Letter from the Editor

Dear colleagues,



From 09–10 March 2023, the Dutch Dermatology Days took place
in Ermelo. A yearly event that means a lot to the Dutch dermatologist, from getting new information on dermatology, organisational aspects and just to see each other and enjoy the Dutch collegiality between dermatologists.

During the previous 20 years, biologics have innovated our therapeutical potential in psoriasis. Subsquently, hydradenitis chronica suppurativa was innovated by treatment with anti-TNFs. More recently, biologics became available for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Another important development are small molecules, in particular Janus kinase inhibitors.
Different small molecules became available for both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, targeted at pathways relevant for the disease. In this overview, we provide more information on Janus kinase inhibitors.

A more recent development is the application of new targeted therapies in various inflammatory dermatoses of the skin. It is important to see that the whole field of inflammatory dermatoses is moving. The question is to what extent do we have the resources to pay for these innovations? It is important to realise that we have to look at the balance between value and cost. A dermatologist is creating value by prescribing the medications which are appropriate. “Costs are what you pay, and
value is what you get.”

In this review, we have selected aspects that matter in practice. With respect to dermato-oncology: the role of the surgeon in stage I-II melanomas was discussed, especially with reference to re-excisions, sentinel node procedures, and adjuvant therapy. The follow-up of patients with melanoma was presented, critically addressing the question “which of the 10,000 to 100,000 patients with multiple atypical naevi in the Netherlands should be screened and how frequently should we provide follow-up visitations for our patients with melanoma?” The association between nutrition and the skin was addressed with special attention for obesity.

The frequency of scabies is rising. Therefore, this topic was revisited around the question of “Therapy failure or resistance?” Life-threatening infections of the skin are a real threat and dermatologists should know about the infections and the mechanisms of how these are life-threatening.

Best regards,

Peter CM van de Kerkhof

 

Biography

Peter C.M. van de Kerkhof is emeritus Professor of Dermatology and immediate past chairman of the Department of Dermatology of Radboud University Nijmegen. He is currently the coordinating Medical Officer of the International Psoriasis Council and chair of the scientific advisory board of the Dutch burn association. He has been working for many years on the pathogenesis and treatment of psoriasis. He has published more than 700 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has given many presentations on invitation at international conferences. He has served as president of the ESDR, EDF, and the International Psoriasis Council, and was a board member of various international societies. Current interests are pathogenesis and development of biomarkers for psoriasis; real clinical practice research; and personalised medicine.

Conflict of Interest Statement:Consultancy services for: Celgene, Almirall, Amgen, Pfizer, Philips, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Novartis, Janssen Biotech, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma,Sandoz, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Sandoz, Bristol Meyer Squibb, UCB, Dermavant.Speaker services for: Celgene, Almirall, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Jansen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Sandoz, Bristol Meyer Squibb.



Posted on 11 May 202311 May 2023