryolipolysis

Women treated with cryolipolysis experienced delayed posttreatment pain, according to recently published study results.

Tina Alster

“While cryolipolysis has become a popular and generally well-tolerated treatment for noninvasive destruction of unwanted subcutaneous fat, delayed posttreatment pain is not an uncommon side effect,” researcher Tina Alster, MD, told Healio.com/Dermatology. “Its risk is greatest in young women undergoing abdominal cryolipolysis.” 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

Many nevi, but lower melanoma risk associated with nevus-associated melanoma

Patients with more than 100 nevi and with an otherwise low risk for melanoma had a higher risk of developing nevus-associated melanomas, according to recently published study results.

Researchers conducted a prospective, observational study of 832 patients at high risk for melanoma. They documented melanoma risk factors, clinical and dermoscopic criteria of excised lesions and results of histopathologic examination. 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 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