Peter Lio, MD

Panelists discuss how dermatologists should expand their therapeutic scope beyond traditional steroids and calcineurin inhibitors to embrace newer nonsteroidal options, while emphasizing that treating pediatric atopic dermatitis requires the same principles as adult care and encouraging broader provider participation, including pediatricians, to address access challenges.

Panelists discuss how future therapies should aim to provide faster symptom relief than the current 4- to 8-week timeframe, offer longer-lasting depot effects requiring less frequent application, and accelerate the regulatory process for extending safe adult medications to younger pediatric populations.

At Elevate-Derm Fall, Peter Lio, MD, discussed how flexible clinical reasoning and an expanding therapeutic pipeline, particularly hidradenitis suppurativa and atopic dermatitis, are reshaping patient management heading into 2026.

At the Elevate-Derm Fall Conference, Peter Lio, MD, highlighted practical strategies for corticosteroid stewardship, the expanding role of nonsteroidal topicals, and emerging opportunities in early-age indications that are reshaping pediatric inflammatory dermatoses care.

Panelists discuss how comprehensive caregiver education forms the foundation of successful treatment, involving dispelling internet misinformation, demonstrating proper application techniques like fingertip units, addressing steroid fears, and establishing realistic expectations about long-term management rather than seeking quick cures.

Panelists discuss how they determine when to escalate to systemic therapies by focusing on patient-reported outcomes rather than clinical appearance alone, asking about flare frequency and typical vs bad days, while emphasizing the importance of continuing topicals alongside systemics with potential for future de-escalation.

Panelists discuss how twice-daily dosing represents the biggest adherence challenge and how simplifying regimens from multiple location-specific medications to single versatile treatments significantly improves adherence, with once-daily formulations being much more manageable for busy families.

Panelists discuss how roflumilast demonstrated 25% Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) success at 4 weeks in the Integument PED trial with impressive long-term results showing 73% Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) achievement at 56 weeks, while highlighting its excellent tolerability profile with no black box warning, no folliculitis, and minimal stinging compared with previous phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors.

Panelists discuss how tapinarof showed strong efficacy in the Adoring trials, with 45% to 46% Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) success and 55% to 60% Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) achievement at 8 weeks. However, they question real-world adherence to daily application over such extended periods and note folliculitis as a notable adverse effect occurring in over 5% of patients.

Panelists discuss how ruxolitinib cream demonstrated impressive efficacy in the TRU83 trial, with over 50% of patients achieving near-complete clearance at 8 weeks using the 1.5% formulation, while acknowledging that the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor’s broad mechanism makes its effectiveness unsurprising despite concerns about the boxed warning.

Peter Lio, MD, believes that collaboration between science and industry is vital for translating research into meaningful patient benefits.

Discover essential dermatology insights from experts at the Fall Clinical Conference 2025, featuring innovative treatment tips and patient care strategies.

Recent FDA approvals for topical roflumilast and ruxolitinib down to age 2 mark major milestones in managing pediatric AD, according to Peter Lio, MD.

Panelists discuss how they incorporate both steroids and nonsteroidals from the initial visit by limiting steroid use to 1 to 2 weeks followed by long-term nonsteroidal maintenance, while noting the need for more vehicle formulations and lower age indications to better serve younger patients with limited treatment options.

Panelists discuss how extensive body surface area involvement in pediatric patients affects topical prescribing decisions, with high coverage areas often requiring systemic therapy consideration. They also discuss how location-specific factors like sensitive areas (face, groin) influence the choice toward nonsteroidal agents over topical steroids.

Peter Lio, MD, describes Fall Clinical as an energizing, high-level dermatology meeting focused on practical takeaways and collaboration.

Panelists discuss how the current topical standard of care has evolved from traditional topical steroids developed in the 1960s to include newer nonsteroidal options like ruxolitinib (Janus kinase [JAK] inhibitor), roflumilast (phosphodiesterase-4 [PDE4] inhibitor), and tapinarof (aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist), with steroids now serving as bridge treatments rather than long-term maintenance therapy.

Panelists discuss how atopic dermatitis presents differently across pediatric age groups. Infants show lesions on cheeks and extensor surfaces, whereas older children develop more typical flexural patterns. They also discuss how the condition significantly impacts the quality of life for patients and caregivers through sleep disruption, school performance issues, and ongoing parental stress.

Major unmet needs in pediatric AD include rapid itch relief, access, affordability, and better options for sensitive skin.

Discover insights from Peter Lio, MD, on precision medicine in pediatric atopic dermatitis and the promising role of ruxolitinib at the RAD 2025 Conference.

Peter Lio, MD, discusses innovative treatments for pediatric atopic dermatitis, including microbiome therapies and botanical options.

While dietary changes can help slightly, they’re not a cure-all for most patients with AD.

Untreated or undertreated AD can lead to poor sleep, infections, and stunted development.

Current JAK inhibitors are approved only for those 12 and older, leaving younger patients without access.

In the first Derm Dispatch episode, Renata Block, MMS, PA-C, and Peter Lio, MD, discuss integrative approaches to managing eczema, including the use of holistic treatments.

Lio shared insights on minimizing pain in dermatologic procedures, highlighting practical techniques from his AAD 2025 presentations.

Lio emphasizes that patient comfort and understanding are essential for successful treatment outcomes.

A balanced approach to dermatologic care involves using steroids for flare-ups and switching to non-steroidal options for maintenance.

Explore the disease progression of atopic dermatitis and strategies to make a difference in patients' lives.