Articles by James Song, MD, FAAD

Panelists discuss how inhibition of IL-17 in psoriasis treatment significantly improves quality of life by reducing inflammation, skin lesions, itching, and pain. Patients report better psychological well-being, increased social confidence, and improved daily functioning as inflammatory pathways are interrupted.

Panelists discuss how IL-17 inhibitors are biologics that target the inflammatory cytokine IL-17 pathway. They demonstrate rapid onset of action, with measurable improvement in most patients within 2 to 4 weeks and peak efficacy by 12 to 16 weeks. They achieve high rates of skin clearance in psoriasis patients and maintain efficacy with long-term use.

Panelists discuss how to implement and maintain appropriate laboratory monitoring protocols when prescribing oral JAK inhibitors, ensuring patient safety through regular assessment of key clinical parameters.

Panelists discuss how health care providers can effectively communicate the benefits and risks of JAK inhibitors to patients with atopic dermatitis while addressing safety concerns and establishing realistic treatment expectations.

Panelists discuss how IL-17 inhibitors differ in their targets within the IL-17 pathway. Secukinumab and ixekizumab block IL-17A, reducing inflammation in psoriasis and arthritis. Brodalumab inhibits IL-17RA, affecting multiple IL-17 cytokines, but carries suicide risk warnings. Bimekizumab targets IL-17A and IL-17F, potentially enhancing efficacy but with added risk of infections. These differences impact efficacy, safety, and patient selection in inflammatory diseases.

Panelists discuss how IL-17 is a key pro-inflammatory cytokine in plaque psoriasis pathogenesis. It stimulates keratinocyte proliferation, promotes neutrophil recruitment, induces antimicrobial peptides, and up-regulates other inflammatory mediators, creating a self-perpetuating inflammatory cascade in lesional skin.

Panelists discuss how clinicians can interpret and apply the JAK inhibitor class boxed warning to make informed treatment decisions while weighing potential risks against therapeutic benefits for individual patients.

Panelists discuss how JAK inhibitors demonstrate significant efficacy in treating atopic dermatitis while examining their safety profiles and optimal positioning within the therapeutic landscape.

Panelists discuss how varying degrees of JAK selectivity in targeted therapies affect treatment outcomes, safety profiles, and therapeutic decision-making in atopic dermatitis management.

Panelists discuss how the JAK-STAT signaling pathway mediates inflammatory responses in atopic dermatitis, influencing disease progression and providing a key therapeutic target for treatment.

Panelists discuss how clinicians can choose the most appropriate systemic treatment for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis by evaluating patient characteristics, comorbidities, and therapeutic goals while considering the latest clinical evidence.

Panelists discuss how physicians can achieve optimal atopic dermatitis management by following American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) guidelines for systemic therapy selection while considering individual patient factors and treatment goals.

Panelists discuss how clinicians can evaluate the severity of atopic dermatitis through comprehensive assessment of symptoms, quality-of-life impact, and treatment response to guide decisions about transitioning patients to systemic therapy.

James Song, MD, FAAD, discusses how improving patient adherence to atopic dermatitis treatments requires addressing barriers such as cost, treatment complexity, and patient education, while highlighting how emerging therapies and simplified regimens may help overcome these challenges in the future.

A panelist discusses how the current treatment options for atopic dermatitis range from topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors for mild cases to systemic medications such as dupilumab and Janus kinase inhibitors for moderate-to-severe disease, with selection based on factors such as disease severity, patient age, and safety considerations.

James Song, MD, FAAD, discusses how recent advancements in atopic dermatitis treatment include targeted biologics and Janus kinase inhibitors that offer promising alternatives to traditional therapies for patients with moderate-to-severe disease.

James Song, MD, discusses how clinical trial data demonstrates the risk-benefit profile of vitiligo therapies, with particular focus on balancing potential adverse effects of Janus kinase inhibitors against their proven efficacy in achieving repigmentation.

James Song, MD, discusses how Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors represent a breakthrough in vitiligo treatment by effectively targeting the immune pathways responsible for depigmentation, offering patients a powerful new therapeutic option with promising repigmentation results.

James Song, MD, discusses how recent advances in vitiligo treatment, including Janus kinase inhibitors and targeted immunotherapies, are transforming the therapeutic landscape with more effective options for repigmentation and disease management.

Song shared top clinical tips at Fall Clinical, covering alopecia areata, refractory dermatoses, and novel non-steroidal topicals.

James Song, MD, shares a comprehensive guide to what is new, what is now, and what is next in AD treatment.

James Song, MD, explains combination treatment efficacy, addresses comorbidities, and provides pearls to improve patient safety.

James Song, MD, addressed current challenges in the AD treatment landscape and compared biologics.

James Song, MD, discusses the current treatment landscape, genetic and immunological influences, and the role of oral minoxidil in alopecia areata.

An expert in dermatology presents the case of a 23-year-old male patient presenting with unstable vitiligo. He delves into treatment options available for managing this condition, shedding light on the nuances and optimal scenarios for each therapeutic agent.

James Song, MD, FAAD, presents the case of a 14-year-old male patient seeking vitiligo treatment. He emphasizes the significance of addressing mental health concerns alongside managing the physical symptoms of this condition. He further discusses possible approaches to treat the patient's depigmented patches, particularly considering that this patient was diagnosed with segmental vitiligo.