Journal Digest: June 10, 2026

Dermatologic Therapy | COVID-19 Outcomes and Vaccination Response Among Patients With Psoriasis Receiving Biologics

A large retrospective cohort study of 12,306 patients with psoriasis evaluated COVID-19 infection rates, disease severity, and vaccine responses among individuals receiving biologic therapy compared with those not treated with biologics. During the pandemic period (March 2020–May 2023), estimated SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were similar between biologic-treated and nonbiologic patients (70.0% vs 67.5%), suggesting biologic therapy did not increase susceptibility to infection. Although hospitalization rates were higher among biologic-treated patients, ICU admission rates were comparable between groups, and mortality was significantly lower in patients receiving biologics (6.3% vs 12.1%). COVID-19 vaccination uptake was high in both groups, with more than 90% completing a primary vaccine series. Breakthrough infection rates were similar regardless of biologic use. While patients receiving TNF inhibitors demonstrated slightly lower postvaccination antibody titers than those treated with IL-17 or IL-23 inhibitors, all biologic classes achieved robust antibody responses above protective thresholds. These findings provide reassurance that biologic therapies can be safely continued in patients with psoriasis without increasing COVID-19 risk or significantly impairing vaccine effectiveness.¹

Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research | Preclinical and Virtual Models of Mucosal Melanoma: Bridging Translational Gaps in a Rare and Lethal Cancer

This review examined the current landscape of preclinical and computational models used to study mucosal melanoma, a rare but highly aggressive subtype, and highlights opportunities to improve translational research. The authors describe several laboratory models, including traditional cell lines, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), organoids, and genetically engineered mouse models. While each offers unique advantages, no single model fully captures the tumor heterogeneity, immune microenvironment, and molecular complexity of mucosal melanoma. Emerging technologies such as 3D organoids and humanized mouse models may better replicate disease behavior and treatment responses. The review also explores the growing role of virtual tools, including artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, and computational modeling, in identifying therapeutic targets, predicting drug responses, and accelerating drug development. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing research efforts aimed at improving outcomes in this challenging malignancy. By integrating advanced laboratory and digital models, investigators may be better equipped to develop personalized therapies and address the significant unmet needs of patients with mucosal melanoma.²

Journal of Dermatological Treatment | Unveiling the IL-17 axis: an immunometabolic bridge between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome

Another review highlights the emerging role of interleukin (IL)-17 as a key immunometabolic link between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome, two conditions that frequently coexist and amplify one another’s disease burden. The authors describe how IL-17, a central cytokine in psoriasis pathogenesis, also contributes to insulin resistance, adipose tissue inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiovascular risk. Elevated IL-17 levels promote chronic systemic inflammation, creating a bidirectional relationship in which obesity and metabolic abnormalities can worsen psoriasis severity, while psoriasis-associated inflammation may accelerate metabolic disease progression. These findings reinforce the importance of viewing psoriasis as a systemic inflammatory disease rather than a skin-limited condition. The review summarizes evidence suggesting that biologic therapies targeting the IL-17 pathway may provide benefits beyond skin clearance, potentially improving metabolic and cardiovascular parameters in some patients. The authors emphasize the need for routine screening for obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in patients with psoriasis. Early identification and multidisciplinary management of metabolic comorbidities may improve both dermatologic and overall health outcomes, supporting a more holistic approach to psoriasis care.³

Clinical Case Reports | A Novel Treatment Schedule Combining Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Endolift Laser for Facial Rejuvenation: A Case Report

This case report suggests that strategically timed injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) may enhance outcomes when combined with Endolift laser therapy for facial rejuvenation. The report describes a 56-year-old woman treated with i-PRF injections 1 day before, 1 week after, and 1 month after a single Endolift laser session. At 4 weeks, the patient demonstrated visible improvements in skin tightness, texture, elasticity, and overall facial appearance, particularly in the neck and lower face. Both patient and physician assessments indicated high satisfaction with the results. The authors propose that the treatment schedule may create a synergistic effect by combining Endolift-induced collagen remodeling with the regenerative properties of i-PRF, which contains platelets, leukocytes, and growth factors. Administering i-PRF before and after laser treatment was intended to prime tissue, support healing, and sustain collagen production. Adverse events were limited to mild, transient pain, redness, and swelling that resolved without intervention. Although the findings are promising, clinicians should note that the report represents a single patient with only 4 weeks of follow-up. Larger controlled studies with objective outcome measures and longer follow-up are needed to determine durability, establish standardized treatment protocols, and clarify the true benefit of combining i-PRF with Endolift therapy.⁴

Health Science Reports | A Real-Time Mobile AI-Assisted System for Skin Disease Prescreening: A Technical Feasibility Study

A technical feasibility study evaluated SkinLearn, a smartphone-based artificial intelligence (AI) application designed to prescreen skin diseases using a lightweight YOLO11 deep learning model. The Android app performs real-time, offline image analysis, making it potentially useful in settings with limited access to dermatology care or internet connectivity. Researchers trained the model on more than 38,000 images representing seven skin disease categories, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis. The system achieved 99.2% accuracy on the original dataset and outperformed a YOLOv8 comparison model. However, when tested on a separate skin cancer dataset (PAD-UFES-20), accuracy dropped to 71.4%, highlighting challenges with generalizing AI performance across different patient populations, image qualities, and clinical environments. While the app demonstrated efficient, low-resource deployment and rapid lesion classification, it remains a prescreening prototype rather than a diagnostic tool. The authors emphasize that broader validation, clinician oversight, and prospective real-world testing are necessary before such technology can be integrated into clinical practice. The study reinforces the growing role of AI in dermatology while highlighting the importance of maintaining clinical judgment and recognizing potential performance gaps across diverse patient populations.⁵

References

1. Bar D, Pavlotsky F, Barzilai A, Baum S. COVID-19 Outcomes and Vaccination Response Among Patients With Psoriasis Receiving Biologics. Dermatologic Therapy, 2026, 2037939, 7 pages, 2026. doi:10.1155/dth/2037939

2. Jin X, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Zhang Z, Shi C. Preclinical and Virtual Models of Mucosal Melanoma: Bridging Translational Gaps in a Rare and Lethal Cancer. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2026;39(4):e70094. doi:10.1111/pcmr.70094

3. Gisondi P, Fratton Z, Vighi da Rosa R, Bellini V, Carugno A. Unveiling the IL-17 axis: an immunometabolic bridge between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome. J Dermatolog Treat. 2026;37(1):2673285.doi:10.1080/09546634.2026.2673285

4. Nilforoushzadeh MA, Bozorg Savoji P, Fakhim T, Mirbahari SN. A Novel Treatment Schedule Combining Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Endolift Laser for Facial Rejuvenation: A Case Report. Clinical Case Reports. 14, no. 6 (2026): e72866, https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.72866.

5. Sutradhar U, Biswas Saha PTC, Hossain S, Asef MI. A Real-Time Mobile AI-Assisted System for Skin Disease Prescreening: A Technical Feasibility Study. Health Science Reports. 9 (2026): e72616. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.72616.