Feb 14, 2025

New solutions for old conditions

Innovative treatments and alternative approaches could be game changers for common dermatologic diseases.

Session director Erin Barret (Wei), MD, FAAD

U030 – Bread n’ Butter with a Side of Nutella: Short n’ Sweet, High-Yield Updates on Management of Bread n’ Butter Dermatologic Diseases
7:30-8:30 a.m. | Saturday, March 8
Room W304H

Dermatologists have very busy schedules. Keeping up with the latest information on new diseases is challenging, but it’s important not to leave the most common conditions behind.

The session, U030 – Bread n’ Butter with a Side of Nutella: Short n’ Sweet, High-Yield Updates on Management of Bread n’ Butter Dermatologic Diseases, will bring together a panel of experts for updates on warts, psoriasis, skin cancer, cosmetic dermatology, and dermatopathology.

Session director Erin Barret (Wei), MD, FAAD, said her presentation, “High-Yield Overview of the Changing Landscape of Management of Autoinflammatory Diseases,” will focus on a number of new therapeutic targets for atopic dermatitis. This includes OX40, IL-31, and IL-22, with emerging treatments such as rocantilimab (an anti-OX40), amlitemab (an anti-OX40L), and neolizumab (an anti-IL31) that are still in the development and testing stages.

“These are significant as they target newer, more specific immune pathways involved in atopic dermatitis, which could lead to better control of the condition with fewer side effects,” she said.

Dr. Barrett, who is an associate professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha, will also touch on upcoming therapeutics for other autoinflammatory diseases. She will be joined by a handful of UNMC dermatology colleagues to round out the high-yield Saturday session.

Skin cancer

Vanessa Voss, MD, FAADSkin cancer has long been one of the most common dermatologic diseases, but Vanessa Voss, MD, FAAD, said there are plenty of new treatments coming down the pipeline, including new topical hedgehog inhibitors for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Dr. Voss, who is an assistant professor, will discuss these developments in her presentation, “High-Yield Updates in Treatment of Skin Cancer.”

“Ongoing trials are providing more insight into their potential for treating BCC,” Dr. Voss said. “Neoadjuvant PD1 therapy for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is also showing promise and may become an important option for patients with locally advanced SCC.”

Tattoos and pigmentary issues

Ronald Sulewski, MD, FAADAssistant Professor Ronald Sulewski, MD, FAAD, will share the latest on pigmentary issues and tattoos, including common treatment methods and advancements in laser treatments in his presentation, “Cosmetic Kernels.” One of the highlights is picosecond laser toning, which encourages the production of collagen under the first layer of skin.

“This is an advanced approach to rejuvenating the skin and treating pigmentation, offering faster results with reduced downtime,” he said. “We’re also seeing new approaches in combination therapies that may reshape how we treat common pigmentation issues and tattoos.

Artificial intelligence in dermatopathology

Corey J. Georgesen, MD, FAADIn his presentation, “Clinico-Dermato-Pathologic Correlation: Practical Tips and Updates,” Corey J. Georgesen, MD, FAAD, will review advancements on a variety of conditions, including inflammatory dermatopathology, cutaneous lymphoma, immunobullous diseases, and melanocytic lesions. Dr. Georgeson, who is also an assistant professor, said there have also been a number of developments in the area of AI.

“Artificial intelligence applications in dermatopathology are emerging as a tool to assist pathologists in making more accurate diagnoses, particularly in complex cases like cutaneous lymphoma and immunobullous diseases,” he said.

Emerging wart treatments

Jennifer Adams, MD, FAADWarts are one of the most common conditions a dermatologist will encounter in their practice, but even now, there are new and emerging treatments on the way. Jennifer Adams, MD, FAAD, associate professor and residency program director in UNMC’s department of dermatology, will cover the latest in her presentation, “High-Yield Pearls for Management of Warts With Therapeutic Updates.”

The novel treatments currently under investigation include the antiviral cidofovir, topical berdazimer sodium, and nonthermal atmospheric plasma. There are also new applications for existing therapies like interlesional therapies, such as vitamin D3 and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that can be used for warts.

“These therapies offer potential advantages for persistant or recalcitrant warts. And while they do show promise, they also require further clinical trials,” Dr. Adams said.

Psoriasis pearls

Sarah Lonowski, MD, MBA, FAADThere is not a dermatologist out there who hasn’t encountered psoriasis at some point in their career. In her presentation, “High-Yield Treatment Pearls and Updates for Psoriasis,” Sarah Lonowski, MD, MBA, FAAD, will look at expanded indications for existing treatments like bemekizumab.

“These expanded indications represent a significant advancement for patients who may not respond to conventional therapies,” said Dr. Lonowski, who is assistant professor in UNMC’s dermatology department. “There are also newer treatments like deucravacitnib, which has promising three-year efficacy and safety data that may further solidify its place in psoriasis management.”