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A retrospective five-year safety and efficacy study of a new PMMA filler shows a low risk of adverse events and a trend toward continued improvement over the entire five-year follow-up period, says a researcher involved with the study.

Dermatologists commonly turn to a variety of depigmenting agents and therapies for the treatment of melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne, or traumatic scars and burns, according to Helen M. Torok, M.D., Medical Director, Trillium Creek Dermatology & Surgery, in Medina, Ohio.

A phase 2 study investigated the safety and efficacy of topical bexarotene 1 percent gel (Targretin, Eisai/Ligand) for treating alopecia areata. Hair regrowth of 50 percent or greater was achieved by 26 percent of patients.

Seven newly identified sites of common DNA variations increase the risk for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The whole genome association study of more than 300,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was published in the March issue of PLoS Genetics. The goal was to identify new genes and new pathways for drug development.

The Food and Drug Administration has been revamping sunscreen safety labeling since the implementation of the final monograph was delayed in 2002. Last August, the FDA issued proposed guidelines for the product labels, with a comment period open until November, 2007. The deadline for comment was extended until late December, and as of May first no new guidelines had been announced.

San Diego - Artes Medical, makers of Artefill, has announded that Douglas Abel, chief executive officer and president of Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, has joined its board of directors, according to Business Wire.

Toronto, Canada - The Dermatology Review Panel (DRP) of Canada has announced three of Pampers babycare products have earned their recommendation and will carry their "Seal of Approval," newswire.ca reports.

Washington - The Associated Press reports that though diagnoses of Merkel cell carcinoma have tripled to about 1,500 a year, there have been no well-controlled studies on the best treatment.

Graz, Austria - Though complete skin examination (CSE) by dermoscopy takes longer to conduct than CSE alone when screening for skin cancer, physicians should consider three-minute screening for the disease with either method, according to the results of a study reported by MedScape Today.

Houston - Data from a large cohort study shows that an elevated level of interleukin-12 is associated with a significantly increased mortality risk in patients with stage III melanoma with regional metastasis, according to MedPageToday.

A phase 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled study shows remarkable efficacy of etanercept for treating pediatric psoriasis, bettering even those results observed in adults. The findings could help pave the way for Food and Drug Administration approval of the biologic, which could change the face of systemic treatment of psoriasis in children.

Newer biologics to treat psoriasis are currently in late stages of development, and promising data from phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials should give patients reason to hope. The biologics may be available as early as the end of 2008 or during 2009.