FDA action, vitiligo study top dermatology reads for week

The FDA’s acceptance of Aclaris Therapeutics’ new drug application for A-101 40% topical solution for potential treatment of seborrheic keratosis was among the top read articles of the past week on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other widely-read articles included study results finding that patients with facial vitiligo experienced significant repigmentation after treatment with topical ruxolitinib 1.5% cream:

FDA accepts new drug application for topical treatment of seborrheic keratosis

Aclaris Therapeutics announced that the FDA has accepted its new drug application for A-101 40% topical solution for potential treatment of seborrheic keratosis.

If approved, it would be the first FDA-approved topical medication for treating the common skin condition, according to a news release from Aclaris. Read more

Topical ruxolitinib provides repigmentation in patients with facial vitiligo

Patients with facial vitiligo experienced significant repigmentation after treatment with topical ruxolitinib 1.5% cream, according to study results.

The researchers conducted a 20-week, open-label, proof-of-concept study at Tufts Medical Center in Boston of 11 patients (54.5% men; mean age, 52 years) with a minimum of 1% affected body surface are of vitiligo. Read more

Dermatologists infrequently diagnose syphilis

Although the incidence of syphilis has been rising in the United States, dermatologists may infrequently diagnose the disease, according to a retrospective review of cases in Rhode Island published in JAMA Dermatology.

“In 2015, the Rhode Island Department of Health reported that the number of statewide cases of syphilis had increased by 79% from prior years,” Jack. P. Cossman, MD, and John B. Fournier, MD, of the department of dermatology at Roger Williams Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island, wrote. “In fact, nationwide, the incidence of syphilis has been rising alarmingly in the 21st century, prompting the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to update screening recommendations in 2016.” Read more

Xeljanz treatment of alopecia areata shows varied efficacy

Xeljanz was a successful treatment for patients with alopecia areata; however, the efficacy varied widely, according to study results recently published in JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers conducted a retrospective medical review between May 1 and June 1, 2016, using Cleveland Clinic medical records to identify 13 patients with alopecia areata who were being treated with Xeljanz (tofacitinib, Pfizer). Read more

Storage of partially used hyaluronic acid carries some contamination risk

Storing partially used hyaluronic acid gel fillers after the initial patient injection carried a small risk of contamination, according to study results in Dermatologic Surgery.

“After tissue augmentation procedures, the remaining continent of filler syringes are commonly used for a retouch after a few weeks or for re-treatment, when the augmentation effect begins to subside after many months,” Mohammed Al-Haddab, MD, of the dermatology department at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and colleagues wrote. Read more