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Letter from the Editor

Editor
Prof. Peter van de Kerkhof
Conference
EADV 2020
Dear Reader,

The EADV 2020 as virtual meeting was a new experience.  Who could have anticipated one year ago that the next EADV would be entirely virtual? The clear disadvantage of virtual meetings is that we miss the contact with our colleagues. The advantage is that it is possible to follow lectures and see posters not only during the few days of the congress, but for several months afterwards, which enables us to be informed on many more lectures.

In this EADV report, we selected topics on COVID-19 and some major innovations in dermatology. New insights into the course of COVID-19 during immunosuppressive treatments was a central theme at this congress. Highly relevant communications have provided us with evidence on which to base our decisions in patient care.

The various Janus kinase inhibitors are an important development, bringing us innovations in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, hand eczema, and other inflammatory diseases. Several Janus kinase inhibitors with selectivity for JAK 1, 2, and 3 and TYK 2 inhibitors are in development.

The development of biologics has not come to an end in psoriasis with an anti-IL-17A-F (bimekizumab) and an anti-IL-23 treatment (mirikizumab). Furthermore, several presentations provided new insights in the treatment selection in psoriasis with 11 biologics available in most European countries. Also in atopic dermatitis, biologics targeted at IL-4 and 13, IL-22, and IL-31 hold promise for the future. In urticaria, results of ligelizumab were presented as a next biologic.

Personalised medicine received attention with the development of biomarkers in several inflammatory diseases, including urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

Moreover, bacterial resistance in infectious diseases bacterial resistance is a growing concern. Due to the rise in bacterial resistance, it has been advised to restrict the use of topical antibiotics to treatment and to refrain from antibiotics as prevention. Attention for refugees and homeless people is important with respect to scabies.

The experience of this virtual meeting had taught us to use the positive aspects of virtual congress communication. In the future, innovative virtual offerings can enrich the classical face-to-face meetings. It is important to make the best of the real and virtual worlds.

 

Best Regards,

Prof. Peter C.M. van de Kerkof

 

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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