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Dermatology Times is recapping our exclusive expert interviews from the month of April.
Melinda Gooderham, MD, discussed delgocitinib cream’s safety and systemic exposure for chronic hand eczema at the 2025 AAD Annual Meeting. She confirmed minimal systemic absorption, even with maximal use, supporting the product's safety profile. Gooderham emphasized the importance of global regulatory approvals, additional safety data, and future comparative studies to guide prescribing decisions. She also highlighted the potential for off-label use for other eczema types and the need for real-world data on delgocitinib's long-term effectiveness.
Explore more insights from key opinion leaders in exclusive Q&As and written articles:
Jiyeon Oh, MD candidate at Kyung Hee University, discussed her recent study on asthma and atopic dermatitis in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. Using Global Burden of Diseases data, she found that by 2021, 129 million people worldwide were affected by AD. Despite population growth, the age-standardized prevalence rate remained stable. Projections indicate 148 million cases by 2050, with high-income countries showing the highest prevalence.
Sherket Peterson, PhD, discussed Allergan Aesthetics' efforts to create a universal vocabulary for skin quality. Their research, presented at the Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress, revealed a disconnect in terminology between patients and clinicians, hindering accurate diagnoses and treatments. The study led to the development of a "Skin Quality Index" to improve communication and patient care.
Peter Lio, MD, discussed the fast-evolving landscape of atopic dermatitis treatment, highlighting advances in biologic therapies and JAK inhibitors. However, he noted a significant gap in pediatric treatments, with limited options for children under 12. Lio emphasized the emotional and logistical burden of pediatric eczema on families and the need for cautious prescribing. He also stressed the importance of continued research to provide safe and effective treatments for children with atopic dermatitis.
Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, discussed the challenges of diagnosing and treating chronic hand eczema, noting its heterogeneous nature with 3 main causes: irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and atopic hand eczema. He emphasized the importance of barrier care, trigger avoidance, and emollients as foundational treatments. For pharmacologic therapy, topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors are first-line options, with delgocitinib anticipated as a valuable next step. Chovatiya also highlighted the selective use of patch testing and advanced therapies for refractory cases.
Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, discussed the importance of choosing the right skin care products for rosacea patients in an interview for Rosacea Awareness Month. She highlighted skinbetter science’s Mystro Active Balance Serum, which recently earned the National Rosacea Society Seal of Acceptance. The serum, designed with plant-based adaptogens, helps reduce redness and inflammation and complements prescription treatments. Draelos emphasized its safety and effectiveness, noting it can be easily added to daily routines to support rosacea care.
Lawrence (Larry) Eichenfield, MD, highlighted the potential of icotrokinra (JNJ-2113), an investigational oral IL-23 receptor blocker, to transform treatment for adolescents with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. He emphasized its once-daily oral dosing, biologic-like mechanism of action, and strong efficacy and safety data from the phase 3 ICONIC-LEAD study. Eichenfield also discussed the challenges adolescents face with psoriasis and the growing need for advanced, age-appropriate therapies.
Anastasia Georgievskaya, CEO and co-founder of Haut.AI, introduced SkinGPT, an AI-driven tool designed to visually simulate the effects of skin care products on individual patients. She highlighted SkinGPT’s role in addressing gaps in communication, clinical data representation, and diversity, helping dermatologists and consumers better predict treatment outcomes through personalized, inclusive visualizations.
Andrew Baker, MBA, MPAS, PA-C, incoming president-elect of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, shared his vision for advancing dermatologic care through AI integration, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, and advocacy for reimbursement parity. Drawing from over a decade of experience, Baker also emphasized the importance of mentorship, clinical research, and active engagement with SDPA to drive professional and patient care excellence.
Prithwiraj Maitra, PhD, vice president of Global Skincare R&D at Allergan Aesthetics, discussed the rise of regenerative aesthetics, which leverages the body’s natural repair mechanisms for sustained skin rejuvenation. Highlighting the role of SkinMedica and the science of the secretome, Maitra emphasized the growing importance of combining in-office treatments with evidence-based at-home skin care to support long-term skin health and aging prevention.
Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, previewed his upcoming RAD 2025 session on the OX40-OX40L axis, a promising immunologic target in atopic dermatitis that could help redefine treatment standards. He emphasized the importance of conferences like RAD for staying current with new benchmarks, optimizing treatment goals, and learning about emerging therapies to better serve patients.
Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, previewed the upcoming Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis 2025 conference, emphasizing the need for busy clinicians to stay current amid rapid advances in atopic dermatitis research and therapies. He highlighted the value of expert-led sessions covering new treatments, disease phenotyping, and late-breaking research.
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