This 4-part lecture series built on “What Did 2024 Bring to the Table in Dermatology – Part 1” and provided even more updates on dermatology advancements. Dr Lisa Swanson started the series with updates on several treatments for pediatric patients for seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis (AD), and psoriasis. Roflumilast was recently FDA approved for patients 9 years and above for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. In regards to dupilumab for AD treatment, studies have shown that it decreases the risk of atopic march for patients with AD and reduces risk of asthma development. Other studies have concluded that patients taking dupilumab can have vaccines (including live) while receiving treatment. Beyond dupilumab, there are more AD treatments on the horizon for pediatric patients. Lebrikizumab has been approved for patients with AD ages 12 and older, and trials for JAK inhibitors are beginning. Strides have also been made in the realm of pediatric psoriasis—apremilast (now in trials) and spesolimab (now FDA approved) are the latest medications for psoriasis and generalized pustular psoriasis. Overall, Dr Swanson provides inspirational patient stories that motivate providers to continue fighting for patients’ well-being. 

Next up, Dr David E. Cohen presented the updated Guidelines of Care by the American Academy of Dermatology for AD, which now include recommendations for new topical and systemic biologic therapies. For systemic therapy, several biologics and JAK inhibitors have a ‘strong’ strength of evidence rating for moderate-to-severe AD. When comparing the recommended systemic therapies for moderate-to-severe AD, upadacitinib had the best efficacy in achieving EASI-75 and -90. Of note, systemic corticosteroids were conditionally recommended against for use in AD. Dr Cohen noted that JAK inhibitors have some potential safety concerns, including serious side effects of cardiovascular disorders, blood clots, and cancer; therefore, JAK inhibitors should be started at the lowest dose and considered when other treatments have failed. 

Dr Laura K. Ferris presented the latest developments in melanoma and skin cancer treatment. Ferris discussed individualized neoantigen therapy with mRNA-4157 + pembrolizumab for melanoma, neoadjuvant therapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab (IPI + NIVO) for Stage III melanoma, and vismodegib and radiation for basal cell carcinoma. She also explored the role of advances in technology for melanoma diagnosis with 31-gene expression profiles (GEPs), 23-GEP, and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as the technologies with the highest strength of recommendation. 

Dr Emmy Graber rounded out the series by discussing advancements in acne and rosacea treatments. She discussed the FDA approval of a new triple combination topical gel for moderate-to-severe acne (clindamycin/adapalene/benzoyl peroxide). Comparison studies demonstrated higher efficacy of the triple therapy as compared to two-product combined therapies. Graber also presented the promising results of DFD-29, a modified-release minocycline capsule for rosacea, which outperformed doxycycline in clinical trials.