Healio covered a JDD study on the impact of an increased dose of adalimumab in hidradenitis suppurativa patients who are overweight or obese. Researchers from the University of California San Francisco, Drexel University and Kaiser Permanente Fremont Medical Center wrote, “Increased Doses of Adalimumab are Associated With Clinical Improvement of Hidradenitis Suppurativa.” The study was a dual-center retrospective chart review of eight patients with a median body mass index of 36.6 who were prescribed adalimumab 80 mg/week after experiencing no improvements in disease severity while on the 40mg/week dose. Patients on the increased dose experienced improvements in symptoms and in their HS-Physician Global Assessment. In addition, all five patients with documented lesion counts achieved HS Clinical Response. Adalimumab is not prescribed using weight-based dosing despite a high prevalence of obesity in HS patients. Researchers believe future randomized controlled trials should examine weight-based dosing of adalimumab as appropriate dosage prescribed early in the disease may impact disease progression, scarring and disfigurement.
Healio also wrote about a JDD study on a topical treatment for infantile hemangiomas. Fariha Anwar and colleagues wrote, “Topical Application of 0.5% Timolol Maleate Hydrogel for the Treatment of Superficial Infantile Hemangiomas.” In the study, nearly 150 infants diagnosed with superficial cutaneous hemangiomas received a thin layer of timolol maleate 0.5% hydrogel applied to the entire surface of their hemangioma three times a day. Digital photographs and measurements of the hemangiomas were taken every month for up to six months. More than 60% of the patients (89) showed an excellent response, 30% (44) showed a good response, and 8% (12) showed no response to the treatment. No patients in the study experienced cardiovascular side effects. Researchers wrote that further randomized controlled trials should compare the topical’s efficacy compared to placebo or no intervention. The researchers believe topicals may be a more desirable treatment option compared to oral beta blockers because of the lower rate of systemic side effects.
And finally, Healio reported on a JDD study about diacerin 1% for severe epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Joyce Teng, MD, PhD, and colleagues wrote, “Diacerein 1% Ointment for the Treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.” Researchers conducted a double-blind study of 54 patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex who were randomized to diacerin 1% or a vehicle ointment once a day. Investigators found no difference in the proportion of patients achieving key efficacy endpoints between the two groups, and no difference in emergent adverse events. Since previous studies have a shown a positive impact in using topical diacerin 1% for epidermolysis bullosa simplex, the authors hope further studies can provide insight on the effects of diacerin on the disease.
