News

San Francisco - Injury to motor nerves is a potential disaster confronting dermatologic surgeons performing head and neck procedures, Stuart J. Salasche, M.D. said.

San Francisco - With the emergence of new laser and cutaneous surgical techniques, the need for more effective, fast-acting topical anesthesia that works safely continues to grow, Christopher B. Zachary, F.R.C.P., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Dermatologic surgeons need to consider carefully the effects of wound closure on free margins so they can develop a reconstruction plan that will avoid development of functional and/or cosmetic defects postoperatively, Stuart J. Salasche, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - The addition of a curvilinear incision along one or more limbs of an advancement flap can eliminate standing cutaneous cones and result in favorable cosmetic outcomes. If done properly, this advancement flap modification decreases the number of facial suture lines and does not increase the risk for complications, according to Roberta D. Sengelmann, M.D., who developed the technique.

Chicago - Palifermin, a recombinant form of human keratinocyte growth factor (rhuKGF), has been shown to significantly reduce the duration and incidence of severe oral mucositis, while lessening the use of parenteral opioid analgesics and improving the patient's outcome in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing high-dose chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and total body irradiation (TBI) followed by hematopoietic stem-cell support, Ricardo Spielberger, M.D., said at the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Oncology.

Chicago - Results from an ongoing phase II clinical trial point out that electrochemotherapy followed by low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) (Proleukin) produces a clinical response in a subset of patients with disseminated malignant melanoma, Julie Gehl, M.D., said at the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

San Francisco - Performing an oral biopsy can be as safe and easy as performing a regular skin biopsy, provided you know the rules, Ginat Mirowski, D.M.D., M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Of all the dilemmas that dermatologists confront in the clinical setting, few are as disturbing as the risk of exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) due to a needle stick.

San Francisco - Topical preparations remain the first-line therapy for pruritus and often include such old-fashioned therapies as medicated baths, wet dressings, and shake lotions to induce feelings of coolness or heat, Jana Hercogov?, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - A better understanding of the pathophysiologic mediators of itch has led to some novel and promising approaches to its successful treatment, Gil Yosipovitch, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. Several exciting systemic therapies approved for the treatment of various neurologically mediated disorders now show potential in the treatment of itch.

San Francisco - Aphthous stomatitis (canker sores) often are not considered to be anything more than a nuisance, but patients who suffer from complex aphthosis experience considerable pain and limitations to normal activities, like eating and talking.

San Francisco - Clinical research is not only an indispensable research activity with the potential to improve the quality of healthcare, Wilma F. Bergfeld, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. There have been changes in international and FDA regulations that physicians need to stay abreast of, including changes in international and federal regulations and guidelines for research involving women and children.

San Francisco - Phototherapy is effective for a host of skin conditions, but many dermatologists reserve it only for what it is best known for: psoriasis.

San Francisco - Results from premarketing clinical trials indicate that the usual efalizumab (Raptiva) dosage for the treatment of psoriasis will involve ongoing therapy with 1 mg/kg in the vast majority of patients, but alternate dosing regimens for fine-tuning management may benefit certain subgroups of patients, Kim A. Papp, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - While the 2002 Psoriasis Therapies Educational Summit Meeting successfully fostered various educational programs about new and emerging modalities for psoriasis treatment, many questions still linger, Jeffrey P. Callen, M.D., told attendees of the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. Specifically, questions regarding the use of biologic agents remain unable to be answered, Dr. Callen said.

San Francisco - Oatmeal, sunscreen ingredients, and newer plastic products are causing some of the latest allergies confronting dermatologists. The number of patients experiencing sensitivity to these products can be expected to increase, Robert L. Rietschel, M.D., said.

San Francisco - Consumer interest in alternative and complementary medicines continues to grow; hence, dermatologists need to be knowledgeable about herbal remedies and query patients carefully about their use. Some agents have the potential to cause adverse effects or serious drug interactions, Mary Ruth Buchness, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Low and ultra-low doses of isotretinoin are an effective therapy for many acne patients. This safer and cheaper solution can even be used continuously.

San Diego - Legal disputes between companies regarding assumptions of patent right and licensing normally are not important to physicians using the products, but a recent action initiated by Artes Medical against competitor BioForm Inc. suggests a dispute could reach the user-level.

Marshfield, Wis. - A dermatologist here played a key role in what became the index case for the first reported outbreak of monkeypox virus in the Western Hemisphere.

Q. I've heard so many horror stories about other dermatologists not being able to retire when they wanted to for financial reasons. What can I do to avoid that situation?

After treatment with the new biologic agents, patient-reported outcomes measuring quality of life were evaluated, since psoriasis has been shown to have a significantly negative impact on patients' physical, psychological, and social functioning.22 Because the condition can affect the ability to perform normal work activities and often causes absence from work, psoriasis can negatively affect a person's job and income.

An open-label study was undertaken to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of continuous efalizumab therapy in patients achieving PASI 50 or an OLS grade of Mild, Minimal, or Clear at 12 weeks of therapy.

Efalizumab is a humanized IgG monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha chain of LFA-1 (CD11a) expressed on the surface of T cells.11 Efalizumab blocks the interaction between LFA-1 and ICAM-1 on APCs, vascular endothelial cells, and cells in the dermis and epidermis.

In order to understand the clinical relevance of T-cell-specific agents in the treatment of psoriasis, dermatologists first must understand the role of T cells in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Before the mid-1980s, psoriasis was believed to be predominantly a disease of abnormal regulation of keratinocyte growth and differentiation.

San Francisco - Two research projects have serendipitously led one researcher to a third study - with an unanticipated result.

San Francisco - Supplemental patch testing for allergens not included in TRUE Test is necessary, albeit less convenient, for dermatologists, according to Erin M. Warshaw, M.D.

San Francisco - A randomized, two-center study conducted at the University of Cincinnati and Oregon Health & Science University suggests that topical bexarotene gel (Targretin) 1 percent monotherapy may be a promising new treatment for severe chronic hand dermatitis.

San Francisco - A fuller understanding of the pathophysiologic processes of pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) may yield effective new therapies, Martin Steinhoff, M.D., Ph.D. said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - Bacitracin, the widely used topical antibiotic, has been named "Contact Allergen of 2003."