FCPANP 2025 Conference Highlights

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Dr Scott Jackson explored how common medications can lead to protean cutaneous morphologies, often mimicking different skin diseases. He highlighted some of the most-talked-about drug-induced cutaneous disorders and provided some classical and some surprising associations. The session began with a discussion of drug-induced dermatomyositis (DM), which has been associated with hydroxyurea, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and statins. Statins received particular attention. Although typically used to lower cholesterol through inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, statin exposure can trigger an autoimmune response, leading to the production of anti–HMGCR antibodies. These antibodies target muscle tissue, resulting in necrotizing autoimmune myositis and a cutaneous eruption that overlaps with features of DM.Next, Dr Jackson covered drug-induced cutaneous lupus (DI-SCLE). Over the past decade, several medications have been implicated, including anti-TNF alpha agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Notably, PPIs have been increasingly linked to a wide range of cutaneous reactions, from fixed drug eruptions to acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP).He then discussed drug-induced asteatosis and eczematous dermatoses, citing associations between statins and diuretics with xerosis cutis, amlodipine with stasis dermatitis, calcium channel blockers with eczema, statins with eczematous dermatitis, and IVIG with dyshidrotic eczema. The lecture continued with an overview of drug associations with psoriasiform dermatitis and drug-induced psoriasis, including lithium, antimalarials, oral and topical beta-blockers, terbinafine, and, more recently, checkpoint inhibitors, TNF–alpha inhibitors, and bupropion. Dr Jackson also addressed drug-induced alopecia areata (DI-AA) associated with some of the most common monoclonal antibody therapies in dermatology. Drug-induced bullous pemphigoid (DI-BP) was another major topic. In one retrospective review, 20% of BP cases were drug-induced. Suspected culprits were dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors), furosemide, monoclonal antibodies used for psoriasis, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The lecture concluded with a comprehensive review of other drug-related dermatologic conditions, including fixed drug and food eruptions, lichenoid drug eruptions, drug-induced pseudo-lymphoma, pseudo-porphyria, DRESS syndrome, drug-induced vascular disorders, and drug-induced delusional parasitosis. Overall, through his lecture Dr Jackson emphasized the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for drug-induced causes when evaluating dermatologic conditions.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) remains one of the most challenging conditions in dermatology—not just clinically, but in its profound impact on patients’ physical, emotional, and social well-being. Curtis Chen, PA-C shared practical strategies for improving care, including how to navigate tough conversations around weight loss, fertility, and the often-asked question of whether HS can be cured. He also showcased impressive clinical outcomes using deroofing, offering both hope and real-world clinical insight.

Acne is a common diagnosis for dermatology providers, yet its management can be surprisingly complex—both in distinguishing it from similar conditions and in tailoring treatment across diverse age groups. Julie Harper, MD, delivered a clear and practical talk on acne management from neonates to adults. She began by covering neonatal (0–6 weeks) and infantile acne (6 weeks–1 year), highlighting a key question: when is isotretinoin appropriate in young children? Dr Harper then addressed another challenging area: acne management during pregnancy and lactation. She walked through the timing and reintroduction of isotretinoin postpartum, and reviewed the risks associated with tetracyclines and spironolactone. To simplify safe prescribing, she shared a helpful mnemonic: “3 for 3 trimesters,” referring to three topical treatments (azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin—ABC) and three antibiotics (amoxicillin [not in the first trimester], azithromycin, cephalexin, clindamycin, and erythromycin [not estolate, and not in the first trimester]—ACE). Finally, she turned to acne in non-pregnant, non-lactating adults, covering both established and emerging therapies. These included oral contraceptives, spironolactone, and clascoterone cream 1%, with thoughtful discussion of their benefits, drawbacks, and appropriate use.

Mark Lebwohl, MD, delivered a highly anticipated, high-yield presentation packed with clinical pearls and cutting-edge data. He began by highlighting new data on emerging treatments for basal cell carcinoma, including research on the use of L-carnitine to reduce muscle cramps in patients taking vismodegib. Dr Lebwohl then transitioned to psoriasis, discussing new guidelines from the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. These guidelines offer crucial direction for clinicians on whether to pause specific systemic immunomodulatory therapies in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis undergoing procedures. He went on to cover other essential regulatory updates related to the increasing use of immunomodulatory agents in dermatology, including the important issue of live vaccine administration in these patients. On the topic of vaccinations, Dr Lebwohl delved into timely discussions around herpes zoster vaccination, the elevated risk of herpes zoster among older patients with immune-mediated diseases, COVID-19 vaccination considerations in patients with psoriasis, and broader vaccination recommendations for adults receiving biologic and oral therapies for psoriasis.

While dermatology continues to evolve with cutting-edge therapies, Kristien Kucera, PA-C reminded us that the “oldies but goodies”—methotrexate (MTX), cyclosporine, and acitretin—still hold an essential place in clinical practice. She delivered a thorough, practical review of each medication’s mechanism of action, efficacy, contraindications, adverse effects, and monitoring protocols. For MTX, she detailed its historical background, dosing strategies, use of test doses, folic acid supplementation, baseline and ongoing lab work, and critical drug interactions that increase toxicity risk. Cyclosporine was reviewed with equal depth, including its transition from transplant medicine to dermatology. Acitretin’s use was discussed with attention to dosing nuances, teratogenic risks, and long-term safety. This session offered a high-yield refresher on integrating these time-tested agents into modern dermatologic care.

Immunology plays a significant role in dermatology, helping clinicians understand the mechanisms underlying many skin conditions and supporting the use of targeted cytokine therapies. In this lecture, Jason Hawkes, MD, MS, FAAD, shared a wealth of information to help dermatology providers learn and review the complex immunologic processes relevant to clinical practice. He offered clear explanations and illustrative diagrams of immune system pathways, while drawing clinical connections to conditions such as acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, generalized pustular psoriasis, and chronic spontaneous urticaria. Dr Hawkes also demonstrated how many of the latest treatments fit into these pathways, making the content both accessible and directly applicable to patient care.

Jason Hawkes, MD, MS, FAAD, and Kristin Sokol, MD, MS, MPH, delivered a comprehensive review of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), covering everything a dermatology provider needs to know—from diagnosis to emerging treatments. They defined CSU as chronic urticaria lasting more than six weeks, without an identifiable trigger, and characterized by wheals that typically resolve within 24 hours. The speakers discussed the latest clinical efficacy data on new and emerging CSU therapies, offered strategies for managing associated safety concerns, and provided guidance on personalizing treatment plans. The presentation reviewed the stepwise treatment approach to CSU developed as a joint initiative from allergy and dermatology organizations, which recommends beginning with second-generation antihistamines and progressing to omalizumab and cyclosporine, with omalizumab receiving the highest recommendation based on robust evidence. A meta-analysis of 67 real-world studies found no cases of anaphylaxis in omalizumab-treated CSU patients, with common adverse effects limited to headache, nasopharyngitis, and arthralgia. The lecture continued to discuss newly approved FDA therapies such as dupilumab, shown effective in the Phase 3 LIBERTY-CUPID Study C. Lastly, the lecture covered new CSU investigational medications such as remibrutinib, a highly selective BTK inhibitor supported by the REMIX-1 and -2 trials, along with several other agents currently in clinical trials.

James Del Rosso, DO, lit up the room with a rapid-fire tour of dermatology’s hottest updates, spanning acne, inflammatory skin conditions, and skin cancer. He kicked things off with tirbanibulin, now approved for large-field treatment of actinic keratosis (up to 100 cm²), then explored the latest updates on atopic dermatitis, highlighting long-term data on dupilumab (including re-initiation after discontinuation), and shared exciting efficacy results from IL-13 inhibitors tralokinumab and lebrikizumab, as well as JAK inhibitors upadacitinib and abrocitinib. Next up: alopecia areata—where Dr Del Rosso showcased groundbreaking data on deuruxolitinib, baricitinib, and ritlecitinib, while urging providers to look beyond the SALT score and focus on patient-centered outcomes. He maintained the momentum with an update on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), highlighting emerging insights into risk factors and disease mechanisms, as well as recent advances in treatment. These include FDA-approved monoclonal antibody therapies such as the IL-17 inhibitors secukinumab and bimekizumab, along with the investigational JAK1 inhibitor povorcitinib, which is currently in Phase 3 trials for moderate to severe HS.

In this dynamic session, Harrison Nguyen, MD, and Darrell S. Rigel, MD, MS, walked the audience through the latest in personalized skin cancer management using the 31-GEP test for melanoma and 40-GEP test for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Through real-world cases, they demonstrated how GEP testing provides powerful, guideline-informed insights—independent of traditional tumor features—to refine prognosis and guide treatment. The 31-GEP test, validated for Stage I–III melanoma, offers a 5-year recurrence risk based on 31 gene expressions, while the 40-GEP test stratifies SCC patients into risk classes that help predict both metastatic potential and the potential benefit from adjuvant radiation. Attendees also learned that patient enthusiasm for this testing is high—90% express a desire for it, and those who receive results, even high-risk ones, report no decision regret. This lecture offered valuable, clinically applicable insights into the evolving role of molecular diagnostics in dermatologic oncology.

In this insightful lecture, Evan Rieder, MD, dual board-certified in dermatology and psychiatry, shared practical, psychologically informed tips to help dermatologists navigate some of the most complex patient encounters. From setting time boundaries and regaining control of talkative patients, to recognizing when a mental health referral is needed, Dr Rieder broke down real-world strategies that enhance clinic efficiency and safeguard both patient and provider. He highlighted tools like “verbal valium” (breathing techniques, guided imagery, ASMR), emphasized the importance of screening for body dysmorphic disorder, and encouraged attendees to know their limits, offering guidance on when to ask for help or even resign from care. This talk reminded the audience that some of the hardest dermatology cases go beyond making a difficult diagnosis, and that effectively utilizing psychiatric principles in practice can improve patient care.

In this workshop on psoriasis, Lauren Miller, PA-C, and TJ Chao, PA-C, collaborated with the National Psoriasis Foundation to deliver an informative and engaging session covering the full spectrum of psoriasis care. The session began with an in-depth overview of the diagnosis of psoriasis. The presenters discussed the pathogenesis of the disease, emphasizing the role of genetic and environmental triggers in activating the Th17/IL-23 inflammatory pathway. They highlighted the significant burden of disease, affecting over 8 million people in the United States and 125 million worldwide. The workshop explored common comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, underscoring the importance of early recognition and management. After a brief intermission, the session resumed with a review of current treatment modalities and clinical guidelines for screening and treatment. Attendees were guided through illustrative case studies and clinical examples showcasing the diverse phenotypes of psoriasis, including scalp, inverse, guttate, erythrodermic, pustular, palmar/plantar, nail, and genital psoriasis. This comprehensive session provided attendees with practical tools and insights to better manage patients with psoriasis in clinical practice.

Tristan Hasbargen, PA-C, delivered an engaging and highly practical workshop and lecture on essential surgical dermatology skills, guiding attendees through biopsy techniques, scalpel and suture selection, incision and drainage tips, excision methods, and suturing approaches with a focus on avoiding common pitfalls and maximizing clinical success. Through clear, step-by-step diagrams and real-case visuals, he demystified punch sizes, suture types, and flap techniques—including advancement, rotation, and transposition flaps—offering not just the "how," but the "why" behind each choice. Attendees walked away with a toolkit of surgical pearls, visual demonstrations, and a deeper understanding of when and how to apply these skills for optimal outcomes.

The aesthetics workshop was a highlight of the conference, thanks to the dynamic trio of Heather Gates, PA-C, Tanya Patron, PA-C, and Gary Rubin, PA-C. Their expert-led sessions seamlessly blended informative lectures with live patient demonstrations, offering attendees a practical and engaging experience in aesthetic dermatology.Tanya Patron, PA-C, opened the workshop with a comprehensive session on the nonsurgical nose job. She expertly reviewed nasal anatomy, emphasizing critical vascular structures to avoid, and addressed one of the most serious risks of nasal filler—filler-associated blindness. Her thoughtful discussion included both prevention strategies and management techniques. Tanya also shared key pearls on achieving optimal technique, followed by examples that showcased the precision and artistry required for safe, effective results.Next, Gary Rubin, PA-C, delivered an in-depth dive into filler rheology—the study of how dermal fillers deform and flow based on their viscoelasticity and cohesivity, providing injectors with a deeper understanding of how different fillers behave and perform within facial tissues. He broke down complex concepts such as concentration, water affinity, cohesivity, G prime (G'), crosslinking, viscosity, and tan delta. Attendees walked away with a better understanding of how these properties impact filler performance and how to use this knowledge to make strategic product choices for optimal results.Heather Gates, PA-C, then took the stage to address neuromodulator complications. Her session covered recognition and management of challenging outcomes such as paradoxical masseteric bulging, lip ptosis, anisocoria, and eyelid ptosis. Her practical tips and clear explanations empowered attendees to practice more safely and confidently.