News

Lubbock, Texas - Dermatologists are now at the point where they like to repair and reconstruct the wounds they create in the treatment of skin cancer, according to David F. Butler, M.D.

The recent news that a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is well on its way to being a reality has dermatologists pricking up their ears. The vaccine, which is in development by Merck & Co. to target HPV-16, could facilitate a 40-percent reduction of intraepithelial cancer of the cervix within 10 years of widespread distribution to women and men, according to Ulrich R. Hengge, M.D., department of dermatology, University of Essen, Germany. More importantly to dermatologists who see histologically benign recalcitrant vaginal warts every day, the science behind the HPV-16 vaccine is virtually the same as that behind similar investigational therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines for condylomata.

Acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, hyperhidrosis, trichotillomania, onychotillomania, neurotic excoriations ... Even as connections between isotretinoin (Accutane) and depression in teens was hotly debated in the media spotlight last year, no one denies the powerful connection between the health of the psyche and that of the skin.

Pittsburgh -Topical tacrolimus ointment 0.1 percent (Protopic) may be a viable addition to the current therapeutic armamentarium for early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), Larisa Geskin, M.D., said.

Asni?ress, France - The amount of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) filtering is as important as labeled sun protection factor (SPF) levels in determining the effectiveness of sunscreens, according to Andr?ougier, Ph.D. However the UVA blocker he prefers most, Mexoryl, remains unavailable in the United States as it awaits FDA approval.

Pusan, South Korea -- Intralesional interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A) can be a useful option for the treatment of rapidly growing keratoacanthomas, Chang-Keun Oh, M.D., Ph.D., said.

Paris - Citing ease of application and time savings as the key advantages, Jean-Marie Lachapelle, M.D., characterized Allerderm's T.R.U.E. Test as "a step forward in the technology of patch testing that ensures an optimal penetration and delivery of allergens through the skin."

Baltimore -- The immunosuppressant agent mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) should be considered the steroid-sparing drug of choice in the management of pemphigus, according to Daniel Mimouni, M.D.

Sandusky, Ohio - Tacrolimus 0.1 percent ointment can treat a subset of patients with granuloma annulare (GA), according to a study conducted at Northern Ohio Dermatology Research in Sandusky, Ohio. The phase IV, open-label, single-center, clinical trial was conducted by Mandi R. Motter, R.N., clinical research coordinator, Thomas E. Fleming, M.D., principal investigator, and colleagues.

Stanford, Calif. - Conjugation of cyclosporin A to arginine oligomer protein transduction sequences provides a promising method for delivery of the peptide immunosuppressant agent into psoriatic skin. However, further study is needed to characterize the cutaneous bioavailability achieved with that novel delivery platform and to answer the larger question of whether topical cyclosporin A offers a viable therapeutic modality for psoriasis, according to David F. Fiorentino, M.D., Ph.D.

Birmingham, Ala. - Topical azelaic acid 15 percent gel (Finacea) is more effective than metronidazole gel 0.75 percent for improving erythema and reducing inflammatory lesion counts in patients with mild to moderate papulopustular facial rosacea, according to the results of a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel comparative trial.

Louisville, Ky. - A drug indicated for the treatment of periodontal disease appears to have efficacy equivalent to conventional oral therapy for rosacea but with virtually none of the side effects.

Chicago - Many dermatologists believe botulinum toxin works to relieve headaches, but the jury is still out on the toxin's true therapeutic benefits.

Washington -- Artecoll, a new item in the increasingly broad array of permanent and semipermanent nonsurgical wrinkle-reduction options, on Feb. 28 took a big step toward FDA approval.

Local places of interest

As the number of new dermatologic procedures and laser treatments grows, more and more patients are seeking out the rewards of cosmetic dermatology. With these technological advances comes an increasing need for effective topical anesthesia. Recently, two esteemed cosmetic dermatologists, Ch?rie Ditre, MD, and Mark G. Rubin, MD, participated in a teleconference to discuss the merits of pain mitigation in the procedures they perform.

A teleconference sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from Ferndale Laboratories Inc.

San Francisco - Most recipients of botulinum toxin type A (Botox Cosmetic) injections to soften or even remove facial wrinkles are currently women. But according to University of California-San Francisco dermatologist Christopher B. Zachary, M.D., males also benefit from this therapy, and removing certain facial wrinkles and furrows may provide benefits beyond just a handsome face.

Research presented here by Luis A. Diaz, M.D., establishes conclusively that herpes gestationis (HG), also known as pemphigoid gestationis, is a true organ-specific autoimmune disease unique to pregnancy.

Paris - Polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP), also known as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), is the most common of all the specific dermatoses of pregnancy, with a reported incidence of approximately one in every 120 pregnancies.

Columbia, Mo. - With fewer than 10,000 dermatologists serving a population of more than 2.9 billion people, there's no question that less-than-adequate access to dermatologic services isn't solely a women's issue.

Paris - Researchers at Jefferson Medical College are developing cutting edge techniques to attack the increased biosynthesis that appears to cause accumulation of collagen characteristic of scleroderma and particularly of a subset of the disease known as progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), Jouni Uitto, M.D., Ph.D., chair, department of dermatology and cutaneous biology, said here at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Paris - Topical medications should often be considered as first-line therapy in the treatment of vulval diseases because they are effective, easy to use, and fast-acting, according to Annarosa Virgili, M.D.

Toronto - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may be linked to acne in adult women, but its prevalence in these women and the specifics of which of these women may need more extensive work-ups and referrals are still largely an unknown.

Grand Wailea Resort, Hawaii - A therapy using microdermabrasion in combination with triple skin lightening creams has promise as an innovative treatment for melasma, according to Wendy E. Roberts, M.D., who will present on the topic this month at the 27th Hawaii Dermatology Seminar on the island of Maui.

Paris - In women with chronic hair loss, biopsy to diagnose androgenetic alopecia is a useful method for predicting patients likely to respond to oral antiandrogen therapy, Rodney Sinclair, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology meeting.

Chicago - Tumescent liposuction performed as a sole procedure is a safe and effective technique for achieving limited breast reduction in females, Murad Alam, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

New York - Researchers have identified a molecular biomarker that was shown in a study to predict survival in melanoma patients, independently of tumor thickness and other known prognostic indicators.

Paris - Combination immunotherapy for psoriasis is coming into the clinic. Experience is showing it can be a valuable strategy for increasing efficacy while minimizing toxicity, both acutely and potentially over the longer term, Christopher E.M. Griffiths, M.D., said at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Sacramento, Calif. - A multipass technique using a longer interval between pulses may offer new opportunities for therapeutic benefits when treating vascular lesions with a pulsed dye laser, Emil A. Tanghetti, M.D., said.