Dermtube recaps Highlights from the AAD Annual Meeting

Last month in San Francisco, the international dermatology community gathered for the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). With leadership elections in full swing, hundreds of sessions covering a variety of topics, and three large exhibit areas for industry, the meeting offered many educational and networking opportunities to attendees.

DermTube’s video daily coverage presented highlights from each day’s lectures, featuring on-site interviews with key presenters on a range of topics. Hosted by Joel Cohen, MD, the videos offer key insights and treatment pearls on some of the most important and controversial issues in the specialty.

Speaking candidly about acne controversies, Dr. Julie Harper identified what’s known and what is yet to be determined about one of the most common skin diseases. On the particular issue of antibiotics, Dr. Harper noted that the question of how much dermatologists should use them is still under debate. “The bigger discussion with antibiotics in acne right now is simply how much we use them—and if there is any chance that you can either shorten the duration of how much you use that antibiotic, co-prescribe with a benzoyl peroxide, which is is so important because we think that cuts down on the development of resistance, or just using something else,” explained Dr. Harper.

Addressing the latest advances in pediatric dermatology, Dr. Robert Sidbury specifically discussed new shifts in the realm of peanut allergy. “It’s been a topic of both huge medical and almost cultural significance, because it’s such an issue for parents and providers alike, and can of course be life threatening in certain instances,” said Dr. Sidbury. “We’ve made recommendations over the years as to how to approach peanut allergy based on fairly flimsy evidence, and those recommendations have changed over time, and a recent paper has made us rethink how we make that recommendation.”

In the aesthetic realm, Dr. Tina Alster discussed the potential for “megacombinations” in the use of device therapies. “I showed a series of cases where we did these ‘all in the same’ treatment sessions,” said Dr. Alster. “Everybody gets a lot of bang for their buck, so to speak. It seems like a lot, but it can be all done at once and patients really like it, because they just have that one recovery period.”

Speaking about the importance of setting appropriate expectations and explaining how various agents address the aging process, Dr. Sabrina Fabi, Co-Chair of the upcoming New Derm Live Meeting (www.newdermlive.com), noted that despite doctors being busy, taking the time is worth it. “It’s a little hard to spend 15 minutes in consultation perhaps explaining the aging face to the patient, but taking those few minutes spares us from hours of trying to explain why perhaps a microfocused ultrasound or neuromodulator treatment didn’t address all of the things they thought it would address,” says Dr. Fabi.

To see the full interviews with these experts and others, visit DermTube.com.

DermTube’s coverage of the American Academy of Dermatology 2015 Annual Meeting is not endorsed by or affiliated with the American Academy of Dermatology.

Nanotechnology Study Offers New Direction for Wound Healing Therapy

A novel nanoparticle technology appears to promote wound healing and has led researchers to a new therapeutic target for wound healing, a new study says.

Writing in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the study authors identify the previously uncharacterized microtubule-severing enzyme, Fidgetin-like 2 (FL2), described as a fundamental regulator of cell migration. In vitro, depletion of FL2 from mammalian tissue culture cells results in a more than two-fold increase in the rate of cell movement, they write. “Immunofluorescence analyses indicate that FL2 normally localizes to the cell edge, importantly to the leading edge of polarized cells, where it regulates the organization and dynamics of the microtubule cytoskeleton.”

For the current study, researchers used a nanoparticle-based siRNA delivery platform to locally deplete FL2 in both murine full-thickness excisional and burn wounds. They then applied FL2 siRNA nanoparticles topically to either wound type. Topical nanoparticle delivery resulted in significant enhancement in the rate and quality of wound closure both clinically and histologically relative to controls. 

In Memoriam: Fredric Brandt, MD

Dr. Fredric Brandt, noted dermatologist and pioneer in the use of botulinum toxins for cosmetic indications, died earlier this month. Dr. Brandt maintained a prominent public image among celebrities as well as his peers, earning a reputation as a leading injector of botulinum toxins and dermal fillers. In addition to maintaining robust cosmetic practices in both Miami and New York, Dr. Brandt authored two books on skin aging and youthful appearance. Beyond his public profile, Dr. Brandt was a frequent lecturer at academic meetings and was a key investigator on the clinical trials for Botox Cosmetic as well as other cosmetic injectable agents.

“Dermatology is sad and will be for some time,” said Heidi Waldorf, MD, Co-Chief Medical Editor of Modern Aesthetics® magazine. “Fred was a brilliant cosmetic dermatologist. He independently changed the way we use toxins and injectables and their public acceptance. In addition to his clinical skills, he had the gift of speaking and lecturing in a way that was accessible to all,” Dr. Waldorf observed. “But what made him truly special was his kindness and gentleness. He greeted everyone with a smile and sparkling eyes. He was loved by so many and I feel blessed to have known him.”

Promius Pharma Launches Zenatane 30mg Dose

Promius Pharma, LLC has announced that Zenatane™(Isotretinoin Capsules USP) are now available in a 30mg dose. Zenatane, AB rated equivalent to Accutane 30mg, has been introduced in response to dermatologists who have continued to request this strength of the drug. 

Zenatane 30mg will also be supported by The Promius Promise, a pharmacy service designed specifically to support Zenatane prescribers and patients. The Promius Promise program is designed to assist with patient education about treatment requirements and deliver Zenatane within 24 hours to US locations, at a reduced, if not zero, out of pocket expense, for eligible patients. 

Noninvasive Skin Melanoma Gene Test Improves Accuracy of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Predicting Metastasis

A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology shows that a new gene expression profile (GEP) test for cutaneous (skin) melanoma improved the prognostic accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in identifying patients at high risk of their cancer spreading. The GEP test was able to identify as high risk a significant number of patients whose sentinel lymph node biopsy results did not indicate any increased risk, but who subsequently developed metastatic disease. Further, patients who were SLNB negative and also predicted to be low risk using the GEP test had lower rates of disease progression than the SLNB negative group as a whole.

To learn more about the study and the test, visit
www.dermTube.com and watch DermWireTV, featuring a interview with study investigator, Dr. Pedram Gerami.n