FDA approval of Taltz for psoriasis tops dermatology reads for week

The FDA’s approval of Taltz injection for treating moderate-to-severe psoriasis in adults was among the most-read articles of the past week on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other widely read articles included study results finding that titanium dioxide nanoparticles were observed in dermal layers after sunscreen application:

FDA approves Taltz for treating psoriasis in adults

The FDA has approved Taltz injection for treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy, according to a press release from Eli Lilly and Company.

“The approval of Taltz [ixekizumab] is an important advancement that provides dermatologists a new option that may help their patients achieve virtually clear or completely clear skin,” Paul Yamauchi, MD, PhD, of the Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center in Santa Monica, California, and an ixekizumab trial researcher, told Healio.com/Dermatology. Read more

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles observed in dermal layers after sunscreen application

Researchers found limited evidence that repetitive application of sunscreen with titanium dioxide provides a layer of deep dermal penetration, but suggest that further studies are needed, according to recent data.

“Our findings depend on selected ‘regions of interest,’ which does not allow a detailed quantitative assessment of dermal penetration of TiO2 nanoparticles,” Sergio G. Coelho, PhD, from the Laboratory of Cell Biology of the National Cancer Institute, NIH, in Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues wrote. Read more

VIDEO: Amy J. McMichael, MD, reviews new topical treatment for hair loss

WASHINGTON – In a video perspective, Amy J. McMichael, MD, discusses research she reviewed on qilib, a new over-the-counter topical treatment for hair loss.

The qilib hair care line (Galderma Laboratories) uses a solution formulated with botanicals, including an onion extract as its active ingredient, in conjunction with 2% minoxidil for women and 5% minoxidil for men. Watch video

VIDEO: Ethnic considerations in features of facial aging

WASHINGTON — In a video perspective from the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, discusses ethnic considerations in features of facial aging.

Alexis, chairman of the department of dermatology, Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai West, and director of the Skin of Color Center, New York, highlighted his presentation at the "Aging Gracefully" symposium. Watch video

VIDEO: Noninvasive imaging for early skin cancer diagnosis

WASHINGTON – In a video perspective, Orit Markowitz, MD, discusses using noninvasive imaging for early skin cancer diagnosis.

Markowitz, assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, directed an advanced dermoscopy course and a focus session on optimal coherence tomography at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting. Watch video

Valeant announces CEO succession plan, financial update

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International announced in a press released that it has initiated a search for a new CEO to succeed J. Michael Pearson and has made changes to its board of directors.

Pearson will continue to serve as CEO and a director until a replacement is appointed, according to the release. Read more