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Kaitlyn Bader is the assistant managing editor of 

 and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in June 2022. She attended Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in literary studies with minors in creative writing and film studies. Prior to health care news, Kaitlyn worked in industrial marketing. She enjoys cooking, reading, and tending to her house plants.

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Catch up on coverage from the first day of the 2025 European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology Congress held in Paris, France.

EADV 2025: Day 1 Recap

Maddi Hebebrand is an associate editor of 

and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in May 2024. She attended Baldwin Wallace University, studying Media Production and Film, and received her Masters in Digital Media from Ohio University. When she's not writing, Maddi loves to read, attend concerts and spend time with her family. 

At the 2025 EADV Congress in Paris, phase 3 ICONIC-ADVANCE data showed icotrokinra outperformed deucravacitinib in moderate to severe psoriasis.

Icotrokinra Outperforms Deucravacitinib in Psoriasis Phase 3 Trials

Marie Bosslett is the assistant editor of 

 and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in October 2024. She attended Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with minors in marketing and writing. When she’s not writing, Marie enjoys going to concerts, reading on the beach, and spending time with friends and family.

A new study at EADV 2025 links atopic dermatitis to increased suicidal ideation, highlighting the condition's severe psychological impact.

Global Study Links Atopic Eczema to Increased Risk of Suicidal Ideation

The trial presented at EADV 2025 confirmed that icotrokinra’s efficacy is consistent with injectable IL-23 inhibitors while offering an oral option.

Oral IL-23 Blocker Shows Durable Psoriasis Control at 1 Year

Dermatology Times connects dermatology professionals with key skin disorder coverage, therapeutic strategies, clinical trial updates, and expert insights.

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Final Thoughts: The Importance of Comparative Studies in AD

Panelists offer concluding insights and emphasize the critical role of comparative studies in advancing atopic dermatitis treatment strategies.

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Phothera recently announced that Cigna has updated its coverage policy

 to remove prior restrictions on home phototherapy, effective July 15, 2025. The decision expands access for Cigna’s 19.2 million covered individuals nationwide, allowing eligible members with psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo to pursue at-home treatment without the burden of coverage limitations.

The policy shift follows a similar move by Elevance Health/Anthem, which provides coverage for 47.5 million individuals. With both Cigna and Elevance now offering unrestricted coverage, more than 66.7 million insured Americans have expanded access to home phototherapy. This noninvasive treatment has been shown to achieve clearance or significant improvement in up to 80% of patients.

The implications are significant for patients and clinicians alike. In the US, approximately 8 million individuals live with psoriasis, more than 16 million with eczema, and an estimated 6.5 million with vitiligo. Many of these patients require ongoing phototherapy to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life. Expanded insurance coverage can help reduce barriers to care, particularly for patients who struggle with access to in-office treatments requiring 2 to 3 visits per week.

Financial considerations also play a key role. According to Phothera, these coverage decisions lower patient out-of-pocket costs by up to 90% and may reduce reliance on costly biologic drugs by enabling earlier intervention. For insurers, home phototherapy offers a cost-effective alternative, reducing annual treatment expenses by thousands of dollars per patient² when compared with systemic and biologic therapies.

) highlights the value of home-based care, finding that home phototherapy provides equivalent efficacy to office-based treatment, approximately 3 times higher adherence, and the convenience of eliminating frequent clinic visits.

Launched in 2019 and concluding in December 2023, the LITE study enrolled 783 patients across 42 dermatology practices in the United States. The study was an investigator-initiated, pragmatic, open-label, parallel-group, multicenter, noninferiority randomized clinical study, with special emphasis on patient feedback. Additionally, the study is the “result of a long-standing collaboration” between Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE; Kristina Callis Duffin, MD, MS; and the National Psoriasis Foundation.

“Traveling to obtain home phototherapy creates a significant barrier to getting treatment, even if they live a short distance away—people simply cannot leave home, work, or school for 2 hours 3 times per week. It’s not surprising that study participants assigned to the home phototherapy arm, who could use the device in their own home without driving or paying a co-pay each time, were less likely to miss treatments,” Duffin told 

At baseline in the LITE study, the mean Physician Global Assessment score was 2.7, and the mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score was 12.2. At week 12, a total of 129 patients (32.8%) receiving home-based phototherapy and 100 patients (25.6%) receiving office-based phototherapy achieved clear/almost clear skin, and 206 (52.4%) and 131 (33.6%) achieved a DLQI score of 5 or lower, respectively.

Craig Stout, president of Phothera, emphasized the importance of the change: “With both Cigna and Elevance now on board, this is a watershed moment for dermatologic care. Millions more patients can now receive proven, effective treatment in the comfort of their own home, without unnecessary cost or access barriers. We remain committed to ensuring cost is never a barrier to treatment, working directly with insurance providers for coverage and offering financial assistance to eligible patients.”

For dermatology clinicians, the expanded payer support may encourage broader integration of home phototherapy into treatment algorithms, particularly for patients with chronic inflammatory or pigmentary disorders requiring long-term disease management.

Cigna expands coverage for home phototherapy — no restrictions. News release. Phothera. August 20, 2025. Accessed September 10, 2025. 

https://www.phothera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cigna-Expands-Coverage-for-Home-Phototherapy-—-No-Restrictions.pdf

Gelfand JM, Armstrong AW, Lim HW, et al. Home- vs office-based narrowband UV-B phototherapy for patients with psoriasis: the LITE randomized clinical trial. 

. 2024;160(12):1320-1328. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.3897

Cigna has removed prior restrictions on home phototherapy, expanding access for 19.2 million covered individuals with conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo. This follows a similar move by Elevance Health, collectively benefiting over 66.7 million insured Americans. Home phototherapy is cost-effective, reducing patient expenses and reliance on biologics. The LITE Study supports its efficacy and higher adherence compared to office-based treatment. This policy change is expected to enhance dermatologic care, encouraging broader integration of home phototherapy into treatment plans for chronic inflammatory and pigmentary disorders.

Cigna’s removal of restrictions on home phototherapy, following a similar decision by Elevance Health, expands access to more than 66 million Americans.

Cigna Expands Coverage for Home Phototherapy

New research has analyzed the use of oral corticosteroids and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors following noncultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES) transplantation in patients with vitiligo.

 At 6 months post transplantation, both methods had similar repigmentation rates but differing patterns of response. This transplantation method, which utilizes an autologous skin graft from a patient’s inner thigh, has gained popularity due to its broad applicability and simplicity.

The single-center, retrospective, observational study included 12 participants between the ages of 18 and 42 years (4 women and 8 men). The mean age was 27.25 years. All had stable vitiligo for at least 1 year, but overall disease duration ranged from 2 to 24 years (mean = 8.75 years). The NCES transplantation procedure occurred at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in China between June 2023 and December 2024. Prior to transplantation, participants were unsuccessfully treated with a combination of topical corticosteroids and/or phototherapy with narrowband UVB. These therapies were discontinued for at least 6 months before undergoing NCES.

A total of 36 lesions from 7 patients were treated with oral methylprednisolone (0.5 mg/kg), whereas 34 lesions from 5 patients were treated with extended-release upadacitinib (15 mg once a day). Regarding the total lesions, 15 were on the face (21.43%), 20 on the trunk (28.57%), 21 on the limbs (30.00%), and 14 on the distal extremities (20.00%). Treated area ranged from 24 cm

. Efficacy and safety were assessed via a 6-month follow-up period. Repigmentation rates were calculated based on improvement in body surface area, whereas treatment effectiveness was evaluated based on Vitiligo Area Scoring Index.

Both groups saw similar mean rates of repigmentation at the 6-month mark (63.11 ± 30.69%). In total, 8 patients achieved repigmentation rates above 50%, and 5 participants achieved 75%. Patients treated with upadacitinib saw a more polarized pattern (repigmentation rate: 61.28 ± 32.38%). In this group, 38.2% (13/34) of lesions showed 25% to 50% improvement, 47.0% (16/34) showed more than 90% improvement, and only 2.9% showed less than 25% or 51% to 75% improvement.

“This suggests that, similar to their conventional use in vitiligo treatment, JAK inhibitors may not achieve ideal repigmentation in all patients in the postoperative setting but may exert enhanced effects in a subset of ‘sensitive’ individuals,” the authors wrote.

Patients treated with corticosteroids saw a more uniform pattern (repigmentation rate: 64.42 ± 31.99%). More specifically, 25.0% (9/36) of lesions showed less than 25% improvement, 25.0% (9/36) showed 51% to 75% improvement, and 22.2% (8/36) showed more than 90% improvement.

Better responses occurred in the face and trunk vs the acral areas, particularly in the corticosteroid group (

 < .0001). Moreover, JAK inhibitors were effective in typically treatment-resistant areas, such as the limbs (

 = .0001). The distal extremities responded relatively poorly in both cohorts. This is consistent with what was observed in previous research, according to the authors.

No serious adverse events or laboratory abnormalities were observed in either cohort. Approximately 4 patients experienced minor hypertrophic scarring, hyperpigmentation, and/or acne, making the overall incidence of adverse effects low.

Several study limitations were present, including the retrospective design, small sample size, short follow-up, no control group, and lack of random assignment for the treatment cohorts. Future research can address these with larger, prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled studies. Despite this, the preliminary evidence demonstrated in this trial can aid in developing individualized immunomodulatory strategies, thus supporting the use of certain postoperative drugs in patients with vitiligo.

1. Zhang Y, Xu Y, Cui W, et al. Observational study on postoperative JAK inhibitor and corticosteroid therapy following non-cultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation in stable vitiligo patients. 

2025;36(1):2540014. doi:10.1080/09546634.2025.2540014

2. Vakharia PP, Lee DE, Khachemoune A. Efficacy and safety of noncultured melanocyte-keratinocyte transplant procedure for vitiligo and other leukodermas: a critical analysis of the evidence.

2018;57(7):770-775. doi:10.1111/ijd.13895

New research evaluates the efficacy of oral corticosteroids and JAK inhibitors following non-cultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES) transplantation in vitiligo patients. Both treatments showed similar repigmentation rates at six months, with differing response patterns. The study involved 12 participants with stable vitiligo, treated at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. JAK inhibitors showed enhanced effects in certain patients, while corticosteroids had a more uniform response. Better outcomes were observed on the face and trunk. No serious adverse events were reported, though minor side effects occurred in some patients.

New findings reveal the effectiveness of corticosteroids and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors post noncultured epidermal suspension (NCES) transplantation for vitiligo, highlighting varied repigmentation responses.

Comparing Corticosteroids vs JAK Inhibitors Post NCES Transplantation for Vitiligo

Traditional therapeutic strategies for vitiligo, including narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy, topical corticosteroids, and topical calcineurin inhibitors, frequently provide only temporary benefits, with relapse rates approaching 40% within 1 year of discontinuation. This limitation has prompted the investigation of new, targeted treatments such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.

A recent real-world study published in the 

 evaluated the effectiveness and safety of ruxolitinib cream 15 mg/g in adults with nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV). Although previous phase 3 randomized trials established the efficacy of topical ruxolitinib in repigmentation, this retrospective analysis offers valuable insight into outcomes under routine clinical practice conditions.

The single-center study was conducted at the Allergology and Clinical Immunology Unit of Bari Polyclinic in Italy, and included 50 adult patients with NSV. Eligibility required vitiligo involvement of 0.5% to 10% body surface area and facial lesions. Patients underwent diagnostic screening to exclude comorbid autoimmune conditions or contraindications to JAK inhibition. All participants applied ruxolitinib cream twice daily for 12 weeks.

Baseline characteristics reflected a population with a median disease duration of 10 years. Most patients (74%) had Fitzpatrick skin type III, and 38% reported comorbid autoimmune disease, most commonly thyroid disorders. Previous therapies included topical corticosteroids (28%), calcineurin inhibitors (20%), NB-UVB phototherapy (26%), and other modalities.

Treatment response was assessed using the Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI), Total Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (T-VASI), and the Vitiligo Noticeability Scale (VNS).

After 12 weeks of therapy, significant improvements were observed, including the following:

Median F-VASI decreased from 1.0 to 0.34 (

 < .001), with 40% of patients achieving at least a 75% reduction (F-VASI75).

Median T-VASI decreased from 2.09 to 0.95 (

A notable proportion of patients (24%) reported meaningful repigmentation on the VNS.

Additionally, researchers stated that quality-of-life measures improved substantially. Median Dermatology Life Quality Index scores dropped from 7 to 2, and Vitiligo Quality-of-Life scores decreased from 54 to 25, highlighting the psychological benefit of visible repigmentation.

The investigators also examined changes in alexithymia, a psychological construct associated with difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions, which has been linked to skin disease burden. Significant reductions were recorded across all Toronto Alexithymia Scale domains after 12 weeks, suggesting that improvement in skin appearance may alleviate emotional distress and enhance self-perception.

Ruxolitinib cream was well tolerated. No severe adverse events were reported, and patients did not require treatment discontinuation. The findings align with the favorable safety profile observed in prior clinical trials, consistent with the drug’s minimal systemic absorption.

This study supports the real-world effectiveness of ruxolitinib cream for NSV, confirming results from controlled clinical trials and demonstrating meaningful repigmentation within 3 months. The rapid onset of benefit, coupled with improvements in psychosocial well-being, underscores the therapy’s potential value in routine practice.

However, the authors note limitations, including the retrospective design, small sample size, and relatively short observation period. Larger and longer-term studies are needed to assess the durability of response, optimal treatment duration, and potential long-term risks.

Topical ruxolitinib cream demonstrated significant improvements in repigmentation, quality of life, and emotional well-being among adults with NSV in a real-world clinical setting. These results strengthen the evidence base for JAK inhibition as a novel therapeutic approach to vitiligo and highlight the importance of addressing both physical and psychological aspects of the disease.

Cavalié M, Ezzedine K, Fontas E, et al. Maintenance therapy of adult vitiligo with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. 

. 2015;135(4):970-974. doi:10.1038/jid.2014.527

Cristallo M, Zaza I, Daddato MF, et al. Effectiveness and safety of ruxolitinib cream 15 mg/g in patients with non-segmental vitiligo: a real-life study. 

. Published online September 1, 2025. doi:10.1111/ijd.70049

Traditional vitiligo treatments often yield temporary benefits, prompting exploration of targeted therapies like JAK inhibitors. A study evaluated ruxolitinib cream's effectiveness in non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) patients, showing significant repigmentation and quality-of-life improvements. Conducted in Italy, the study involved 50 adults applying the cream for 12 weeks. Results indicated notable reductions in vitiligo area scores and enhanced psychological well-being. Ruxolitinib was well tolerated, with no severe adverse events. Despite limitations, findings support ruxolitinib's potential in routine practice, emphasizing the need for further research on long-term effects.

Forty percent of participants achieved at least a 75% reduction in facial vitiligo scores.

Topical JAK Inhibitor Shows Rapid Repigmentation in NSV

Cabtreo (Ortho Dermatologics; formerly known as IDP-126) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration

 (FDA) in October 2023 for the treatment of patients aged 12 years and older with acne vulgaris. Cabtreo is the first FDA-approved fixed-dose triple-combination gel (clindamycin 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1%) for patients with acne. Cabtreo is expected to be available in Q1 of 2024.

, more than half (52.5%) of patients treated with Cabtreo achieved treatment success as measured by a 2-point or greater reduction from baseline in Evaluator’s Global Severity Score and clear or almost clear skin. In the first of the phase 3 trials, the proportion of patients treated with Cabtreo achieving clear or almost clear skin (49.6%) was significantly greater than patients being treated with a vehicle gel (24.9%). The second phase 3 trial demonstrated consistent significant rates of treatment success among Cabtreo- treated patients (50.5%) versus patients in the vehicle gel group (20.5%).

What are your thoughts about Cabtreo as the newest acne topical? Email us at 

Cabtreo, a fixed-dose triple-combination gel, received FDA approval in October 2023 for treating acne vulgaris in patients aged 12 and older. It combines clindamycin, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide, marking the first such approved formulation. Clinical trials demonstrated its efficacy, with over half of the patients achieving significant improvement in acne severity. Phase 3 trials showed Cabtreo's superiority over a vehicle gel, with nearly 50% of patients achieving clear or almost clear skin. Cabtreo is anticipated to be available in the first quarter of 2024.

Click here to answer this week's acne poll.

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POLL: Have Your Patients Asked About Cabtreo for Acne?

While late-night browsing through TikTok videos, I can’t help but notice all the different skin care trends that seem to capture the hearts and minds of patients looking for options to treat their various skin ailments. Whether it be a new Korean sunscreen or a French retinol cream, it seems like there is always something new out there to consider. Even as someone who practices dermatology, it can often be difficult to determine if any of these types of products hold water. However, a notable one of recent that caught my eye was hypochlorous acid. 

Hypochlorous acid is an antimicrobial acid made of hydrogen, oxygen, and chlorine found naturally in the human body. The production of hypochlorous acid in the body is stimulated by the white blood cells to fight off bacteria and infection in the skin. In the last few years, this notorious acid made its way to the headlines as a lethal cleaning agent in fighting off the COVID-19 virus. With its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s no wonder that this ingredient has recently found its way into the conversation of acne-prone and other forms of skin care. 

The question is, how is an acid powerful enough to serve as a cleaning reagent also gentle enough to be used as a skin care ingredient? The answer to this question lies in the origin of its production. Because hypochlorous acid is a natural byproduct of our body’s immune system, it is actually tolerated very well by sensitive skin types. 

What are the Benefits of Hypochlorous Acid? 

When it comes to treating acne, one of the key mechanisms to address is fighting off bacteria on the skin that can clog the pores and cause acne flares. As an antimicrobial, hypochlorous acid works effectively to kill off bacteria, speed up wound healing, and repair damage on the skin. 

However, the benefits of hypochlorous acid are not just limited to the treatment of acne. Through its ability to combat inflammation on the skin, it is also a valuable ingredient in the treatment of other dermatological conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and other dermatoses. Additionally, hypochlorous acid can help with itch reduction as well as treating flaking and redness on the skin. 

Where Does Hypochlorous Acid Fit Into Skin Care for Patients? 

Hypochlorous acid is typically formulated as a spray. The best part about facial sprays is their ability to quickly absorb into the skin and also their convenience for on-the-go use. One of my favorite ways to incorporate hypochlorous acid into a skin care routine is as a facial mist right after a workout. What better way to kill off any potential bacteria on the skin after sweating your face off at a hot yoga session? Its lightweight formula also works well as a facial spray directly after washing your face before applying other topical serums or creams. 

What are the Adverse Effects of Hypochlorous Acid? 

As with any product, even ones intended for sensitive skin types, hypochlorous acid may cause irritation, redness, itching, or dryness when applied to the skin. I always advocate for cautious use when incorporating new products into a routine, to start low and slow. Typically, I recommend starting a new product once or twice a week and gradually increasing its use as tolerated. 

Hypochlorous acid appears to be a valuable ingredient in the treatment and prevention of various dermatological conditions such as acne and certain inflammatory disorders. I wouldn’t be surprised if it became more integral in how we as providers address these types of conditions. 

With hypochlorous acid, formulation is key. I always advise patients to pay attention to ingredients in their products such as alcohol or other skin irritants. Typically, hypochlorous acid is formulated with only water and sodium chloride. As with most approaches, sometimes simpler is better! 

, is a board-certified dermatology physician assistant practicing at The Dermatology Specialists in New York, NY. 

What is hypochlorous acid? And why should you use it? Cleveland Clinic. August 2, 2021. Accessed March 1, 2024. 

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/hypochlorous-acid-skin-care

Lenzi M. Why you should add hypochlorous acid to your skin care routine, according to derms. 

. February 20, 2024. Accessed March 1, 2024. 

https://www.realsimple.com/hypochlorous-acid-8547964

As someone who practices dermatology, it can often be difficult to determine if any of these new skin care trends are efficacious. 

Craig Blanchfield, CFA

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