Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD: Matching the Right AD Therapy to the Right Patient

At the Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis (RAD) 2026 Conference, Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, highlighted the importance of personalized treatment selection in atopic dermatitis (AD) and discussed emerging therapies that may reshape the future of disease management.

Shahriari participated in a Medical Crossfire panel designed to provide a unique perspective on selecting among available AD therapies. Rather than simply reviewing mechanisms of action, panelists were assigned specific drug classes and challenged to advocate for their therapies through an engaging “Avengers”-themed format.

“We’re really going to help the audience see in that art of therapy selection why you would pick one drug class versus another, and how you can best match the treatment to the person in front of you,” Shahriari told Dermatology Times.

For her presentation, Shahriari represented interleukin (IL)-13 cytokine blockers, including lebrikizumab and tralokinumab, through the character of Black Widow. She explained that the comparison highlighted the strategic and precise nature of IL-13 inhibition, emphasizing the importance of choosing therapies based on individual patient needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Shahriari also discussed what she views as one of the most exciting developments in dermatology: therapies targeting the OX40 pathway. Unlike existing treatments that primarily suppress inflammatory pathways, OX40-targeted therapies may offer the potential to alter the underlying immune response involved in AD.

“It gives us the potential for a drug that can maybe retrain and even rebalance your immune system and give you the potential for disease modification,” Shahriari said.

She noted that OX40-targeted therapies differ from many currently available treatments because they act earlier in the inflammatory cascade, targeting immune activation before downstream cytokine production. While these therapies may not provide the rapid improvements seen with some existing options, Shahriari described their potential as a long-term strategy focused on modifying disease course. However, she emphasized that continued evaluation of safety signals emerging from phase 3 studies will be important as these therapies progress through development.

In addition to her clinical work, Shahriari discussed her role as host of The Medical Sisterhood, a podcast focused on supporting women in dermatology and other professional fields. The platform explores topics including work-life balance, career challenges, and building connections within the medical community. Moving forward, Shahriari said the podcast will expand its focus on applying the concept of professional sisterhood to foster stronger connections and collaboration within dermatology.

More RAD conference coverage can be found here.