Category Archives: Dermatology

Dermatology

Do Spray Sunscreens Actually Work Well? – Verywell Health

Key Takeaways

Spray sunscreens, also known as aerosol sunscreens, have been gaining popularity as a convenient sun protection tool without the sticky hassle of lotion sunscreen. Some companies are even promoting facial sunscreen sprays with added benefits, such as a matte finish or hydrating glow.

But some spray sunscreens have been recalled for having cancer-causing ingredients, and they may not be as effective as regular lotion formulas. Heres a guide on how to choose the right spray sunscreen and use it properly, according to dermatologists.

You have to rub the spray sunscreen in after spraying it on your skin and theres no such thing as a no rub formula, according to Steve Daveluy, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and an associate professor in dermatology at Wayne State University.

You should spray an even coat before rubbing to avoid uneven coverage and burns, Daveluy added. If its windy outside, spray the sunscreen on your hands and rub it onto your skin. Even if its a facial spray, avoid spraying it directly on your face and use your hands to apply the sunscreen instead.

Anne Chapas, MD, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, said parents should also be aware of the direction the wind is blowing when applying spray sunscreen on children.

Daveluy said spray sunscreens work just as well as creams or lotions as long as you use them correctly. But try to look for a spray thats made without an aerosol propellant, which may dilute the sunscreen and harm the environment.

Propellant was responsible for benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, found in some recalled spray sunscreens, Daveluy said. While benzene wasnt an added ingredient in these sunscreens, it could have been a byproduct or contamination from propellant.

The levels of benzene found in the recalled sunscreens were also not as high as what people would have been exposed to in gasoline, paints, glues, and cigarette smoke, Daveluy explained.

The biggest downside to using a spray sunscreen is that youre prone to applying the product unevenly and incorrectly.

Chapas said its difficult to know if youve used enough sunscreen to cover all the sun-exposed areas of the body and you might waste more product if you need to use multiple coats.

Theres also the risk of inhaling the spray. While spray sunscreens are safe for our skin and bodies, they shouldnt be consumed or inhaled. Daveluy said to make sure you never spray directly toward your head or face, especially when its windy.

You should also avoid using spray sunscreens near an open flame because the alcohol content in the product is flammable.

Spray sunscreens do have some advantages over traditional cream or lotion sunscreens.

Daveluy said he loves using spray sunscreen when hes working out or doing any outdoor activities because its easier to apply over sweaty, moist skin.

For Chapas, spray sunscreens are good for those in a hurry because they dry quickly. They can also cover certain body parts that are harder to reach with hands.

Mineral sunscreens, including spray ones, are becoming popular because they work well for sensitive skin. With zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient, mineral sunscreens are less likely to cause irritation and rashes.

Daveluy said this type of sunscreen is safer than safe because the ingredients are also used in diaper rash cream for babies.

Chapas added that mineral sunscreens are also safer for the environment, especially if youre diving or swimming.

Whether you decide to go with a spray sunscreen this summer or not, the best product is the one that you like and want to use. For any sunscreen, its all about finding something you like so that you will use it regularly, Daveluy said.

Spray sunscreens can offer effective sun protection if used correctly. But be careful not to spray the product directly onto your face or head, especially when it's windy. You should also avoid using it near an open flame to avoid burn risks.

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Do Spray Sunscreens Actually Work Well? - Verywell Health

Dermatology

The Role of Exercise in Atopic Dermatitis, Spontaneous Urticaria – Dermatology Times

While engaging in physical activity can improve mental health symptoms, researchers said it can also exacerbate certain skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).

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In a study,1 researchers examined prior research related to a correlation between the 2, including existing literature on the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise and reduced inflammation and dermatitis symptoms in exercising mice. Using this existing knowledge coupled with the knowledge that physical activity and exertion can lead to exacerbated atopic dermatitis and lead to itchy hives in patience with CSU, researchers sought to further examine the correlation.

Furthermore, they sought to analyze exercise patterns among patients with atopic dermatitis and CSU, citing limited existing research on the subject.

In the cross-sectional study, researchers developed a questionnaire based off of patient-reported outcome measures.

135 patients with atopic dermatitis and 131 patients with CSU were enrolled in the study from outpatient clinics and private dermatology clinics in Aarhus, Denmark. Participants were required to be at least 18 years of age and meet the diagnostic criteria of either condition.

Researchers collected several pieces of information, including demographic data, skin disease onset and treatment data, and exercise habits or observations. This included asking participants to describe whether their personal condition was affected by exercise.

They also utilized several scales and indexes, including:

Of the 135 participants with atopic dermatitis included in the study, 104 reported regular exercise habits. Of these, 62% reported receiving biological treatments, and 81% reported experiencing exacerbation of their condition due to exercise. These numbers were significantly lower in those with atopic dermatitis who did not exercise regularly.

Compared to their non-exercising counterparts, participants with atopic dermatitis who engaged in regular exercise reported lower symptom rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia, activity impairment, and disease severity. However, their average DLQI and EASI scores were higher than those who did not exercise.

Additionally, when exacerbation of their disease through sweat and exercise was taken into account, patients with atopic dermatitis reported higher DLQI and POEM scores, as well as higher work impairment and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Of the 131 participants with CSU included in the study, 97 reported regular exercise habits. Of these, 52% reported receiving biological treatments, and 70% reported experiencing cholinergic urticaria, or itchy hives brought on by exertion.

Compared to their non-exercising counterparts, participants with CSU who engaged in regular exercise reported lower symptom rates of depression, insomnia, and work impairment. They also reported a lower average UCT disease control score. However, their average DLQI, activity impairment, and UAS7 disease severity scores were higher than those who did not exercise.

Additionally, when exacerbation of their disease through sweat and exercise was taken into account, patients with CSU reported higher DLQI scores, work impairment, activity impairment, and UCT and UAS7 disease severity scores, as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

We found that exercising AD [atopic dermatitis] patients had significantly fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety and significantly less insomnia, though their disease severity did not differ from that of the non-exercising AD patients, study authors wrote. A large proportion of patients experienced exacerbation of AD in relation to exercising and sweating. Yet, this did not affect disease severity, QoL [quality of life], or mental health.

Researchers also noted that patients with atopic dermatitis typically exert less physical activity than the general population.

Potential study limitations, as noted by the authors, included participants having potentially received effective atopic dermatitis treatment in the hospital and clinical settings they were recruited from, questionnaire length, and a lack of clarity in the causality between exercise and other parameters.

It seems as if CSU patients, who are limited in their exertion of exercise, are additionally psychologically oppressed by the lifestyle constraints of their disease, study authors wrote. The benefits of exercise may be unobtainable due to the nature of CSU.

Reference

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The Role of Exercise in Atopic Dermatitis, Spontaneous Urticaria - Dermatology Times

Dermatology

New Class of Immunotherapy May Help Fight Aggressive Skin Cancer – Dermatology Times

A new class of immunotherapy shows promising results in patients who have the most aggressive form of skin cancer.1

from Kings College London and Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust studied whether a novel antibody can target and treat aggressive melanomas. According to study results, it activates the immune response to fight cancer and slows down the growth of melanoma in mice.

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer with poor survival rates for half of patients within five-years of diagnosis. Although there has been substantial progress in developing immunotherapies, many patients' tumors do not respond. Study investigators stated this drug could benefit those patients with melanoma who do not respond to existing treatment.

While many existing immunotherapies used in cancer treatment belong to the antibody type called IgG, researchers at King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' developed an IgE antibody which can utilize the patient's own immune system to attack cancer in a different way. It targets the marker on the surface of melanoma cells, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), which is found in up to 70% of cases. CSPG4 IgE treatment slowed cancer growth in mice implanted with humanimmune cells, including cells from patients with melanoma. An allergy test conducted with patient blood found that CSPG4 IgE did not activatewhite blood cellscalled basophils, indicating that the therapy may be safe to take.

Sophia Karagiannis, MD, and professor of dermatology at St. Johns Institute of Dermatology at Kings College London stated that available treatments for advanced melanoma fail to work for 40% of patients. However, the studys findings demonstrate that the human immune system responds differently in the presence of IgE antibody-based drugs, which suggests the potential for IgE antibodies to generate an effective response against melanoma.

Reference

1. Chauhan, J., Grandits, M., Palhares, et al.Anti-cancer pro-inflammatory effects of an IgE antibody targeting the melanoma-associated antigen chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4.Nat Commun14, 2192 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37811-3

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New Class of Immunotherapy May Help Fight Aggressive Skin Cancer - Dermatology Times

Dermatology

Mild-to-Moderate Stress Associated With Skin Aging Manifestations – Dermatology Times

Individuals experiencing mild-to-severe levels of psychological stress may also experience a direct link to certain skin aging manifestations.

Syda Productions/AdobeStock

In one study,1 researchers sought to determine a possible association between an individuals perception of their stress level and any subsequent signs of skin aging.

Researchers conducted cross-sectional market research in China and Japan via noninterventional, nonclinical, low-risk online consumer research surveys. All survey responses were kept anonymous and were unable to be linked with individual respondents.

Prospective participants identified as women and were between the ages of 18 to 34. Researchers invited women of this demographic to participate if they were members of an IQVIA online market research panel. Other eligibility criteria included residence in a major city, a self-reported medical history free of illnesses and skin disorders, and a lack of affiliation or previous participation in skin product research.

The survey, which consisted of 24 questions, included opportunities for both open-ended and structured responses. It was split into 3 parts, each covering topics such as skin health, mental health and stress, and participant demographics.

Researchers evaluated the mental health and stress responses using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5).

Additionally, researchers also invited members of a healthcare professional online market research panel, specifically dermatologists and psychologists, to participate in a secondary survey. Physician eligibility criteria included residence in a major city, cumulative healthcare experience of 3 years or greater, a cumulative caseload of 30 or more patients per month, and a total of at least 75% of time spent engaging in direct patient care.

This survey consisted of up to 21 questions related to patient concerns about stress and skin-related factors, such as skin triggers, cycle, issues, aging, and more.

As the surveys were reliant on participant data and cooperation, researchers conducted data quality control in order to eliminate the possibility of duplicate responses.

In total, researchers were able to collect data from 403 young women and 120 health care professionals, which included 60 dermatologists.

The majority of female respondents indicated that their stress level was in the normal range (58% of women ages 18 to 25 and 47% of women ages 25-34). However, at least 10% of women in both age groups reported mild, moderate, and severe levels of stress, with less than 10% in both age groups reporting extremely severe stress.

In regard to skin manifestations, the most frequently-reported were dark eye circles, enlarged/stretched pores, dry skin, dull skin, slower recovery from acne marks, and rough skin. The rates of these manifestations were significantly higher in women with mild to extremely severe stress than in women who reported normal stress levels.

Researchers also asked the question, Thinking of how stress may impact somebodys life, how strong do you think the connection between stress, psychological and emotional pressure and premature skin aging is? 92.3% of female respondents reported a perceived moderate to very strong association.

Dermatologists and other physician respondents associated certain aging and other skin manifestations with elevated stress levels, including acne, changing skin type, clogged pores, dark eye circles, dry skin, dull skin,flat lines around the eyes, poor elasticity,rough skin, sagging skin/lack of firmness, skin rash, thin skin, and wrinkles. Health care professionals who responded to the survey more strongly associated skin manifestations with stress.

Potential study limitations noted by the authors included the geographic restrictions of the data and of potential respondents.

The stronger perceptions of healthcare professionals than young women may be unsurprising considering their education and knowledge about the biology of stress and skin aging. Indeed, healthcare professionals identified skin signs that are associated with sensitive skin (e.g., acne, dryness, rash) and aging (e.g., wrinkles, sagging, poor elasticity), and they may be aware of the impact of stress on sensitive skin through their expertise and knowledge of research in this setting, study authors wrote. However, further research on how stress contributes to aging or preaging of skin is needed, particularly in the context of inflammation.

Reference

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Mild-to-Moderate Stress Associated With Skin Aging Manifestations - Dermatology Times

Dermatology

This Celebrity Dermatologist Wants to Be Known for More Than Treating Famous Faces – Allure

Whatever you do, dont call Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, a celebrity dermatologist. Sure, hes the dermatologist behind Rhode, Hailey Biebers line forglazed-donut skin. And, yes, hes partially responsible for caring forMartha Stewarts gravity-defying face. And okay, yeah, there are about 165,000 people avidly watching his TikToks.

So, technically, yes, he is a celebrity dermatologist. But he has his sights set on loftier goals: changing the future of skin care. I'm trying to bring education and science to the forefront of beauty, Dr. Bhanusali says. He improves laser techniques and tests new technologies at his New York City practice,Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery. He consults for brands like SkinCeuticals, Elta MD, CeraVe, and Neutrogena.

Zegna suit, top and shoes. Michael Kors Collection sweater over shoulders.

And Dr. Bhanusali is also somewhat of a tech mogul. He foundedSkinMedicinals, a platform that can be used by dermatologists to create prescription topicals for a fraction of their typical cost. (Formulas that would normally cost patients more than $1,000 can be priced as low as $24. As of 2022, the platform has saved patients over $200 million.) Dr. Bhanusali also cofoundedAire Health, which allows dermatologists to curate science-backed product recommendations in one place for patients to shop at a discounted rate.

For his commitment to making dermatology more accessible to the masses while providing cutting-edge care to his patients, Dr. Bhanusali has landed a spot onAllures A List. To mark the occasion, we gave him our version of a Proust questionnaire.

When you were five years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I had to be a doctor. There was no choice. My dad's a doctor. My sister's a doctor. I wanted to be a baseball player, but I don't think I got the athletic genes, so medicine it was.

What was your first job?

My first real job was actually helping my dad in his office. Thats honestly where a lot of my inspiration to be a doctor and to care for people came from. It was, I thought, the greatest privilege on earth.

What quality do you think has served you best in your career so far?

Persistence. I think that you're going to hit roadblocks no matter what you do in life. And, as clich as it sounds, it's not getting knocked down, but getting back up that's important.

Who was the last person you followed on Instagram?

It was a fellow dermatologist based out of Michigan, where I went to school,Dr. Kurt Ashack. Before that wasKerry Washington, who I had dinner with. Really kind.

Whats your idea of a perfect Sunday?

Perfect Sunday, if there's no football on? Brunch in New York with good weather and great friends.

What quote do you live by?

Don't let anybody tell you what you can or can't do. Instead, let time show them that your potential is limitless. Thats from my father.

The thing that almost no one knows about me is?

I'm actually an introvert. I love quiet nights in, more than busy nights out.

Whats your hope for the beauty industry in 2033?

I think that science will win more than marketing. That science will be deeply rooted in every aspect of everything that we stand for.

Whats the most revolutionary beauty product launch ever?

Sunscreen. And there's no second choice.

Current beauty obsession:

I'm a bit partial, but I use theRhode Barrier Restore Cream three times a day.

Favorite non-perfume smell?

The smell of home. Maybe mom's cooking. Maybe it's a combination of mom's cooking and the furniture, every aspect of it. Anything that reminds me of home, I'm happy with.

Your fantasy superpower would be?

Sleeping eight hours a night.

Photographer: Lea WinklerFashion Stylist: Ian McRaeHair: Hiro + MariMakeup: Ayaka NiheiManicure: JazzOn Set Producer: Hannah Kinlaw

Read more about the intersection of dermatology and technology:

Now watch Hailey Bieber share her top beauty tips:

Don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter.

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This Celebrity Dermatologist Wants to Be Known for More Than Treating Famous Faces - Allure

Dermatology

Histogen Announces Online Publication in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology – Yahoo Finance

Histogen Inc

Emricasan Treatment has Therapeutic Effect Against Bacterial Skin Infection in Mice

Pipeline Focus on Pan-Caspase and Caspase Selective Inhibitors for Infectious andInflammatory Diseases

SAN DIEGO, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Histogen Inc. (HSTO), a clinical-stage therapeutics companyfocused on developing potential first-in-class clinical and preclinical small molecule pan-caspaseand caspase selective inhibitors that protect the bodys natural process to restore immune function, today announced the online publication of an abstract describing a preclinical study showing that emricasan has therapeutic effect against bacterial skin infections.

In the study, the role of the irreversible pan-caspase inhibitor emricasan alone and in combination with a standard-of-care antibiotic, doxycycline, was examined as potential host-directed immunotherapy against bacterial infections in vivo. Mice in four groups; placebo, placebo plus doxycycline, emricasan plus doxycycline, and emricasan alone were treated orally twice daily for 7 days after intradermal injection of the established CA-MRSA strain USA300 LAC:: lux of Staphylococcus aureus in mice. The results of the study show that: 1) emricasan alone reduced both lesion size and bacterial burden versus placebo (p<0.0001); 2) emricasan alone showed efficacy superior to doxycycline alone in lesion size (p=0.02); and 3) emricasan alone and emricasan plus doxycycline showed comparable efficacy versus placebo in both lesion size and bacterial burden (p<0.0001).

The data from this study collectively support the use of emricasan as a potential host-directed immunotherapy against MRSA skin infections, stated Steven J. Mento, President and CEO of Histogen. The fact the emricasan works as good as or better than an antibiotic alone in this preclinical study points to the opportunity to provide emricasan as a viable treatment option for physicians without the risk of generating antibiotic resistance. Following the notice from the FDA related to our recently filed IND that the Study may Proceed, we look forward to the anticipated initiation of clinical development activities using emricasan for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) in the second half of 2023, concluded Dr. Mento.

Story continues

As announced previously, emricasan improved symptoms in patients infected with COVID-19 potentially employing a similar mechanism of protecting the competence of the immune system. Patients in the placebo arm who completed the study showed either delay or no symptom resolution for the duration of the study.

About Emricasan

Emricasan is an orally available pan-caspase inhibitor designed to reduce the activities of humancaspases, which are enzymes that mediate inflammation and apoptosis. Emricasan has completedextensive toxicology testing including chronic toxicology and all required carcinogenicity testing. Emricasan has previously been shown to be well tolerated in multiple clinical studies involving approximately 1,000 subjects employing multiple doses ranging from 1 mg to 500 mg orally and has been dosed chronically for up to two years in immunosuppressed patients. Emricasan was tested in a Phase 1 study in mild symptomatic COVID-19 patients to assess safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy. Five of five patients who completed treatment with emricasan had a complete resolution of the symptoms most commonly associated with mild COVID-19 by day seven compared to zero of six on placebo. Four of five patients on emricasan compared with one of six patients on placebo were virus negative by day fourteen. The mean antibody index against COVID was 6.98 in emricasan treated patients compared to 5.32 in those receiving placebo at the end of the study on day forty-five.

About Histogen Inc.

Histogen Inc. is a clinical-stage therapeutics company focused on developing potential first-in-class clinical and preclinical small molecule pan-caspase and caspase selective inhibitors thatprotect the bodys natural process to restore immune function. Currently, we are developingemricasan for ABSSSI as well evaluating its use for other infectious diseases. Our pipeline alsoincludes novel preclinical product candidates including CTS-2090 and other proprietary caspaseinhibitors, which are selective small molecule inhibitors of caspase-1 designed for the treatmentof certain inflammatory diseases. For more information, please visit http://www.histogen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harborprovisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securitieslaws. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss the potential benefits of the preclinical study in mice showing that emricasan has therapeutic effect against bacterial skin infections; the potential benefits of emricasan, if approved; our future operations and our ability to successfully initiate, enroll and complete clinical trials, obtain clinical trial data, and achieve regulatory milestones and related timing, including those related to the initiation of clinical trials for emricasan. We may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on our current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Histogen that could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release, including: our ability to obtain funding for our operations, including funding necessary to complete further development and any commercialization of our product candidates; including its ability to carry out the development of emricasan and the potential for delays in the timing of regulatory approval and the requirement for additional capital to continue to advance these product candidates, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all; our expectations regarding the operation of our product candidates and related benefits; our beliefs regarding the success, cost and timing of our product candidate development and current and future clinical trials and studies; our beliefs regarding the potential markets for our product candidates; any impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or responses to the pandemic, on our business, clinical trials or personnel; our beliefs regarding our industry; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries, with respect to our product candidates; the impact of any litigation proceedings on our business and market and other conditions. The foregoing review of important factors that could cause actual events to differ from expectations should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including those risks discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise required by law, Histogen disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events, or circumstances or otherwise.

CONTACT: Susan A. KnudsonExecutive Vice President, COO & CFO Histogen Inc. ir@histogen.com

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Histogen Announces Online Publication in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology - Yahoo Finance

Dermatology

Aldena Therapeutics and Empa Awarded InnoSuisse Funding to … – StreetInsider.com

BOSTON, April 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aldena Therapeutics Inc. (Aldena), a private biotech company pioneering siRNA-based therapies for dermatological indications, and Empa, the Swiss Federal research institute for materials science and technology,have been awarded a joint 600'000 CHF grant by InnoSuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency. This StarCURE grant seeks to co-develop microneedle particles as a new skin delivery system, which will enable novel therapeutic approaches in dermatology by revolutionizing the way drugs are delivered and absorbed through the skin.

This groundbreaking microneedle-particle technology, called STAR particles1, now under exclusive license to Aldena was originally discovered and developed by Prof. Mark Prausnitz and Dr. Andrew Tadros at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. These star-shaped ceramic microparticles enable delivery of large, water-soluble molecules into the skin at the site of application. Aldena Therapeutics is pioneering this technology as part of its portfolio of innovative dermatological programs.

The StarCURE collaboration between Aldena and Empawill be conducted over two years andwill aim to establish a scalable manufacturing method for STAR particles and to investigate next-generation STAR particle materials that provide added capabilities.

Dr. Claire Bouix-Peter, Chief Operating Officer of Aldena Therapeutics and project coordinator, commented: "This project is a great opportunity to leverage our expertise in dermatology in collaboration with Empa's world-class materials and science experts to transform STAR particle manufacturing for commercial-scale production."

Prof. Prausnitz, co-Founder of Aldena Therapeutics, added: "This collaboration will enable the manufacturability and expanded functionality of STAR-particle technology, which is an essential and strategic next step in the development of Aldena."

Dr. Michael Stuer, Head of the Nanopowders and Ceramics Group at Empa's High Performance Ceramics lab, remarked: "This is a great example of how our expertise in ceramic materials can be applied to develop a safe and effective drug delivery technology."

Prof. Patrik Hoffmann, Head of the Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing at Empa, added: "This is a very exciting project and I am confident that our joint research efforts will result in a scalable technology that could revolutionize the way skin drug delivery is viewed in the pharmaceutical industry, providing treatments with greater precision, efficiency, compliance and safety."

About Aldena

Aldena Therapeutics is a Boston, Lausanne and London-based biotechnology company focusing on siRNA-based dermatological treatments, enabled by STAR particles as a novel skin delivery system, for patients suffering from dermatological diseases. It was co-founded by Prof. John Harris (MD, PhD, Professor and Chair of Dermatology at UMass Chan Medical School), Prof. Mark Prausnitz (PhD, Regents' Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology) and Dr Andrew Tadros (MD, PhD), and is backed by Medicxi. Aldena Therapeutics is pursuing multiple innovative programs and is currently initiating the IND-enabling GLP nonclinical program for its lead projects.

About Empa

Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, is an interdisciplinary Swiss research institute conducting cutting-edge materials and technology research, based in Dbendorf, St. Gallen and Thun, Switzerland. Empa aims at generating interdisciplinary solutions to major challenges faced by the industry, and at creating the necessary scientific basis to ensure that our society develops in a sustainable manner.

1Tadros, A et al., Nature Medicine 2020, v26, p341-347 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0787-6

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SOURCE Aldena Therapeutics

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Dermatology

Tralokinumab Found to be Efficacious in Adolescents With Moderate … – Dermatology Times

Interleukin-13targeted treatment with tralokinumab (Adbry; LEO Pharma)was efficacious and well tolerated in adolescents with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD), according to the results of a phase 3 ECZTRA 6 randomized clinical trial.1

Lead author Amy S. Paller, MD, chair of the department of dermatology and director of the Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-Based Center of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and attending physician at the Ann and Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, reported the results of the trial on tralokinumab for pediatric patients with AD who were aged 12 to 17 years.

The 52-week, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase 3 ECZTRA 6 trial was conducted from July 17, 2018, through March 16, 2021, at 72 centers across 10 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Enrolled patients were 12 to 17 years old with moderate to severe AD (Investigators Global Assessment [IGA] score 3; Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI] 16).

The patients were randomly assigned to tralokinumab (150 or 300 mg) or placebo every 2 weeks for 16 weeks. Patients with an IGA score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) and/or 75% or higher improvement in EASI (EASI 75) at week 16 without rescue medication received maintenance treatment; other patients switched to open-label tralokinumab, 300 mg, every 2 weeks. Patients receiving placebo who met the primary end point(s) at week 16 without use of rescue medication continued to receive blinded placebo every 2 weeks until week 52.

At 16 weeks, the main goals of the phase 3 trial were for the participants to report an IGA score of 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear) and/or to report an EASI 75 score. The teams secondary objectives were to report changes in Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index from baseline to week 16, a reduction of 4 or more on the Adolescent Worst Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale, and changes in SCORing AD.

Both tralokinumab doses resulted in improvements in eczema-related sleep NRS vs placebo at week 16. Additionally, Patients receiving tralokinumab, 300 mg, every 2 weeks experienced a greater decrease in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale from baseline vs placebo at week 16.

Tralokinumab was well tolerated, with a majority of adverse events (AE) being mild or moderate in severity. In the initial treatment period, proportions of patients with 1 or more AE were similar among those receiving tralokinumab. The most frequent AEs were upper respiratory tract infection, dermatitis atopic (disease exacerbation), injection-site reaction, asthma, and headache.

Study authors said this is believed to be the first study to show that targeting IL-13 alone improved AD signs and symptoms along with improvements in multiple high-effect disease domains in a pediatric population. These results are consistent with tralokinumab data reported in adults with AD and suggest that specific targeting of IL-13 with tralokinumab is an effective and well-tolerated long-term treatment option for uncontrolled AD in adolescents.

Last year, the European Commission extended the marketing authorization for tralokinumab to include adolescents aged 12 to 17 with moderate to severe AD, with US agencies mulling a similar move to broaden the indication.

Reference

1. Paller AS, Flohr C, Cork M, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Tralokinumab in Adolescents With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis: The Phase 3 ECZTRA 6 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatol. Published online April 19, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.0627

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Dermatology

How Often Should You Wash Your Face? – Everyday Health

Your face experiences a lot in a day: sun, wind, makeup, the never-ending glow of screens and much more.

Caring for your skin involves cleansing, certainly, but many people are missing the mark, data suggests. More than half of people say they often skip washing their face before bedtime, according to a 2017 survey on 1,000 adult men and women from the skin-care product brand CeraVe. The brand also says that 80 percent of Americans make at least one skin-washing mistake.

As youll learn, a face-washing routine is important for the health of your facial skin. Heres what you need to know about how often to do it, if you can ever skip it, and how to cleanse correctly.

Ultimately, face cleansing is critical to maintaining healthy-looking and healthy-feeling skin, says Aanand Geria, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Verona, New Jersey.

Your face is, well, how you face the world, and as a result, it collects dirt, oil, and other debris that can if not removed lead to irritation and other skin problems. Overall, the skin would be dirtier, drier, greasier, and older-looking without daily face cleansings, he says.

In general, wash your face twice a day. I tell patients that its important to wash your face in the morning and at the end of the day, says the Philadelphia-based board-certified dermatologist Nazanin Saedi, MD. Doing so removes impurities that may have settled on skin throughout the night and then removes dirt, impurities, and any makeup or products used during the day.

As Dr. Saedi mentions, however, there are no set guidelines. Talk to your dermatologist about what might be right for you, because it can depend on your skin type and any skin conditions you may be managing.

Although she recommends washing your face twice a day even for patients who have sensitive skin or skin conditions, some dermatologists advise only once a day in certain circumstances.

Dr. Geria recommends washing your face twice a day, too. If you have dry or sensitive skin, he says you can cleanse at night to remove dirt, but then rinse your face with warm water in the morning. Likewise, if you have an active flare-up of rosacea or eczema, you may opt to do a once-a-day wash at night to limit irritation.

Again, everyones needs are different, and if you do have rosacea, eczema, or another condition, your dermatologist can help you develop a skin-care plan that includes proper washing. They can also advise on how that plan should be modified during flare-ups.

If you were just at the gym, in a hot yoga class, or outdoors for a hike and were sweating heavily, you should wash your face, advises the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Think about your skin type, makeup habits, and daily activities, says Geria. That can inform the type of products you use, as well as how you wash your skin. For example, if you wear makeup, you may want to use a makeup remover, such as micellar water or a makeup-removing balm on tough-to-remove lipstick or eye makeup before washing your skin.

Next, follow these steps from Geria:

In addition, Saedi suggests washing your face for 30 seconds. (In some cases, even longer may be more appropriate.) Ultimately, you need time to properly remove dirt and oil.

Cleansers today are specially formulated to more closely mimic the pH of the skin, so as not to overly dry out your skin or compromise the skin barrier, research notes. One problem that the CeraVe survey uncovered is that half of people use bath wash or hand soap on their face. These soaps can strip your skin of moisture and cause irritation or itchiness (which you may feel as tight skin), the aforementioned research explains. Thats why its important to use a cleanser designed specifically for the face.

Choose the cleanser that fits with your skin type. For instance, if you have dry or sensitive skin, opt for a gentle or creamy cleanser. Oily skin benefits from a gel or foam cleanser, Geria advises. If your skin is dull, an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA, wash (such as a glycolic-based cleanser), can help remove dead skin cells on the surface and give your skin a glow, adds Saedi. Avoid harsh scrubs, which can irritate skin, she advises.

If youre traveling or are in a pinch, you can alternatively use a cleansing towelette, Saedi says. (Keep these at your bedside table if you often forget to wash your face and dont want to get up to do so.) A word of caution on these towelettes: Researchpublished in the NovemberDecember 2017 issue of Dermatitis found they often contained irritating ingredients, such as fragrances and preservatives. Stop using them if you notice any skin reaction. Consider switching to a fragrance-free brand or one labeled for sensitive skin.

The consequences depend on your skin type and condition. If you have acne and dont wash your face regularly, your breakouts may become more frequent or get worse. Washing your skin twice a day is especially important for those who have acne-prone skin, as facial cleansing removes grime from the skin and pores, which [if allowed to build up], leads to clogging and breakouts, Geria says. Research published in the February 2018 Journal of Dermatological Treatment on the right skin-washing regimen for acne is shaky at best, but the available studies do point to fewer acne lesions for twice-daily washers.

One caveat: More washing isnt better when it comes to acne, says Saedi. If you wash your face more than twice a day, then you are stripping the natural oils in your skin, and, as a result, you will end up overproducing oils.

Even if you dont wear makeup that day or dont leave your house, you still shouldnt get into bed without a wash first. Dirt, oil, and other unwanted debris can still buildup on the skin throughout the day, Saedi says. If left on, these factors can clog pores, too.

That said, like anything in health, what you do most of the time matters most. If you skip a day of face washing because youre not feeling well, had an especially late night, or just forgot, its okay. You have not ruined your skin. And you probably wont notice a thing. Ultimately, missing one day of washing your face wont significantly affect the overall health of your skin, Saedi says. Just get back into your routine tomorrow.

Dermatologists often recommend washing your skin twice a day (once in the morning and once at night) to remove dirt that has accumulated on skin as well as makeup. Whats right for your skin, however, depends on your skin type and skin conditions, so talk to your dermatologist.

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How Often Should You Wash Your Face? - Everyday Health

Dermatology

Patient Preferences in Topical Psoriasis Treatment – Dermatology Times

While topical therapies continue to be a mainstay of psoriasis treatment, patient adherence is dependent on several characteristics of the medications, according to a new study.1

Researchers at the center for dermatology research in the Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, conducted the study to better understand patient perspectives when it comes to experience, expectations, and preferences.

To do so, they analyzed results from The National Psoriasis Foundations 17- question survey conducted in March 2022, which assessed symptoms, treatment modalities, frequency of tropical therapy use, and vehicle preferences.

Of the 411 patients surveyed, 83.9% self-reported moderate psoriasis. 10.2% reported their psoriasis as severe, 5.4% reported it as mild and 0.5% reported it as very severe, with the most affected areas being the scalp (67.9%), arms/elbows ( 62.8%), trunk (61.6%) and hands/feet (40.6%).

Patient Preference

Many participants (76%) reported using topical therapy at least once weekly. Nearly 80% of participants said they would allow 2 weeks for a medication to become effective before stopping it. Participants preferred water-based creams (75.7%), followed by oil-based foam (70.8%), gel (48.7%), solution (42.8%), lotion (21.2%), non-oil-based foam (17.5%), ointment (16.5%), and spray (6.3%).

The formulation attributes rated most important were application feel (55.2%), non-staining (49.9%), quick absorption (46.7%), non-sticky texture (39.7%), ease of application (28.5%), no unpleasant smell (22.4%), non-greasy (16.8%), works quickly (14.1%), absent sting or burn (10%), no adverse skin reaction (9.7%), and once daily treatment (6.8%). If participants did not like a topical treatment's formulation, 74.7%) aid they would discontinue the use of the treatment after a week. Additionally, more than 40% of patients said that they would contact another dermatologist if their topical medication caused a reaction.

Topical medications present a particularly unique burden for dermatology patients because they can be cumbersome, difficult to use, poorly tolerated, messy, and time-consuming. In a study of topical treatment adherence among psoriasis clinical trial patients, overall adherence decreased to nearly 50% by the end of an 8-week treatment period, with small upticks in medication use observed around trial visit dates.

First-line treatments for mild-to-moderate psoriasis are topical treatments, including corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs, keratinolytics, calcineurin inhibitors, salicylic acid, and tar.1

For moderate-to-severe psoriasis, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends considering systemic therapy, including biologics, oral agents, and phototherapy, with the option to use topical medication conjunctively.2 Study authors noted that the characteristics of psoriasis treatment vehicles, and the patients reported willingness to use treatment, may be an essential consideration when planning treatment regimens.

References

1. Curcio A, Kontzias C, Gorodokin B, Feldman S, Kircik L. Patient Preferences in Topical Psoriasis Treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023 Apr 1;22(4):326-332. doi: 10.36849/JDD.7372

2. How Dermatologists Diagnose and Treat Psoriasis. American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/treatment. Accessed April 20, 2023.

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Patient Preferences in Topical Psoriasis Treatment - Dermatology Times