Award-Winning AAD Posters Highlight Emerging Therapies

New data presented at this year’s American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting highlight evolving strategies in skin cancer prevention, inflammatory disease modification, and complex medical dermatology. Across a diverse group of award-winning posters, investigators leveraged large datasets and specialty clinic cohorts to address clinically relevant gaps—from melanoma chemoprevention to systemic therapy selection in psoriasis and safety considerations in immunocompromised populations.¹

“This 2026 annual AAD Poster exhibition is poised to be the biggest, the most expansive and educationally diverse program in recent years with a record breaking 2300+ abstract submissions,” said AAD poster exhibit chair and Dermatology Times editorial advisory board member Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD. “Make sure not to miss the oral presentations, many of which are from budding dermatology hopefuls (aka medical students). Cheer them on and celebrate this overall scholarly milestone for the AAD.”

1st Place: Nicotinamide for Melanoma Prevention

In a large Veterans Affairs cohort study of more than 30,000 patients with prior skin cancer, oral nicotinamide was associated with a meaningful reduction in melanoma risk. Patients receiving 500 mg twice daily experienced a 25% lower incidence of melanoma compared with matched controls, with the strongest effect observed when therapy was initiated after one to three nonmelanoma skin cancers. The reduction appeared limited to invasive melanoma, with no significant effect on melanoma in situ. While prior studies have established nicotinamide’s role in preventing keratinocyte carcinomas, these findings suggest a potential extension of benefit into melanoma prevention in high-risk populations.²

“Our study suggests that nicotinamide may be an accessible and effective chemopreventive strategy for melanoma, particularly for primary prevention and invasive melanoma,” lead investigator Katlyn Knox, BA, told Dermatology Times.

2nd Place: IL-23 Inhibitors and Psoriatic Arthritis Risk

A real-world analysis using the TriNetX Research Network evaluated whether biologic selection in psoriasis influences the development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). After rigorous propensity matching, IL-23 inhibitors—specifically risankizumab, guselkumab, and ustekinumab—were associated with the lowest 3-year risk of PsA compared with TNF-α, IL-17, and JAK-targeting agents. Although causality cannot be established, the data support the hypothesis that early, targeted cytokine inhibition may alter disease trajectory. For clinicians, these findings may inform therapeutic decision-making in psoriasis patients with risk factors for PsA.³

“Our study found that IL-23–targeting therapies, including risankizumab, guselkumab, and ustekinumab, were associated with the greatest reduction in psoriatic arthritis risk, highlighting their potential to help prevent disease progression in patients with psoriasis,” Madelyn Schmidt, BS, primary author of the poster told Dermatology Times.

3rd Place: Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus/Lichen Planus Overlap

Investigators behind this poster highlighted a distinct and underrecognized overlap between vulvar lichen sclerosus and erosive vulvovaginal lichen planus in a tertiary referral cohort. Among 13 patients identified, all exhibited vaginal involvement, and the mean age at diagnosis was later than typically observed for either condition alone. Concomitant mucocutaneous disease—including oral lichen planus and lichen planopilaris—was common. The rate of differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia was notably higher than expected, suggesting an increased malignant potential. A substantial proportion of patients required systemic therapy, emphasizing the need for early recognition, comprehensive evaluation, and individualized management of this overlap phenotype.⁴

"Our work highlights an underrecognized overlap between vulvar lichen sclerosus and lichen planus with important implications for diagnosis and management,” lead author Makenna Chapman, BS, told Dermatology Times. “Recognizing this overlap syndrome can help clinicians identify disease earlier and ultimately improve care for women with vulvar disease."

4th Place: Topical 5-Fluorouracil in Immunocompromised Patients

In the setting of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a multicenter retrospective study evaluated the safety and efficacy of topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with and without calcipotriene. Across 269 treatment courses, both regimens were well tolerated, with low rates of local adverse events and no evidence of treatment-induced graft-versus-host disease flares. 5-FU alone demonstrated high efficacy, particularly for squamous cell carcinoma in situ, while combination therapy yielded lower-than-expected response rates. These findings support the cautious use of topical field therapy in immunocompromised patients.⁵

“Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (allo-HSCT) recipients are at increased risk of actinic keratoses and keratinocyte carcinomas, for which topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and topical 5-fluorouracil/calcipotriene (5-FU/calcipotriene) may be potential treatments. These topical agents induce cutaneous inflammation and it is currently unknown whether this localized inflammation can provoke cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a common complication after stem cell transplantation,” co-senior author Connie SHi, MD, told Dermatology Times. “Our study found very low rates of cutaneous GVHD flares at sites of topical 5-FU or 5-FU/calcipotriene use, which is relevant to dermatologists managing actinic keratoses and skin cancers in stem cell transplant recipients.”

Co-senior author Lauren Guggina, MD, agreed with Shi, adding: “Overall, I think our study will help to give clinicians reassurance that using topical 5-fluorouracil or 5-fluorouracil with calcipotriene is low risk for flaring cutaneous graft versus host disease in the post HSCT population.”

Honorable Mention: Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Pregnancy Outcomes

A large meta-analysis examining pregnancy outcomes in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) found increased risks of hypertensive disorders, cesarean delivery, and preterm birth compared with unaffected pregnancies. No significant differences were observed in rates of preeclampsia or stillbirth. Given the high burden of comorbidities in HS, these results reinforce the need for multidisciplinary care and proactive risk assessment during pregnancy.⁶

“Our findings highlight that HS in pregnancy is not merely a dermatologic condition, but a potential marker of increased maternal risk. By demonstrating higher rates of hypertensive disorders, cesarean delivery, and preterm birth, this work underscores the need for a more integrated and multidisciplinary approach to care,” primary author Karine Matos de Albuquerque, MS, told Dermatology Times. “Ultimately, it helps bridge an important gap in evidence and supports more informed counseling for both clinicians and patients.”

Conclusion

Collectively, these studies reflect a continued shift toward data-driven, preventive, and personalized dermatologic care. From expanding indications for established agents like nicotinamide to refining biologic selection and recognizing high-risk clinical phenotypes, the findings offer practical insights that may influence both everyday practice and future research directions.

References

1. Poster awards announced — see them in Denver! News release. American Academy of Dermatology. Published March 9, 2026. Accessed March 27, 2026. https://www.aadmeetingnews.org/2026-aad-annual-meeting/article/22961630/poster-awards-announced-see-them-in-denver
2. Knox K, Breglio K, Weiss R, Mass K, Yao L, Wheless L, Hartman R. Nicotinamide exposure for melanoma prevention. Poster presented at: AAD 2026; March 27-31, 2026; Denver, CO. https://eposters.aad.org/s3/AM2026/poster/73232/Nicotinamide+Exposure+for+Melanoma+Prevention.pdf
3. Schmidt M, Dowdle T, Golovko G, Munoz A. Comparative risk of psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients on immunomodulators. Poster presented at: AAD 2026; March 27-31, 2026; Denver, CO. https://eposters.aad.org/s3/AM2026/poster/71957/Comparative+risk+of+psoriatic+arthritis+in+psoriasis+patients+on+immunomodulators.pdf
4. Chapman M, Etcheverry M, Kraus C. Characterizing vulvar lichen sclerosus-lichen planus overlap:
   a clinical subtype with implications for diagnosis, surveillance, and management. Poster presented at: AAD 2026; March 27-31, 2026; Denver, CO. https://eposters.aad.org/s3/AM2026/poster/71348/Characterizing+Vulvar+Lichen+Sclerosus-Lichen+Planus+Overlap+A+Clinical+Subtype+with+Implications+for+Diagnosis+Surveillance+and+Management.pdf
5. Sakunchotpanit G, Ezzeddine F, Serwald G, Shabbir A, Guggina L, Shi C. Topical 5-fluorouracil and topical 5-fluorouracil/calcipotriene in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients: safety and efficacy. Poster presented at: AAD 2026; March 27-31, 2026; Denver, CO. https://eposters.aad.org/s3/AM2026/poster/76919/Topical+5-Fluorouracil+and+Topical+5-FluorouracilCalcipotriene+in+Allogeneic+Stem+Cell+Transplant+Recipients+Safety+and+Efficacy.pdf
6. Matos de Albuquerque K, Medeiros Visentini L, Luiza Rodrigues Defante M, Oliveira Fonseca L, Villa Bella Meirelles A, Augusto Araujo Silva P, Barros de Deus Nunes Junior E. Adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with hidradenitis suppurativa: systematic review and meta-analysis. Poster presented at: AAD 2026; March 27-31, 2026; Denver, CO. https://eposters.aad.org/s3/AM2026/poster/73335/Adverse+Pregnancy+Outcomes+in+Women+with+Hidradenitis+Suppurativa+Systematic+Review+and+Meta-Analysis.pdf