Healio featured several September JDD studies in its recent dermatology news coverage including a study on using fractional lasers for skin cancer prevention. The study, “Fractional Laser for Prevention of Non-melanoma Skin Cancer,” by Erika McCormick and colleagues from the George Washington University Department of Dermatology, reviewed the mechanistic theory and evidence of use. The authors report that fractional lasers benefit skin cancer prevention by injuring the skin and promoting a regenerative wound healing response. Fractional lasers also modulate processes that contribute to photocarcinogenesis, including IGF-1 signaling. The authors state that further research is needed to determine treatment protocols including laser types, settings and treatment schedules.
Healio also wrote about a JDD study on the safety and efficacy of baricitinib for severe alopecia areata. The study, “Review of Baricitinib in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata,” by Rohan Singh and Marcia S. Driscoll, MD, PharmD, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, reviewed two identical phase III trials, BRAVE-AA1 and BRAVE-AA2. The authors found that,
compared with the placebo, a greater percentage of subjects who received baricitinib at 4 mg or 2 mg achieved a Severity of Alopecia Tool score equal to or less than 20. Adverse events in the trials were mild or moderate, including acne, elevations of low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and elevation of creatinine kinase. The authors wrote that, although baricitinib is a relatively tolerable and safe therapy for severe alopecia areata, additional study is needed to assess its long-term efficacy and safety.
A study on topicals for photoaging also made Healio news. The study, “Topical Treatments for Photoaged Skin” by Neil Sadick, MD, and colleagues, reviewed the safety and efficacy of over-the-counter products and prescription topicals for photoaging. The authors found that, though clinical data on the efficacy of over-the-counter and cosmeceutical products is generally lacking, research does support the use of topical retinoids including those only available by a prescription. The authors note that tazarotene 0.045% polymeric emulsion lotion, when used as a once-daily treatment, has recently shown significant photoaging improvements with 12 weeks of use. The lower-dose retinoid also has a favorable safety and tolerability profile.
Finally, Healio also wrote about a JDD study comparing two CaHA based fillers in their ability to stimulate in vitro collagen biosynthesis. The study, “Comparison of Physicochemical Characteristics and Biostimulatory Functions in Two Calcium Hydroxyapatite-Based Dermal Fillers,” by Cleiton Kunzler, PhD, and colleagues from Merz Aesthetics GmbH and Merz North America, compared a CaHA filler suspended in carboxymethylcellulose (CaHA/CMC) and one crosslinked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether to hyaluronic acid (CaHA/HA). The authors found that the composition of CaHA/CMC promoted significantly more collagen I biosynthesis compared with CaHA/HA. The authors note that this is an essential process for tissue augmentation and long-lasting results.
