Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

AAD VMX 2021 was a well-organised virtual AAD. It also provided continuous medical education on dermatology in its broadest sense. Innovations were reported in various areas of dermatology. In particular, the development of new treatments for inflammatory diseases: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne.

For the treatment of psoriasis, the anti-IL-17A and F inhibitor bimekizumab has showed superior efficacy compared with secukinumab. The TYK2 inhibitor deucravacitinib proved an effective oral treatment in psoriasis. Also presented were innovative topical treatments such as the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast. In generalised pustular psoriasis, the IL-36 inhibitor imsidolimab is in a phase of investigation. Psoriasis is more than skin deep. Two separate studies demonstrated that therapy with a biologic led to a decrease in the inflammatory process that stabilises atherosclerotic plaques in patients with psoriasis.

In contrast to what has been suggested in the past, COVID-19 is not so seldom in children and cutaneous manifestations are more frequent in children than in adults. For children and adults: What to do if patients are on immunomodulatory treatments? Patients with psoriatic disease should stay on their treatment during the pandemic unless they become acutely infected. Psoriasis patients should further take any mRNA-based vaccine as soon as offered.

In atopic dermatitis, new small molecules, particularly JAK inhibitors, are innovating the treatment.

Important innovations were presented on acne. Clascoterone is an exciting new topical anti-androgen. Trifarotene is an innovative topical retinoid. Sarecycline is a small spectrum tetracycline. Efficacy has been shown for these new principles.

Attention at the AAD was also given to areas which may not be regarded as dermatological therapy. Sofpironium gel proved effective and well tolerated in primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Also sunscreens were highlighted: safety aspects, screening visible light, tanning, and the advice to take vitamin D supplements in case patient are shielding rigorously from the sun.

AAD 2021 provided us with insights into innovative treatments and skin care and remains a resource for continual education at the highest level.

Best Regards,

Prof. 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 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.

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Posted on 3 June 20217 June 2021