Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

The 28th EADV Congress brought innovations to dermatologists in many respects. In this overview, we have attempted to be balanced and to focus on the presentations which are practically relevant. The new insights into the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases have provided biomarkers that are becoming significant to dermatology. Introduction of new treatments in inflammatory dermatoses requires a critical and adequate positioning of new treatments in daily practice.

In particular in psoriasis, the innovations found their way to real clinical practice: In children with psoriasis anti-IL-17 are currently explored. On ixekizumab, 78% of children with psoriasis reached a PASI 90 response. Comorbidities are also relevant to psoriasis. Studies on the efficacy of treatments in comorbid patients was similar to the efficacy in patients without comorbidities. A remarkable study was presented, showing that patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with adalimumab had a 58% lower standardised mortality rate compared with the general population. Comorbidities matter and evidence is accumulating that adequate treatment of psoriasis may prevent their development. In atopic dermatitis, treatment innovation is a revolution: various JAK inhibitors, anti-IL-4/IL-13, PDE4 inhibitors, and IL-1 alpha blockade.

Furthermore, this overview provides information on: photo-protection by systemic treatment, comorbidities in urticaria, and a “tracker” to classify rosacea by phenotype, which makes sense as a subdivision in light of treatment selection. The future for inflammatory dermatoses of the skin is bright.

Best regards,

Prof. Peter C.M. 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 board member of various international societies. Current interests are: pathogenesis and development of biomarkers for psoriasis; real clinical practise 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 9 October, 201911 March, 2021