Five recent developments in pediatric dermatology

The FDA approval of Amgen’s supplemental biologics license application for expanded use of Enbrel for treating pediatric patients with chronic plaque psoriasis was among recent developments reported on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other developments included research finding that treatment with Xeljanz in adolescents with alopecia areata resulted in significant hair regrowth for the majority of the patients:

FDA approves Enbrel to treat children with plaque psoriasis

The FDA has approved Amgen’s supplemental biologics license application for expanded use of Enbrel for treating pediatric patients aged 4-17 years with chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, according to a press release from the drug’s manufacturer.

The FDA’s action makes Enbrel (etanercept) the first and only systemic therapy to treat pediatric patients with the condition, according to the release. Read more

Xeljanz shows promise as treatment for alopecia areata in adolescents

Treatment with Xeljanz in adolescents with alopecia areata resulted in significant hair regrowth for the majority of the patients, with mild adverse events, according to recently published study results.

Brent A. King

Brent A. King, MD, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, and colleagues studied 13 adolescent patients (median age 15 years; 77% male) with alopecia areata treated with Xeljanz (tofacitinib, Pfizer) between July 2014 and May 2016 at a tertiary care center clinic. Read more

Wide variation exists in prescribing practices of systemic agents for pediatric atopic dermatitis

A survey of physicians in the United States and Canada found that there is great variation in prescribing practices of systemic agents to treat atopic dermatitis, according to results published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Researchers developed an online multiple response survey to collect information on demographics, clinical practice data, systemic agent selection and barriers to systemic medication use for patients with recalcitrant pediatric atopic dermatitis. Read more

Single-application treatment shows efficacy in head lice egg elimination

SAN FRANCISCO — Abametapir, a novel metalloproteinase inhibitor, was found to completely inhibit lice eggs from hatching after single a 10-minute application in a clinical trial, according to a poster presentation at the 2016 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition.

“Current treatments for head lice may lack ovicidal activity, requiring two treatments 7 to 10 days apart to eliminate all hatched lice,” Vern Bowles, PhD, chief scientific officer and director of egg cell research at Hatchtech Pty Ltd., reported. Read more

Second Genome, King's College London study eczema, food allergies in infants

Second Genome has announced it is partnering with King’s College London to conduct microbiome profiling and analysis for a study in eczema and food allergies in young children.

The Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) study, is the largest randomized and controlled study of food allergy prevention to date and will investigate skin and gut microbiota of more than 300 infants at multiple points during the first year of life, according to a press release. Read more