Top 5 Articles of the Week: August 3-8

To stay up to date with the latest dermatology news, sign up to receive our eNewsletters.

1. Evaluating Currently Available Topicals for Pediatric AD

At Elevate Derm Summer, Shanna Miranti, MPAS, PA-C, shared her approach to treating moderate to severe pediatric atopic dermatitis, emphasizing recent advancements in nonsteroidal topicals. In the interview, she highlighted how treatments like tapinarof, roflumilast, and ruxolitinib allow for age- and site-specific care. For younger children, she prefers tapinarof for its efficacy and safety on sensitive areas. Roflumilast is her go-to for children 6 and older, especially with seborrheic features, while ruxolitinib is reserved for adolescents with severe itch. Miranti expressed optimism about upcoming age expansions for these therapies, calling it “an exciting time” in pediatric AD care.

2. AI Trends in Dermatology: Talking With David Cotter, MD, PhD at DERM 2025

In a recent Dermatology Times interview, Las Vegas dermatologist David Cotter, MD, PhD, discussed the promise and pitfalls of AI in clinical practice. While AI tools like scribes and prior authorization assistants are reducing administrative burdens and streamlining patient access to treatments, Cotter warns that insurers are also using AI—often to deny claims at alarming rates. This dual use has sparked legal action, including class-action lawsuits against companies allegedly automating denials without proper review. Clinically, AI has potential in diagnostics, especially for skin cancer, but Cotter stresses it's not yet reliable as a standalone tool. Instead, he advocates for a collaborative approach: “man with machine.” Cotter urges fellow clinicians to embrace AI responsibly, integrating it into practice while remaining vigilant, saying, “The future is now… If we shy away from it, patients may experience harm.”

3. Human Skin Models Advance EBS Research

At the 50th annual Society for Pediatric Dermatology meeting, Cory Simpson, MD, PhD, spoke with Dermatology Times about his cutting-edge research on personalized treatments for Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex (EBS), a rare genetic blistering disorder with no approved therapies. Simpson’s team has developed a human tissue–based model using CRISPR and patient-derived stem cells to replicate the unique genetics of each EBS case. This allows for drug testing on lab-grown, patient-specific skin. He highlighted MEK inhibitors as a potential therapy to rebalance keratin expression and improve skin integrity. While cautious about translating lab success to clinical practice, Simpson remains driven by the belief that “every patient deserves a chance for a cure.”

4. Patterns of Cutaneous Reactions to Nemolizumab in AD

A new multicenter retrospective study out of Japan, published in The Journal of Dermatology, highlights emerging concerns about cutaneous adverse effects linked to nemolizumab, an IL-31RA–targeting monoclonal antibody approved for moderate to severe pruritus in atopic dermatitis (AD). In an analysis of 219 patients, 40.2% developed distinct skin eruptions—often non-pruritic and morphologically different from baseline AD—within the first 3 doses. Common presentations included erythema, coin-shaped plaques, and dry/scaly lesions. Though most cases were manageable with high-potency topical corticosteroids, 2 patients developed bullous pemphigoid. Researchers recommend close monitoring during early treatment, especially up to the third dose, and emphasize that discontinuation does not always lead to faster resolution due to nemolizumab’s long half-life.

5. Sculptra and Restylane Deliver 9-Month Skin, Confidence Boost Post-Medication Weight Loss

Galderma’s phase 4 trial results show that combining Sculptra with Restylane Lyft or Contour can effectively restore facial volume and improve skin quality in patients experiencing rapid, medication-induced weight loss. In the study, over 85% of participants felt their face looked less gaunt, and 91% said they’d recommend the treatment. Investigator Michael Somenek, MD, emphasized the importance of a holistic, personalized approach, highlighting how aesthetic treatments can help align patients’ facial appearance with their renewed confidence during weight loss journeys.