News

Despite years of clinical trials involving cytotoxics, DNA-damaging agents, immunomodulatory therapies and other interventions, the natural history of melanoma has changed very little. However, new treatments offer hope.

With the array of filler options now available, successful treatment requires knowing what patients want when determining the most effective product for the job, an expert says.

The first validated scale for grading lip volume has proven its accuracy and robustness in a variety of tests, according to one of the scale's developers.

A sonic skincare brush has demonstrated effectiveness at increasing absorption of topical agents and improving the appearance of photoaged skin, one of the product's developers says.

The efficacy and safety of a cosmeceutical cream containing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for improving the appearance of facial photodamage skin was investigated in a 16-week, randomized, double-blind, split-face study of 25 women. Assessments of changes in periorbital skin showed statistically significant differences favoring use of the CLA-containing cream. No skin irritation was noted throughout the study.

A new, photostable UVA/UVB filter has demonstrated the ability to improve the appearance of a variety of photoaging symptoms, according to a recent study.

With the continued introduction of laser devices with unique delivery systems and wavelengths, the issue of eye safety is becoming increasingly complicated. Consistent and competent eye safety procedures for operator, patient, observer and assistant are crucial to a safe and successful laser practice. Despite our increased knowledge of lasers and laser safety, eye injuries in the workplace are still a common problem, with many injuries going undetected well after the incident.

Two identical pivotal trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of autologous fibroblast therapy (Isolagen Technologies) compared with placebo are almost finished. Special attention was paid in protocol design so there would be consistency across the studies in cell harvesting and injection technique, as well as in outcomes assessments. The treatment protocol, which varies from previous studies, aims to optimize the treatment effect.

A study showing that the periocular area and skin color uniformity are key drivers of perceived age suggests that aesthetic physicians and skincare companies should target these attributes, authors say.

Two products developed for treating facial hyperpigmentation in women with skin of color were compared head-to-head in a 12-week, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Similar improvements were achieved at all follow-ups in multiple assessments among women using a hydroquinone-based product and those randomized to apply a cream containing vitamins A, C and E.

Although Asians are the fastest-growing population group in the United States, most dermatologists are not familiar with differences in the skin of Asians as compared to Caucasian patients. Signs of aging are different, and more delicate treatment is needed for sensitive Asian skin.

Unique clinical presentations in skin cancers among ethnic people can confuse physicians and perpetuate the problem of later diagnoses and higher mortality rates in darker-skinned individuals. Physicians should be particularly careful in checking feet and hands for possible signs of skin cancer, and use care not to confuse signs with those of other conditions.

When children present with port wine stains, clinicians should consider serious conditions and underlying disease. Vascular anomalies can be classified into two major groups: vascular tumors, which infantile hemangiomas are the most frequent, and vascular malformations.

Patch-testing might be a helpful tool in determining individuals who may be at risk for developing irritant hand dermatitis, according to a recent study.

Study shows comparable efficacy and onset of therapeutic effect with doxycycline 40 mg (delayed release) once daily or doxycycline 100 mg once daily for treatment of rosacea, with some differences in adverse effects.

Fungal isolates from patients with tinea capitis participating in international clinical trials were tested for in vitro susceptibility to terbinafine. The results showed terbinafine had potent activity against all 301 dermatophytes tested. There was no difference in MIC values comparing U.S. and non-U.S. isolates of the same organism.

Two biologic agents under investigation show promise in the treatment of psoriasis by targeting IL-12 and -23, says an expert.

PHOENIX 1 is a phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab (Centocor), a fully human interleukin-12/23p40 monoclonal antibody, in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. The study randomized 766 patients to receive ustekinumab 45 mg, ustekinumab 90 mg or placebo at weeks zero and four. Data from 52 weeks and 76 weeks show high proportions of patients are maintaining PASI 75 responses with maintenance injections every 12 weeks.

The results of a three-year study with efalizumab show that patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis are able to maintain high PASI scores, reflecting long-term hope for disease-free intervals.

The phase 3 EXPRESS II trial data show infliximab (Remicade, Centocor) maintenance treatment with regularly administered infusions is associated with better psoriasis control and fewer infusion reactions than intermittent, as-needed dosing. A composite analysis of infliximab phase 2 and 3 study data shows consistently dramatic improvements across all four body regions evaluated in the studies.

The proposed new rules for sunscreens issued by the FDA have focused attention on understanding the different methods available for assessing UVA protection. Considering the limitations of various tests and real-world product use patterns, it is important that a sunscreen demonstrate both high levels of in vivo and in vitro protection against UVA as well as a high SPF level.

In vitro studies evaluated the transmission profiles and photostability of three commercially available sunscreens, as well as their activity for protecting against UV-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity.

Autologous fibroblast therapy (Isolagen, Isolagen, Inc.) has been used to achieve functional and cosmetic improvements in patients with acute and chronic burn injuries involving the face, neck, hands, and chest. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated and associated with high patient satisfaction.

Medical-grade honey kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria - including Staphylococcus - in the test tube, and eradicates colonies on the skin of healthy volunteers, Dutch researchers report.

The Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded a multimillion-dollar research grant to develop new therapies for wounded soldiers, which may hasten the pace at which unique, innovative burn and wound healing and cosmetic procedures become commonly used in treating civilians.

Dr. Photo has lectured at numerous American Academy of Dermatology meetings. His lectures are well-attended and receive the highest attendee rankings. His PowerPoint presentations are always noted for their exceptional clarity.

Over the past 10 to 15 years, there has been a boom in the phenomenon commonly known as "medspas" - an outgrowth of the purely Aesthetic day spa, combining herbal wraps and massages with medical or near-medical therapies, such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels, and progressing into lasers, fillers and Botox treatments.

The other day, I was visiting with my doctor following my annual checkup, and I asked him about the key concerns that he faces in his regional, three-physician practice in the Baltimore, Md., suburbs.

I recently read a short newspaper story (USA Today, May 27, 2008) from California, where it was reported that "two lawmakers want greater protection for cosmetic surgery patients."

The ongoing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review of TNF-blocking biologic drugs is unlikely to have much impact on dermatologists' use of these drugs, physicians say.