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Pruritis possibilities narrowed
July 1st 2005Boston — Determining which mediators are released in different inflammatory conditions may help dermatologists find the most effective way to treat itch, according to John Ansel, M.D. Researchers are making progress to understanding the pathophysiology of pruritus and applying it to patients, but both areas continue to require additional study, he adds.
Staying current with medical dermatology research
July 1st 2005San Francisco — Keeping up with new developments in medical dermatology requires vigilance and time, especially because study results are published in so many different journals. To help dermatologists stay abreast of research, John H. Epstein, M.D., presented at the Pacific Dermatologic Association meeting in Newport Beach, Calif. He synopsized various papers that have been published in the last two years in journals other than the Archives of Dermatology, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Keeping herpes infections contained
July 1st 2005Houston — Dermatologists need to urge patients with herpes infections to take a nucleoside analog drug daily to prevent the transmission of genital herpes, according to Stephen Tyring, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., professor of dermatology, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston.
CoQ10 shows promising anti-tumor activity
July 1st 2005Results from in vitro and preclinical in vivo studies suggest that topically applied coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has exciting potential as a safe and effective anti-tumor agent for treating and preventing recurrence of skin cancer as well as other types of malignancies, say researchers from the department of dermatology and cutaneous surgery, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
Oracea phase 3 clinical trials show 'highly significant' results
July 1st 2005Newtown, Pa. — CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals announces the "highly significant" positive outcomes of two phase 3, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Oracea for the treatment of rosacea.
New cell harvesting system 'more efficient,' Isologen says
July 1st 2005Exton, Pa. — Isolagen, which specializes in the development and commercialization of autologous cellular therapies for tissue regeneration, has designed an automated cellular expansion system (ACE) to propagate and harvest cells more efficiently and cost-effectively than other cell harvesting systems currently available.
Clinical investigator, trial totals declining
July 1st 2005National report — An apparent decline in the total numbers of U.S. principal investigators (PIs) and clinical trials could impact drug availability and, ultimately, the pharmaceutical industry's ability to innovate, according to a recent study.
Keeping dermatology 'all in the family'
July 1st 2005It's not unusual today for plastic surgeons and dermatologists to share a practice, nor is it uncommon for husbands and wives to practice together, but 30 years ago when Saida and Sherwood Baxt began their dermatology/plastic surgery practice they were a rare breed — virtually unique, in fact. Still, it was a move they found to be a wonderful experience for them and beneficial for their patients. It doesn't hurt when the team is a mutual admiration society, either.
Non-melanoma skin cancer options growing
July 1st 2005Vienna, Austria — Until recently, physicians had few nonsurgical options for treating nonmelanoma skin cancer. That could be changing, however, as researchers learn more about photodynamic therapy (PDT) and newer pharmaceuticals, as well as new uses for older drugs.
Dermatologists give insights, advice to improve quality of patient care
July 1st 2005Providing quality medical care has always been the primary goal of most physicians, but in the past 15 years, they have faced unprecedented challenges in running their practices effectively and efficiently while keeping patients as their top priority.
Trial reveals benefits of excimer laser on early-stage mycosis fungoides
June 1st 2005New Orleans — Mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, has been most commonly treated in its early stages with skin-directed therapies such as topical corticosteroids, nitrogen mustard, UVB, PUVA and total skin electron beam irradiation. More recently, dermatologists have begun using narrow-band UVB with a spectrum peak of 311 nm as an alternative treatment for early-stage MF.
Ciclopirox shampoo eases seborrheic dermatitis
June 1st 2005Antipityrosporal 1 percent ciclopirox shampoo can be used weekly or once every two weeks to treat seborrheic dermatitis and prophylactically to prevent its recurrence, according to a study published in the Archives of Dermatology in January.
Cortisol testing demonstrates systemic safety, efficacy for AD
June 1st 2005San Diego — The lipid enhanced, emollient cream formulation of hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1 percent (Locoid, Ferndale) effectively treats moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in children and does so with excellent systemic safety, at least when used over a period of up to four weeks, said Lawrence F. Eichenfield, M.D., at the Pediatric Dermatology for the Practitioner Meeting here.
For oral diseas tx, manage dry mouth
June 1st 2005New Orleans — Xerostomia can complicate the diagnosis and management of various oral diseases and is an important condition to recognize and treat, said Susan L. Zunt, D.D.S., M.S., at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, here.