Top five dermatology stories in June include alopecia, Keytruda studies

Study findings that platelet-rich plasma in combination with 5% minoxidil solution showed efficacy in hair regrowth for patients with androgenetic alopecia compared with the combination with oral finasteride, was among the top read articles in June on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other widely-read articles included case-report study findings that Keytruda was associated with eruptive keratoacanthomas in three patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma or metastatic melanoma, and the FDA’s public warning of unapproved versions of Juvéderm:

Platelet-rich plasma shows efficacy in combination treatment for androgenetic alopecia

Platelet-rich plasma in combination with 5% minoxidil solution showed efficacy in hair regrowth for patients with androgenetic alopecia compared with the combination with oral finasteride, according to study results published in Dermatologic Surgery.

Researchers studied 25 patients with androgenetic alopecia (13 females; mean age, 39.9 years). Read more

Variation seen in number of stages per case of Mohs micrographic surgery

There was a marked variation in the number of stages per case of Mohs micrographic surgery of head and neck, genitalia, hands and feet skin cancers, according to study results published in JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers used Medicare Part B claims data to conduct a retrospective analysis between 2012 and 2014 of 2,305 individual billing physicians (66.8% male) who received Medicare payments for performing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Read more

Keytruda treatment may be associated with eruptive keratoacanthomas

Keytruda therapy was associated with eruptive keratoacanthomas in three patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma or metastatic melanoma, according to study results published in JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers conducted a case report study of three patients with metastatic skin cancer (mean age, 83 years; two men and one woman) who were treated with Keytruda (pembrolizumab, Merck) and developed eruptive keratoacanthomas. Read more

DaxibotulinumtoxinA shows greater efficacy, response duration vs. Botox

Injectable daxibotulinumtoxinA, an investigational botulinum toxin Type A, showed superior efficacy and duration of response in certain doses over Botox and placebo at treating glabellar lines, according to study results published in Dermatologic Surgery.

Jean Carruthers, MD, of the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, and colleagues conducted a phase 2, dose-ranging, double-blind, multicenter study at nine private settings in Canada. Read more

FDA warns of unapproved versions of Juvéderm

The FDA announced it has updated its dermal fillers website to include a public warning about unapproved versions of Juvéderm, including Juvéderm Ultra 2, 3, or 4, which are being sold and distributed illegally in the United States.

Juvéderm (hyaluronic acid, Allergan) should only be injected and sold by or on the prescription of a licensed health care provider, the FDA reported in a press release. Read more