Several media outlets covered an August Journal of Drugs in Dermatology survey on the perceived dermatologic side effects of cancer treatments and how those perceptions could impact a person’s decision to undergo cancer-fighting care. The ASCO Post, The Dermatology Digest, MSN, and Medical Professionals Reference highlighted the study, “Perceptions and Knowledge of Dermatologic Side Effects of Anti-Cancer Therapies: A Pilot Survey.” Researchers from the GWU School of Medicine & Health Sciences and Georgetown University School of Medicine surveyed adult attendees of health fairs in medically underserved areas of Washington, D.C. Researchers found many survey participants overestimated the prevalence of skin, hair, and nail side effects of cancer treatment. Up to one-third of participants, including those who were cancer survivors, reported that they would hypothetically decline anti-cancer therapies due to dermatologic side effects. Of the cancer survivors surveyed, half never saw a dermatologist while receiving oncology care. The authors recommend stronger partnerships between dermatologists, oncologists, and primary care doctors to better educate and support patients when deciding whether to pursue cancer treatment.
Healio featured a July JDD study on upadacitinib for chronic hand eczema. The study, “Treating Chronic Hand Eczema with Upadacitinib: Insights from Clinical Trials and Real-World Experience,” analyzed studies evaluating treatments for chronic hand eczema and found patients treated with upadacitinib experienced rapid and sustained relief from their lesions. Data from two phase 3 randomized controlled trials of upadacitinib in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis found rapid improvement in patients who also had chronic hand eczema as early as week 1 no matter if they received a 15 mg or 30 mg dose. By week 8, up to 83% of patients on upadacitinib achieved a statistically significant improvement in their chronic hand eczema, and these benefits were sustained through week 16. In addition, in real-world clinical cases of chronic hand eczema patients on upadacitinib, patients experienced marked symptom relief within days of starting the oral medication. Researchers note that the once-daily oral dosing of upadacitinib offers potential advantages in medication adherence over topical treatments.
Healio also wrote about a July JDD study on dermatological procedures as gender affirming care. The study, “Dermatological Procedures as Gender-Affirming Care: Reframing “Cosmetic” Care Among Transgender Men and Women,” was conducted by researchers at the GWU School of Medicine & Health Sciences and Virginia Tech. A survey of transgender respondents who had received dermatologic procedures found nearly 82% reported their personal experiences with gender dysphoria played a role in their decision to pursue dermatological procedures. Transgender men were significantly more likely than transgender women to pursue dermatological care due to gender dysphoria and for the purpose of gender-affirming care. The most common influencing factors include gender-affirming care, boosting self-esteem, and facial feminization or masculinization. The authors write that the results show that, in this patient population, dermatological procedures should be considered as more than “cosmetic” as these procedures also help address individual and sociocultural stressors associated with transitioning.
