Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI

The panel explores how to differentiate CSU from chronic inducible urticaria and acute urticaria, including the potential for overlap between subtypes.

The panel examines how to distinguish CSU from other urticaria subtypes, how to approach angioedema, and how limited—or expansive—the diagnostic workup should be.

The panel reviews the first patient case—a 38-year-old woman with recurrent hives and intermittent swelling—highlighting the key clinical criteria that clinch a CSU diagnosis.

The panel reflects on dermatology's evolving role in CSU, from limited options and reluctance to a new era of empowered, effective disease management.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, co-chair of RAD 2026, highlighted new AD science, type 2 inflammation insights, and emerging therapies—helping clinicians translate immunology advances into better patient care.

New findings from LEO Pharma reveal chronic hand eczema affects 1 in 10 adults, highlighting the need for improved recognition and management in dermatology.

Panelists discuss how OX40-pathway therapies may serve as first-line treatments after topicals due to their promising efficacy and safety profiles, though questions remain about optimal patient selection, long-term safety, and predictive biomarkers.

Panelists discuss how multiple OX40 pathway–targeted drugs are in development, including rocatinlimab (anti-OX40, cell depleting) and amlitelimab (anti-OX40L, nondepleting), both showing promising phase 2/3 results with potential for sustained responses.

Panelists discuss how OX40 pathway–targeted therapies may benefit specific patient subsets with particular immunologic profiles and could potentially modify the disease course when used early, although patient selection criteria remain unclear.

Panelists discuss how the OX40-OX40L costimulatory pathway represents a promising upstream target for atopic dermatitis treatment by modulating T-cell survival, expansion, and memory formation rather than targeting downstream cytokines. Panelists discuss how targeting the OX40-OX40L pathway could potentially provide broader therapeutic effects across multiple T-cell subsets and offer more durable responses than current cytokine-specific or JAK inhibitor approaches.

Panelists discuss how the OX40-OX40L costimulatory pathway represents a promising upstream target for atopic dermatitis treatment by modulating T-cell survival, expansion, and memory formation rather than targeting downstream cytokines.

A panelist highlights emerging therapies such as phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) and topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors that target shared inflammatory pathways across skin diseases, emphasizing their potential to simplify and improve seborrheic dermatitis management with safer, more convenient options and a promising pipeline of treatments on the horizon.

Panelists discuss how atopic dermatitis involves complex T-cell–mediated immune dysfunction beyond just Th2 pathways, with antigen-presenting cells driving naive T-cell activation and differentiation into multiple T-cell subsets that produce various inflammatory cytokines.

Panelists discuss how atopic dermatitis exhibits tremendous heterogeneity in clinical presentation, disease course, symptom variability, environmental triggers, and underlying immunologic and genetic factors that contribute to the challenge of developing one-size-fits-all treatments.

A panelist discusses a case of moderate seborrheic dermatitis in a 34-year-old African American woman, emphasizing the need for individualized, culturally sensitive treatment plans that accommodate hair type and styling preferences, illustrating how an intermittent ketoconazole shampoo regimen aligned with her routine led to symptom improvement.

Panelists discuss how despite recent therapeutic advances in atopic dermatitis treatment, significant unmet needs remain including partial responses, lack of long-term stable control, and the need for broader patient response rates and deeper clearance levels.

A panelist presents a case of severe, chronic facial seborrheic dermatitis in a young man, highlighting diagnostic challenges and emotional impact, and illustrating how daily use of a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor foam led to near-clearance and symptom relief by 8 weeks, underscoring the therapy’s effectiveness, safety, and adaptability to patient preferences.

A panelist presents a case of severe seborrheic dermatitis in a young man with facial and scalp involvement, demonstrating how a once-daily, foam-based phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor provided rapid, complete clearance and itch relief, highlighting the importance of efficacy, cosmetic acceptability, and quality-of-life considerations in treatment selection.

A panelist highlights the evolution of seborrheic dermatitis treatment from traditional antifungals and corticosteroids to newer nonsteroidal options such as phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors, emphasizing the importance of aligning therapy with patient preferences, lifestyle factors, and long-term disease management needs to improve adherence and outcomes.

A panelist discusses the diverse clinical presentation and complex pathophysiology of seborrheic dermatitis, emphasizing the need for individualized, location-specific treatment strategies and highlighting how emerging therapies may help address overlapping features with other chronic inflammatory skin conditions.

Explore innovative strategies for managing chronic hand eczema, focusing on personalized care, early treatment, and understanding complex subtypes for better outcomes.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, discussed his approach to personalizing treatment dosing plans with adult patients based on skin clearance and therapeutic type at RAD 2025.

Co-chairs Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, and Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, gave insight into what attendees can look forward to at this year's meeting.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, discusses how IL-13 and IL-31 inhibitors represent distinct yet complementary mechanisms in the management of atopic dermatitis.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, reviews the limitations of chronic steroid use and highlights available topicals, including ruxolitinib, roflumilast, and tapinarof.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, provides insights on the clinical advantages of JAK inhibitors for atopic dermatitis.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, reviews the benefits of Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis as a disease-specific conference.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, discusses his approach to diagnosing and treating chronic hand eczema.

At AAD 2025, Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, explored the role of social determinants in AD, HS, and PsO, emphasizing the need for improved clinical recognition and inclusive research.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, discusses how early-career dermatologists can gain the most benefit from this year’s annual meeting.