News

Data from two large, phase 4 trials indicate that long-term, intermittent, once-daily therapy with tacrolimus ointment is an effective treatment for pediatric patients with stabilized atopic dermatitis, Docguide.com reports.

New Brunswick, N.J. ? A Johnson & Johnson-funded patient study suggests that J&J?s experimental drug ustekinumab was more effective at treating psoriasis than Amgen?s Enbrel, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Results of a recent study show that 68 percent of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis experienced improvement in scalp psoriasis within the first 12 weeks of treatment with efalizumab, Docguide.com reports.

Keraderm, which develops phototherapy treatments for infections, has announced it will introduce a $100 phototherapy treatment for onychomycosis in 2009, upon completion of current pivotal trials and pending marketing clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), PRNewswire reports.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that a blood cancer drug may cause a serious skin reaction in some patients, the Dow Jones Newswire reports.

Syneron Medical Ltd., based here, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Matrix RF applicator for use in dermatological procedures requiring skin ablation and resurfacing, CNNMoney.com reports.

French pharmaceutical company Ipsen says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not complete its first-cycle review of Ipsen?s botulinum toxin type A product Dysport until the end of the year, Reuters reports.

National report - The news is bright for the Women’s Dermatologic Society’s Play Safe in the Sun campaign.

Greensboro, N.C. - Jack Britts, who was previously a pharmaceutical executive at Sepracor and AstraZeneca PLC, has been named President and CEO of Merz Pharmaceuticals, according to dbusinessnews.com.

Bedford, Mass. - Anika Therapeutics has signed an agreement with Canderm Pharma, a skincare company in Canada, to distribute and market Elevess throughout Canada, BusinessWire reports.

Known for decades for his dedication to dermatology, Oswald Lightsey Mikell, M.D., was named 2008 Dermatologist of the Year by the South Carolina Dermatology Association.

In Part 1 of this article, published in Dermatology Times last month, we explained that physician families have substantially greater liability risk and retirement challenges than do so-called "average American" families. This segment will focus on tax, investment and insurance issues that affect physicians; mistakes that doctors make; and suggestions for avoiding pitfalls.

Inflation reminds me of termites: It gradually eats away from the inside of your financial portfolio - unnoticed and silent. Left alone, it can cause major structural damage, even total collapse.

Industry experts estimate that as many as 20 percent of all claims for services are returned to physicians without payment.

While the full promise of EHR systems has yet to become reality, an expert offers shopping tips for finding the best available system for your practice.

Artifacts in Mohs slide preparation typically stem from problems with microtome blades, microtome adjustments or cryostat temperatures, an expert says.

The development of non-melanoma skin cancer is a common sequela of the high doses of immunosuppressive medications that organ transplant recipients receive. A recent study shows that low-dose systemic retinoids can significantly decrease these patients' susceptibility to develop skin cancers (such as squamous cell carcinoma) in the long term.

In the absence of industrywide standards for electronic medical records, an expert advises carefully matching system costs, benefits and capabilities with the distinctive needs of one's practice.

There are several topical therapies that dermatologists can choose from for the treatment of actinic keratosis.

A recent study shows that a daily low-to-moderate dose of caffeine and regular exercise may very well prevent skin cancers before they occur, in part by promoting the death of sunlight-damaged precancerous cells.

Gene, molecular and cell-targeted therapies are under investigation for the treatment and prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancers, and some of these modalities may be available for clinical use soon. Recent and forthcoming advances in imaging are also enhancing tumor visualization and surgical planning.

An expert says dermatologists must be careful not to overlook or misdiagnose four aggressive skin cancers whose incidence rates are rising - lentigo maligna, atypical fibroxanthoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and high-risk squamous cell carcinoma.

When choosing among temporary, semipermanent and permanent dermal fillers, increased longevity may also mean increased risks, an expert says.

The abundant array of cosmetic creams on the market can be a source of confusion for consumers. Categorizing products by function provides a method for understanding their ingredients and benefits.

Many new techniques are being used to reshape the body. Fractional lasers require much less downtime than other lasers, and electromagnetic radiation has presented a new direction for treating varicose veins, making stripping and ligation a less popular treatment option.

Options for off-face resurfacing include ablative treatments, nonablative treatments, photo- dynamic therapy and fractional ablative treatments, an expert says.

Laser-assisted hair removal, photorejuvenation and laser treatment of acne and atrophic scars can now be offered to patients with skin of color. However, it is still important to proceed with caution because all risks are not eliminated with newer technologies.

Choosing appropriate treatments for nonablative facial rejuvenation requires that dermatologists understand the pathophysiology of photoaging, according to an expert.

Despite several manufacturers' claims that they have developed hair conditioners that replace 18-MEA after chemical processing, once that protective layer is damaged, it is permanently destroyed, an expert says.