Our current Author Spotlight features David Ciocon MD, one of the co-authors of “Racial Disparities in United States Clinical Trial Enrollment for Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome,” published in JDD’s February 2026 issue. In addition to his article, Dr. Ciocon answered questions around the current state of dermatology and how the field is adapting to new advances in technology and treatments. 

In your experience, what is one commonly overlooked factor in diagnosing or managing a specific skin condition that you think deserves more attention?

Delayed diagnosis of CTCL in Black patients may be attributed in part to limited representation of skin of color in dermatologic education materials. Maintaining a lower threshold for biopsy in cases of ambiguity, especially in patients with skin of color, is a practical step toward reducing this disparity.

Of all your research findings, are there any surprising or unexpected results that changed your perspective on the topic?

The absence of statistically significant differences in exclusion criteria between low- and high-enrolling trials was unexpected, given the higher burden of comorbidities among Black patients. This finding suggests that inequitable enrollment may be driven less by trial design and more by factors within the recruitment process.

How do you see artificial intelligence and digital dermatology evolving in clinical practice over the next five years?

Artificial intelligence has the potential to serve as a support tool in dermatology, particularly in those cases of diagnostic uncertainty. When thoughtfully developed and validated across diverse skin types, AI may help prompt earlier biopsy thereby reducing diagnostic delays in CTCL among patients with skin of color.

If you could implement one immediate policy change to improve dermatologic care on a broader scale, what would it be and why?
Federal regulatory agencies have the power to address disparities in clinical trial enrollment by publishing standards for minority inclusion based on feasibility and makeup of target population for the drug being evaluated. Without such standards, it remains difficult for researchers to strategize how they will meet diverse trial enrollment before a trial is underway.

Are there any misconceptions among dermatologists or patients about a specific treatment or condition that you’d like to address?
Disparities in trial enrollment are often attributed to patient mistrust in our medical system, yet studies have demonstrated comparable willingness to participate among Black and White patients. Addressing this misconception may help reduce provider-level bias in the decision to refer patients to clinical trials.

How do you navigate the challenge of balancing efficacy and accessibility when recommending treatments to patients from diverse backgrounds?

Balancing efficacy and accessibility requires moving beyond a purely diagnose-and-treat model to include patient education, advocacy, and an understanding of the complex circumstances influencing access to care. In practice, this means individualizing treatment recommendations based on disease severity, comorbidities, and each patient’s specific goals and constraints, among other factors.

What role do you think social determinants of health play in dermatologic treatment outcomes, and how can dermatologists better address these challenges?
Social determinants of health play a significant role in CTCL outcomes by influencing timeliness of diagnosis, access to specialty care, and the feasibility of long-term treatments. Dermatologists can help address these challenges through earlier biopsy, thorough patient education, and proactive coordination of care to reduce barriers across all stages from presentation and follow-up to treatment adherence and beyond.

If you could collaborate with any other specialty or field to advance dermatologic research, which would it be and why?
In the context of disparities in CTCL clinical trial enrollment, close collaboration with oncology is particularly valuable for identifying appropriate trials and ensuring timely referrals.