Promising Investigational Topicals for PsO

“It’s going to be a very exciting year or two ahead of us, because there has been a lot of innovation in psoriasis, continuing with biologics, small molecules, and, just as importantly, topical therapies…Tapinarof is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist—novel mechanism of action in that we have never seen a specific molecule designed/packaged into a cream once-daily, that gets upwards of 40 percent of patients clear or almost clear. Interestingly, this is a topical that might keep people clear even after they stop using it, and [with] none of the baggage of topical steroids. A second topical that is non-steroidal, about to be launched in psoriasis is roflumilast. Roflumilast is a PDE-4 inhibitor, a mechanism of action we know from apremilast. This is a topical PDE-4 inhibitor also very respectable efficacy, where better than a third to 40 percent of patients are going to be clear or almost clear, and another drug that has great tolerability.”

—Bruce Strober, MD, PhD

Understanding Pain in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

“We’ve been learning about disease mechanisms of HS, and this has led to the development of novel treatments for HS. And in this context, we have been developing guidelines for the treatment of HS and the screening of HS patients for comorbidities that can be improved upon and ultimately improve the patient’s quality of life…We are now beginning to understand that HS pain is both acute and chronic and is not only nociceptive, meaning an aching and gnawing pain due to tissue damage, but also neuropathic—a burning type of pain due to somatosensory nervous system dysfunction. Understanding HS pain, which is so critical to improving quality of life for patients living with HS, we are beginning to think through more effective pain management strategies for patients suffering with this condition.”

—Haley Naik, MD

Broad Applications for JAKs

“JAK inhibitors are going to change the way we think about refractory disease, whether it’s alopecia areata, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, derm/rheum diseases, such as dermatomyositis, lupus, or the interferonopathies, or granulomatous disease and also other diseases. JAK inhibitors are showing really amazing efficacy across this incredibly broad range of diseases. And again, these are diseases that are frequently awful, bring significant discomfort and negative impact on quality of life to our patients, and for which we have often or usually very little to offer our patients.”

—Brett King, MD, PhD

Broadening Access to Care

“As we think about broadening access to all people of all identities, we have to understand the importance of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment that affirms the dignity and humanity of everyone. And that includes LGBTQ/SGM people. Some examples of the unique healthcare needs that impact these individuals: we can look at acne in the transgender population, which is disproportionately represented in transgender men who happen to be taking testosterone for gender affirming medical therapy.”

—Klint Peebles, MD