AAD Annual Meeting 2015

SAN FRANCISCO – Among Asian and Hispanic patients, women are more likely than men are to get nonmelanoma skin cancer, according to a review of 4,029 cases at the University of California, San Diego.

That’s a surprise, because the reverse is true in whites, and skin cancer is generally thought to be more common in men.

About 96% of the cases were in white patients, and two-thirds of those were in men. Among Hispanic and Asian patients, about two-thirds of the cases were in women.

The reason for the gender reversal is unclear, but the study has a clear message, according to study investigator Dr. Arisa Ortiz, director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at the university. She shared that message in an interview at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting.

SAN FRANCISCO – Among Asian and Hispanic patients, women are more likely than men are to get nonmelanoma skin cancer, according to a review of 4,029 cases at the University of California, San Diego.

That’s a surprise, because the reverse is true in whites, and skin cancer is generally thought to be more common in men.

About 96% of the cases were in white patients, and two-thirds of those were in men. Among Hispanic and Asian patients, about two-thirds of the cases were in women.

The reason for the gender reversal is unclear, but the study has a clear message, according to study investigator Dr. Arisa Ortiz, director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at the university. She shared that message in an interview at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting.

SAN FRANCISCO – Among Asian and Hispanic patients, women are more likely than men are to get nonmelanoma skin cancer, according to a review of 4,029 cases at the University of California, San Diego.

That’s a surprise, because the reverse is true in whites, and skin cancer is generally thought to be more common in men.

About 96% of the cases were in white patients, and two-thirds of those were in men. Among Hispanic and Asian patients, about two-thirds of the cases were in women.

The reason for the gender reversal is unclear, but the study has a clear message, according to study investigator Dr. Arisa Ortiz, director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at the university. She shared that message in an interview at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting.

SAN FRANCISCO – The room was packed for a talk about spironolactone and acne at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Several dozen people were turned away at the door because there weren’t any seats left. Dermatologists have heard that the drug is a good option for adult women, but they’ve also heard about potential problems with spironolactone, and – as the turnout shows – they want to know the bottom line.

One of the speakers, Dr. Julie Harper of the University of Alabama in Birmingham, explained when and how to use spironolactone in an interview after the session.

 aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – The room was packed for a talk about spironolactone and acne at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Several dozen people were turned away at the door because there weren’t any seats left. Dermatologists have heard that the drug is a good option for adult women, but they’ve also heard about potential problems with spironolactone, and – as the turnout shows – they want to know the bottom line.

One of the speakers, Dr. Julie Harper of the University of Alabama in Birmingham, explained when and how to use spironolactone in an interview after the session.

 aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – The room was packed for a talk about spironolactone and acne at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Several dozen people were turned away at the door because there weren’t any seats left. Dermatologists have heard that the drug is a good option for adult women, but they’ve also heard about potential problems with spironolactone, and – as the turnout shows – they want to know the bottom line.

One of the speakers, Dr. Julie Harper of the University of Alabama in Birmingham, explained when and how to use spironolactone in an interview after the session.

 aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – Thyroid disease is known to be more common in patients with vitiligo, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

In a review of 1,098 patients, researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that vitiligo also travels with a host of other autoimmune diseases, including alopecia areata, Guillain-Barre syndrome, linear morphea, myasthenia gravis, discoid lupus, and Sjogren’s syndrome.

Nearly 20% of the subjects had at least one comorbid autoimmune disease. The study also confirmed previously found associations with thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pernicious anemia, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The findings have changed the practice of investigator and dermatologist Dr. Iltefat Hamzavi, a senior staff physician at the hospital. He explained how in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – Thyroid disease is known to be more common in patients with vitiligo, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

In a review of 1,098 patients, researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that vitiligo also travels with a host of other autoimmune diseases, including alopecia areata, Guillain-Barre syndrome, linear morphea, myasthenia gravis, discoid lupus, and Sjogren’s syndrome.

Nearly 20% of the subjects had at least one comorbid autoimmune disease. The study also confirmed previously found associations with thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pernicious anemia, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The findings have changed the practice of investigator and dermatologist Dr. Iltefat Hamzavi, a senior staff physician at the hospital. He explained how in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – Thyroid disease is known to be more common in patients with vitiligo, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

In a review of 1,098 patients, researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that vitiligo also travels with a host of other autoimmune diseases, including alopecia areata, Guillain-Barre syndrome, linear morphea, myasthenia gravis, discoid lupus, and Sjogren’s syndrome.

Nearly 20% of the subjects had at least one comorbid autoimmune disease. The study also confirmed previously found associations with thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pernicious anemia, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The findings have changed the practice of investigator and dermatologist Dr. Iltefat Hamzavi, a senior staff physician at the hospital. He explained how in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – Guidelines on atopic dermatitis from the American Academy of Dermatology and the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters differ in a few important ways.

Dr. Peter Lio of Northwestern University, Chicago, summarized similarities and differences between the guidelines, discussed subtypes of atopic dermatitis, and shared tips on educating parents about food allergies and eczema in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

SAN FRANCISCO – Guidelines on atopic dermatitis from the American Academy of Dermatology and the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters differ in a few important ways.

Dr. Peter Lio of Northwestern University, Chicago, summarized similarities and differences between the guidelines, discussed subtypes of atopic dermatitis, and shared tips on educating parents about food allergies and eczema in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

SAN FRANCISCO – Guidelines on atopic dermatitis from the American Academy of Dermatology and the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters differ in a few important ways.

Dr. Peter Lio of Northwestern University, Chicago, summarized similarities and differences between the guidelines, discussed subtypes of atopic dermatitis, and shared tips on educating parents about food allergies and eczema in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

SAN FRANCISCO– Dupilumab met its safety endpoints and significantly outperformed placebo for adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, according to final results of a multicenter, international phase IIb study.

At all five doses tested, the biologic significantly improved atopic dermatitis (AD) compared with placebo based on multiple clinical measures, Dr. Lisa A. Beck said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. The highest dose of 300 mg given either weekly or every two weeks provided the most consistent benefits, added Dr. Beck of the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is caused by immune dysregulation and altered skin barrier function, though the relative contribution of each process is still under debate, Dr. Beck said. Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody designed to block intracellular signaling by the interleukin 4 and IL-13 cytokines, which are thought to mediate many features of AD.

The study included 380 patients in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Japan who had moderate to severe AD that was inadequately controlled by topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. At baseline, patients had been living with AD for more than three years and at least 10% of their body surface area was affected. Patients were randomized to weekly, biweekly, or monthly subcutaneous injections of dupilumab at doses of 300 mg, 200 mg, or 100 mg, or to placebo. The groups were demographically similar.

After 16 weeks of treatment, a linear regression model of Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores strongly favored dupilumab over placebo and indicated a dose-response trend, Dr. Beck reported. Based on the model, EASI scores dropped by about 45% for the low-dose group, by 63% to 65% for the intermediate-dose groups, by 68% for the high-dose group treated every two weeks, and by almost 74% for patients treated with 300 mg weekly. In contrast, the placebo group improved by about 18% (all P-values < .0001).

About 80% of patients who received the most intensive regimen (300 mg dupilumab weekly) achieved EASI-50, while about 60% achieved EASI-75 and close to 40% achieved EASI-90 (all P-values < .0001 compared with placebo). Responses for the lower-dose cohorts again indicated a dose-response trend. “Even the lowest dose showed an improvement, but it tended to lose that effect through the treatment phase,” Dr. Beck said.

Dupilumab also beat placebo on the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) assessment, with estimated improvements in AD ranging from 26% for the low-dose group to the 57% for the high-dose group treated weekly, compared with about 14% for placebo (P < .05). Analyses of body surface area (BSA) ranged from about a 26% improvement for the low-dose group to more than 65% for the highest-dose, compared with about 8% for placebo (P < .05).

“We saw really significant drops in BSA with the highest dose group, and the BSA response was very much in line with the response in terms of signs of the disease,” Dr. Beck said. During every week of treatment, patients on dupilumab also reported significant improvements in pruritus compared with placebo based on a numerical rating scale.

Researchers assessed dupilumab’s safety through week 32, and found no dose-limiting adverse events. The dupilumab groups had slightly greater rates of headache, injection site reactions, and conjunctivitis. “We did see a trend of slightly greater herpes infections in the dupilumab-treated patients,” Dr. Beck said. “But if you look at other viral infections, there was no difference, and also herpes infections were highest in the lowest dose group. More studies need to be done to ferret out whether that’s real.”

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is the maker of dupilumab. Dr. Beck reported having been the principal investigator at her site for the Regeneron trials of dupilumab in AD, and having consulted with the company on study design. She reported having no other relevant disclosures.

SAN FRANCISCO– Dupilumab met its safety endpoints and significantly outperformed placebo for adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, according to final results of a multicenter, international phase IIb study.

At all five doses tested, the biologic significantly improved atopic dermatitis (AD) compared with placebo based on multiple clinical measures, Dr. Lisa A. Beck said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. The highest dose of 300 mg given either weekly or every two weeks provided the most consistent benefits, added Dr. Beck of the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is caused by immune dysregulation and altered skin barrier function, though the relative contribution of each process is still under debate, Dr. Beck said. Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody designed to block intracellular signaling by the interleukin 4 and IL-13 cytokines, which are thought to mediate many features of AD.

The study included 380 patients in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Japan who had moderate to severe AD that was inadequately controlled by topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. At baseline, patients had been living with AD for more than three years and at least 10% of their body surface area was affected. Patients were randomized to weekly, biweekly, or monthly subcutaneous injections of dupilumab at doses of 300 mg, 200 mg, or 100 mg, or to placebo. The groups were demographically similar.

After 16 weeks of treatment, a linear regression model of Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores strongly favored dupilumab over placebo and indicated a dose-response trend, Dr. Beck reported. Based on the model, EASI scores dropped by about 45% for the low-dose group, by 63% to 65% for the intermediate-dose groups, by 68% for the high-dose group treated every two weeks, and by almost 74% for patients treated with 300 mg weekly. In contrast, the placebo group improved by about 18% (all P-values < .0001).

About 80% of patients who received the most intensive regimen (300 mg dupilumab weekly) achieved EASI-50, while about 60% achieved EASI-75 and close to 40% achieved EASI-90 (all P-values < .0001 compared with placebo). Responses for the lower-dose cohorts again indicated a dose-response trend. “Even the lowest dose showed an improvement, but it tended to lose that effect through the treatment phase,” Dr. Beck said.

Dupilumab also beat placebo on the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) assessment, with estimated improvements in AD ranging from 26% for the low-dose group to the 57% for the high-dose group treated weekly, compared with about 14% for placebo (P < .05). Analyses of body surface area (BSA) ranged from about a 26% improvement for the low-dose group to more than 65% for the highest-dose, compared with about 8% for placebo (P < .05).

“We saw really significant drops in BSA with the highest dose group, and the BSA response was very much in line with the response in terms of signs of the disease,” Dr. Beck said. During every week of treatment, patients on dupilumab also reported significant improvements in pruritus compared with placebo based on a numerical rating scale.

Researchers assessed dupilumab’s safety through week 32, and found no dose-limiting adverse events. The dupilumab groups had slightly greater rates of headache, injection site reactions, and conjunctivitis. “We did see a trend of slightly greater herpes infections in the dupilumab-treated patients,” Dr. Beck said. “But if you look at other viral infections, there was no difference, and also herpes infections were highest in the lowest dose group. More studies need to be done to ferret out whether that’s real.”

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is the maker of dupilumab. Dr. Beck reported having been the principal investigator at her site for the Regeneron trials of dupilumab in AD, and having consulted with the company on study design. She reported having no other relevant disclosures.

SAN FRANCISCO– Dupilumab met its safety endpoints and significantly outperformed placebo for adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, according to final results of a multicenter, international phase IIb study.

At all five doses tested, the biologic significantly improved atopic dermatitis (AD) compared with placebo based on multiple clinical measures, Dr. Lisa A. Beck said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. The highest dose of 300 mg given either weekly or every two weeks provided the most consistent benefits, added Dr. Beck of the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is caused by immune dysregulation and altered skin barrier function, though the relative contribution of each process is still under debate, Dr. Beck said. Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody designed to block intracellular signaling by the interleukin 4 and IL-13 cytokines, which are thought to mediate many features of AD.

The study included 380 patients in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Japan who had moderate to severe AD that was inadequately controlled by topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors. At baseline, patients had been living with AD for more than three years and at least 10% of their body surface area was affected. Patients were randomized to weekly, biweekly, or monthly subcutaneous injections of dupilumab at doses of 300 mg, 200 mg, or 100 mg, or to placebo. The groups were demographically similar.

After 16 weeks of treatment, a linear regression model of Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores strongly favored dupilumab over placebo and indicated a dose-response trend, Dr. Beck reported. Based on the model, EASI scores dropped by about 45% for the low-dose group, by 63% to 65% for the intermediate-dose groups, by 68% for the high-dose group treated every two weeks, and by almost 74% for patients treated with 300 mg weekly. In contrast, the placebo group improved by about 18% (all P-values < .0001).

About 80% of patients who received the most intensive regimen (300 mg dupilumab weekly) achieved EASI-50, while about 60% achieved EASI-75 and close to 40% achieved EASI-90 (all P-values < .0001 compared with placebo). Responses for the lower-dose cohorts again indicated a dose-response trend. “Even the lowest dose showed an improvement, but it tended to lose that effect through the treatment phase,” Dr. Beck said.

Dupilumab also beat placebo on the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) assessment, with estimated improvements in AD ranging from 26% for the low-dose group to the 57% for the high-dose group treated weekly, compared with about 14% for placebo (P < .05). Analyses of body surface area (BSA) ranged from about a 26% improvement for the low-dose group to more than 65% for the highest-dose, compared with about 8% for placebo (P < .05).

“We saw really significant drops in BSA with the highest dose group, and the BSA response was very much in line with the response in terms of signs of the disease,” Dr. Beck said. During every week of treatment, patients on dupilumab also reported significant improvements in pruritus compared with placebo based on a numerical rating scale.

Researchers assessed dupilumab’s safety through week 32, and found no dose-limiting adverse events. The dupilumab groups had slightly greater rates of headache, injection site reactions, and conjunctivitis. “We did see a trend of slightly greater herpes infections in the dupilumab-treated patients,” Dr. Beck said. “But if you look at other viral infections, there was no difference, and also herpes infections were highest in the lowest dose group. More studies need to be done to ferret out whether that’s real.”

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is the maker of dupilumab. Dr. Beck reported having been the principal investigator at her site for the Regeneron trials of dupilumab in AD, and having consulted with the company on study design. She reported having no other relevant disclosures.

SAN FRANCISCO – Sometimes, salicylic acid is the right call for exfoliation, but sometimes not. Other times microdermabrasion or glycolic acid make sense, or maybe mandelic acid, or something else entirely.

In other words, dermatologists have a lot of options for exfoliation, including not to do it at all. The way to go all comes down to understanding your patient’s skin, and that can be tricky.

Dr. Mary Lupo, clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, explained the nuances of exfoliation and shared her advice in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – Sometimes, salicylic acid is the right call for exfoliation, but sometimes not. Other times microdermabrasion or glycolic acid make sense, or maybe mandelic acid, or something else entirely.

In other words, dermatologists have a lot of options for exfoliation, including not to do it at all. The way to go all comes down to understanding your patient’s skin, and that can be tricky.

Dr. Mary Lupo, clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, explained the nuances of exfoliation and shared her advice in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – Sometimes, salicylic acid is the right call for exfoliation, but sometimes not. Other times microdermabrasion or glycolic acid make sense, or maybe mandelic acid, or something else entirely.

In other words, dermatologists have a lot of options for exfoliation, including not to do it at all. The way to go all comes down to understanding your patient’s skin, and that can be tricky.

Dr. Mary Lupo, clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, explained the nuances of exfoliation and shared her advice in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO– An investigational topical ointment met its safety endpoints and showed signs of efficacy in children and adolescents with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, according to a small phase II study.

Four weeks of twice-daily treatment with the AN2728 agent yielded an average 78% reduction in affected body surface area, reported Dr. Zoe Draelos at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

At day 29, 65% of patients had achieved Investigator’s Static Global Assessment (ISGA) scores of clear or almost clear, and 47% of patients had achieved those scores plus at least a two-grade improvement from baseline, said Dr. Draelos, a dermatologist in High Point, North Carolina.

The ointment is a 2% formulation of AN2728, a small-molecule compound based on elemental boron that works by suppressing phosphodiesterase type 4 activity, which in turn inhibits the release of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-12, and IL-23. Investigators assessed its safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects on the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD), as well as changes in the percentage of body surface area affected and disease severity based on the five-point IGSA scale, ranging from 0 (clear) to 4 (severe disease).

The study enrolled 34 patients aged two to 17 years who had AD affecting 25% to 35% of body surface area. The cream was applied twice daily for 28 days, which was done in the clinic for the first eight days to ensure maximum exposure to the agent.

Plasma levels of the agent measured on days 1 and 8 were low and resembled those previously observed for adults after adjusting for the percentage of body surface area treated. Twelve of the 34 patients had application site reactions, which included paresthesia, papules, itching, and burning, most of which were mild to moderate and resolved spontaneously. However, one patient withdrew from the study because of pain at the application site.

Patients had “marked” reductions in AD signs and symptoms, Dr. Draelos reported. Pruritus scores dropped an average of 60%, with improvements starting on about day 5 of treatment that leveled off at about day 15, she added. The investigators saw similar trends for erythema, lichenification, excoriation, and exudation.

Because patients were not allowed to use emollients during treatment, the adverse events observed were directly tied to twice-daily use of the product, Dr. Draelos noted.

Researchers are enrolling patients in phase III trials of AN2728, with data expected later in 2015, according to a press release from Anacor Pharmaceuticals, which makes the agent. Two carcinogenicity studies wrapped up earlier this year and yielded no evidence of malignancies, the company also reported.

Anacor sponsored the study. Dr. Draelos reported having served as a researcher for and receiving grant support from Anacor for the work.

SAN FRANCISCO– An investigational topical ointment met its safety endpoints and showed signs of efficacy in children and adolescents with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, according to a small phase II study.

Four weeks of twice-daily treatment with the AN2728 agent yielded an average 78% reduction in affected body surface area, reported Dr. Zoe Draelos at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

At day 29, 65% of patients had achieved Investigator’s Static Global Assessment (ISGA) scores of clear or almost clear, and 47% of patients had achieved those scores plus at least a two-grade improvement from baseline, said Dr. Draelos, a dermatologist in High Point, North Carolina.

The ointment is a 2% formulation of AN2728, a small-molecule compound based on elemental boron that works by suppressing phosphodiesterase type 4 activity, which in turn inhibits the release of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-12, and IL-23. Investigators assessed its safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects on the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD), as well as changes in the percentage of body surface area affected and disease severity based on the five-point IGSA scale, ranging from 0 (clear) to 4 (severe disease).

The study enrolled 34 patients aged two to 17 years who had AD affecting 25% to 35% of body surface area. The cream was applied twice daily for 28 days, which was done in the clinic for the first eight days to ensure maximum exposure to the agent.

Plasma levels of the agent measured on days 1 and 8 were low and resembled those previously observed for adults after adjusting for the percentage of body surface area treated. Twelve of the 34 patients had application site reactions, which included paresthesia, papules, itching, and burning, most of which were mild to moderate and resolved spontaneously. However, one patient withdrew from the study because of pain at the application site.

Patients had “marked” reductions in AD signs and symptoms, Dr. Draelos reported. Pruritus scores dropped an average of 60%, with improvements starting on about day 5 of treatment that leveled off at about day 15, she added. The investigators saw similar trends for erythema, lichenification, excoriation, and exudation.

Because patients were not allowed to use emollients during treatment, the adverse events observed were directly tied to twice-daily use of the product, Dr. Draelos noted.

Researchers are enrolling patients in phase III trials of AN2728, with data expected later in 2015, according to a press release from Anacor Pharmaceuticals, which makes the agent. Two carcinogenicity studies wrapped up earlier this year and yielded no evidence of malignancies, the company also reported.

Anacor sponsored the study. Dr. Draelos reported having served as a researcher for and receiving grant support from Anacor for the work.

SAN FRANCISCO– An investigational topical ointment met its safety endpoints and showed signs of efficacy in children and adolescents with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, according to a small phase II study.

Four weeks of twice-daily treatment with the AN2728 agent yielded an average 78% reduction in affected body surface area, reported Dr. Zoe Draelos at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

At day 29, 65% of patients had achieved Investigator’s Static Global Assessment (ISGA) scores of clear or almost clear, and 47% of patients had achieved those scores plus at least a two-grade improvement from baseline, said Dr. Draelos, a dermatologist in High Point, North Carolina.

The ointment is a 2% formulation of AN2728, a small-molecule compound based on elemental boron that works by suppressing phosphodiesterase type 4 activity, which in turn inhibits the release of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-12, and IL-23. Investigators assessed its safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects on the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD), as well as changes in the percentage of body surface area affected and disease severity based on the five-point IGSA scale, ranging from 0 (clear) to 4 (severe disease).

The study enrolled 34 patients aged two to 17 years who had AD affecting 25% to 35% of body surface area. The cream was applied twice daily for 28 days, which was done in the clinic for the first eight days to ensure maximum exposure to the agent.

Plasma levels of the agent measured on days 1 and 8 were low and resembled those previously observed for adults after adjusting for the percentage of body surface area treated. Twelve of the 34 patients had application site reactions, which included paresthesia, papules, itching, and burning, most of which were mild to moderate and resolved spontaneously. However, one patient withdrew from the study because of pain at the application site.

Patients had “marked” reductions in AD signs and symptoms, Dr. Draelos reported. Pruritus scores dropped an average of 60%, with improvements starting on about day 5 of treatment that leveled off at about day 15, she added. The investigators saw similar trends for erythema, lichenification, excoriation, and exudation.

Because patients were not allowed to use emollients during treatment, the adverse events observed were directly tied to twice-daily use of the product, Dr. Draelos noted.

Researchers are enrolling patients in phase III trials of AN2728, with data expected later in 2015, according to a press release from Anacor Pharmaceuticals, which makes the agent. Two carcinogenicity studies wrapped up earlier this year and yielded no evidence of malignancies, the company also reported.

Anacor sponsored the study. Dr. Draelos reported having served as a researcher for and receiving grant support from Anacor for the work.

SAN FRANCISCO – Gay and bisexual men are about six times more likely to use tanning beds than straight men, and have about twice the risk of skin cancer, according to a review of California Health Interview Surveys and the 2013 National Health Interview Survey, which captured results for almost 200,000 adult men and women.

Overall, 5-11% of gay and bisexual men reported using tanning beds, versus about 1-3% of straight men. The lifetime history of skin cancer was about 4.3-6.6% among sexual minority men, but about 2.7-3.3% among straight men. The differences were statistically significant.

The study doesn’t prove cause and effect, but it does define a previously unrecognized group at higher risk for skin cancer, and a potential reason for it. Investigator Dr. Sarah Arron, associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, explained what the findings mean for practicing dermatologists in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Meanwhile, the study found that gay and bisexual women were less likely than straight women to report using tanning beds, and less likely to report non-melanoma skin cancer.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – Gay and bisexual men are about six times more likely to use tanning beds than straight men, and have about twice the risk of skin cancer, according to a review of California Health Interview Surveys and the 2013 National Health Interview Survey, which captured results for almost 200,000 adult men and women.

Overall, 5-11% of gay and bisexual men reported using tanning beds, versus about 1-3% of straight men. The lifetime history of skin cancer was about 4.3-6.6% among sexual minority men, but about 2.7-3.3% among straight men. The differences were statistically significant.

The study doesn’t prove cause and effect, but it does define a previously unrecognized group at higher risk for skin cancer, and a potential reason for it. Investigator Dr. Sarah Arron, associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, explained what the findings mean for practicing dermatologists in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Meanwhile, the study found that gay and bisexual women were less likely than straight women to report using tanning beds, and less likely to report non-melanoma skin cancer.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – Gay and bisexual men are about six times more likely to use tanning beds than straight men, and have about twice the risk of skin cancer, according to a review of California Health Interview Surveys and the 2013 National Health Interview Survey, which captured results for almost 200,000 adult men and women.

Overall, 5-11% of gay and bisexual men reported using tanning beds, versus about 1-3% of straight men. The lifetime history of skin cancer was about 4.3-6.6% among sexual minority men, but about 2.7-3.3% among straight men. The differences were statistically significant.

The study doesn’t prove cause and effect, but it does define a previously unrecognized group at higher risk for skin cancer, and a potential reason for it. Investigator Dr. Sarah Arron, associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, explained what the findings mean for practicing dermatologists in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Meanwhile, the study found that gay and bisexual women were less likely than straight women to report using tanning beds, and less likely to report non-melanoma skin cancer.

aotto@frontlinemedcom.com

SAN FRANCISCO – Older white men are most at risk to die from skin cancer after organ transplants, especially if they’ve had a heart or lung transplant, according to a review of more than a half million U.S. organ transplants from 1987-2013.

It’s long been known that skin cancer is far more likely after solid organ transplants, but it hasn’t been clear until now who’s most likely to die from the disease.

Overall, there were 985 skin cancer deaths following transplant, or 32 deaths per 100,000 patient-years. For white men over 50 years old with thoracic transplants, however, there were 183 deaths per 100,000 patient-years. In contrast, the age-adjusted death rate from malignant melanoma in the general population is 2.7 per 100,000 patient-years.

Investigator Dr. Sarah Arron, associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, explained what to do about the findings in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

SAN FRANCISCO – Older white men are most at risk to die from skin cancer after organ transplants, especially if they’ve had a heart or lung transplant, according to a review of more than a half million U.S. organ transplants from 1987-2013.

It’s long been known that skin cancer is far more likely after solid organ transplants, but it hasn’t been clear until now who’s most likely to die from the disease.

Overall, there were 985 skin cancer deaths following transplant, or 32 deaths per 100,000 patient-years. For white men over 50 years old with thoracic transplants, however, there were 183 deaths per 100,000 patient-years. In contrast, the age-adjusted death rate from malignant melanoma in the general population is 2.7 per 100,000 patient-years.

Investigator Dr. Sarah Arron, associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, explained what to do about the findings in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

SAN FRANCISCO – Older white men are most at risk to die from skin cancer after organ transplants, especially if they’ve had a heart or lung transplant, according to a review of more than a half million U.S. organ transplants from 1987-2013.

It’s long been known that skin cancer is far more likely after solid organ transplants, but it hasn’t been clear until now who’s most likely to die from the disease.

Overall, there were 985 skin cancer deaths following transplant, or 32 deaths per 100,000 patient-years. For white men over 50 years old with thoracic transplants, however, there were 183 deaths per 100,000 patient-years. In contrast, the age-adjusted death rate from malignant melanoma in the general population is 2.7 per 100,000 patient-years.

Investigator Dr. Sarah Arron, associate professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, explained what to do about the findings in an interview at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.