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MONTEREY, CALIF. – Looking for a better treatment for a stubborn dermatologic condition? Pick up the telephone, work closely with nondermatologists, and find a dermatology specialty pharmacy. Seek out clinical trials that fit your patient’s needs. And be aware that data may not provide the best dosage protocols.
These tips and more came from Neal Bhatia, MD, director of clinical dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research in San Diego, who spoke about best practices in drug therapy at the annual Coastal Dermatology Symposium. Dr. Bhatia urged colleagues not to give up on conditions such as vitiligo, alopecia areata, severe atopic dermatitis (AD), granulomatous disorders, recalcitrant urticaria, and itching, even when there is resistance from insurance companies. Instead, he said, rely on persistence and the power of a united front with other specialists.
Rheumatologists, oncologists, and allergists may be helpful allies in certain cases, he said, as can dermatologic specialty pharmacies. And if you’re dealing with a medical director of an insurance company, he said, make sure to call. Don’t write a letter or send a fax.
Because some treatments never get evaluated in clinical trials because of cost or lack of interest, he also recommended that dermatologists keep an eye on anecdotal protocols, which can provide helpful “real-world options,” he said in an interview. “Searching for conclusions from case reports and small independent studies can be just as informative and beneficial to patient care as pivotal data from large late-phase studies. Practical information, pearls on management, and other important tips can be found in anecdotes that were either too small or short in duration to be conducted as a validated trial.”
One option is to check ClinicalTrials.gov for a trial; another is to pursue an investigator-initiated study. “Some companies will offer the option to fund a small study for one or several patients to get them treatment and drugs without a high expense for the study or funding for the site’s costs,” Dr. Bhatia said.
In his presentation, Dr. Bhatia referred to a variety of dermatologic medications are showing promising results in trials, and some relatively new options.
Topical hypochlorous acid (Sebuderm gel) for dermatoses, such as seborrheic dermatitis. This prescription nonsteroidal gel is now available in the United States and was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis in 2015. Dr. Bhatia referred to a study presented in a poster at a meeting in 2017 that showed improvement in 20 of 24 patients with mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis treated with this product after 28 days. None of the patients worsened, and overall disease activity fell by more than half.
Loyon lotion (Cetiol oil and dimethicone), a nonmedicated descaling treatment for scaly patches in infants with cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis). A 2014 pilot study found that it improved scaling in 80% of 20 infants and children aged 3-36 months over 8 days, and it reached “treatment success” in 50% (Dermatol Ther [Heidelb]. 2014 Dec;4[2]:221-32).
(As for cost, GoodRx.com states that various pharmacies sell one 8-ounce [227-gram] bottle of Sebuderm gel for about $300 with a coupon. Loyon is also expensive, with a GoodRx.com listing its price at about $300, with coupon, for one 50-ml spray bottle.)
Dr. Bhatia also reviewed drugs in the research pipeline. Several drugs for AD are in early phases of research, while some phase 3 trials involving Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for AD are starting – or are close to starting.
He pointed to other research that’s underway on treatments for acne and rosacea. Three acne drugs that he said are “almost here” are minocycline gel and cortexolone 17 alpha-propionate 1% cream. He also referred to sarecycline, a tetracycline-derived antibiotic taken orally, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on October 2 for moderate to severe acne vulgaris in patients aged 9 years and older.
This symposium was jointly presented by the University of Louisville (Ky.) and the Global Academy for Medical Education. This publication and the Global Academy for Medical Education are both owned by Frontline Medical Communications.
Dr. Bhatia reported affiliations with multiple drugmakers: Abbvie, Aclaris, Almirall, Bayer, Biofrontera, BioPharmX, Dermira, Encore, EPI Health, Ferndale, Foamix, Galderma, IntraDerm, ISDIN, La Roche-Posay, Leo, Mayne, Menlo, Novartis, Ortho, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Promius, Regeneron, Sanofi, Skinfix, Soligenix, Sun, and Vidac.
MONTEREY, CALIF. – Looking for a better treatment for a stubborn dermatologic condition? Pick up the telephone, work closely with nondermatologists, and find a dermatology specialty pharmacy. Seek out clinical trials that fit your patient’s needs. And be aware that data may not provide the best dosage protocols.
These tips and more came from Neal Bhatia, MD, director of clinical dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research in San Diego, who spoke about best practices in drug therapy at the annual Coastal Dermatology Symposium. Dr. Bhatia urged colleagues not to give up on conditions such as vitiligo, alopecia areata, severe atopic dermatitis (AD), granulomatous disorders, recalcitrant urticaria, and itching, even when there is resistance from insurance companies. Instead, he said, rely on persistence and the power of a united front with other specialists.
Rheumatologists, oncologists, and allergists may be helpful allies in certain cases, he said, as can dermatologic specialty pharmacies. And if you’re dealing with a medical director of an insurance company, he said, make sure to call. Don’t write a letter or send a fax.
Because some treatments never get evaluated in clinical trials because of cost or lack of interest, he also recommended that dermatologists keep an eye on anecdotal protocols, which can provide helpful “real-world options,” he said in an interview. “Searching for conclusions from case reports and small independent studies can be just as informative and beneficial to patient care as pivotal data from large late-phase studies. Practical information, pearls on management, and other important tips can be found in anecdotes that were either too small or short in duration to be conducted as a validated trial.”
One option is to check ClinicalTrials.gov for a trial; another is to pursue an investigator-initiated study. “Some companies will offer the option to fund a small study for one or several patients to get them treatment and drugs without a high expense for the study or funding for the site’s costs,” Dr. Bhatia said.
In his presentation, Dr. Bhatia referred to a variety of dermatologic medications are showing promising results in trials, and some relatively new options.
Topical hypochlorous acid (Sebuderm gel) for dermatoses, such as seborrheic dermatitis. This prescription nonsteroidal gel is now available in the United States and was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis in 2015. Dr. Bhatia referred to a study presented in a poster at a meeting in 2017 that showed improvement in 20 of 24 patients with mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis treated with this product after 28 days. None of the patients worsened, and overall disease activity fell by more than half.
Loyon lotion (Cetiol oil and dimethicone), a nonmedicated descaling treatment for scaly patches in infants with cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis). A 2014 pilot study found that it improved scaling in 80% of 20 infants and children aged 3-36 months over 8 days, and it reached “treatment success” in 50% (Dermatol Ther [Heidelb]. 2014 Dec;4[2]:221-32).
(As for cost, GoodRx.com states that various pharmacies sell one 8-ounce [227-gram] bottle of Sebuderm gel for about $300 with a coupon. Loyon is also expensive, with a GoodRx.com listing its price at about $300, with coupon, for one 50-ml spray bottle.)
Dr. Bhatia also reviewed drugs in the research pipeline. Several drugs for AD are in early phases of research, while some phase 3 trials involving Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for AD are starting – or are close to starting.
He pointed to other research that’s underway on treatments for acne and rosacea. Three acne drugs that he said are “almost here” are minocycline gel and cortexolone 17 alpha-propionate 1% cream. He also referred to sarecycline, a tetracycline-derived antibiotic taken orally, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on October 2 for moderate to severe acne vulgaris in patients aged 9 years and older.
This symposium was jointly presented by the University of Louisville (Ky.) and the Global Academy for Medical Education. This publication and the Global Academy for Medical Education are both owned by Frontline Medical Communications.
Dr. Bhatia reported affiliations with multiple drugmakers: Abbvie, Aclaris, Almirall, Bayer, Biofrontera, BioPharmX, Dermira, Encore, EPI Health, Ferndale, Foamix, Galderma, IntraDerm, ISDIN, La Roche-Posay, Leo, Mayne, Menlo, Novartis, Ortho, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Promius, Regeneron, Sanofi, Skinfix, Soligenix, Sun, and Vidac.
MONTEREY, CALIF. – Looking for a better treatment for a stubborn dermatologic condition? Pick up the telephone, work closely with nondermatologists, and find a dermatology specialty pharmacy. Seek out clinical trials that fit your patient’s needs. And be aware that data may not provide the best dosage protocols.
These tips and more came from Neal Bhatia, MD, director of clinical dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research in San Diego, who spoke about best practices in drug therapy at the annual Coastal Dermatology Symposium. Dr. Bhatia urged colleagues not to give up on conditions such as vitiligo, alopecia areata, severe atopic dermatitis (AD), granulomatous disorders, recalcitrant urticaria, and itching, even when there is resistance from insurance companies. Instead, he said, rely on persistence and the power of a united front with other specialists.
Rheumatologists, oncologists, and allergists may be helpful allies in certain cases, he said, as can dermatologic specialty pharmacies. And if you’re dealing with a medical director of an insurance company, he said, make sure to call. Don’t write a letter or send a fax.
Because some treatments never get evaluated in clinical trials because of cost or lack of interest, he also recommended that dermatologists keep an eye on anecdotal protocols, which can provide helpful “real-world options,” he said in an interview. “Searching for conclusions from case reports and small independent studies can be just as informative and beneficial to patient care as pivotal data from large late-phase studies. Practical information, pearls on management, and other important tips can be found in anecdotes that were either too small or short in duration to be conducted as a validated trial.”
One option is to check ClinicalTrials.gov for a trial; another is to pursue an investigator-initiated study. “Some companies will offer the option to fund a small study for one or several patients to get them treatment and drugs without a high expense for the study or funding for the site’s costs,” Dr. Bhatia said.
In his presentation, Dr. Bhatia referred to a variety of dermatologic medications are showing promising results in trials, and some relatively new options.
Topical hypochlorous acid (Sebuderm gel) for dermatoses, such as seborrheic dermatitis. This prescription nonsteroidal gel is now available in the United States and was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis in 2015. Dr. Bhatia referred to a study presented in a poster at a meeting in 2017 that showed improvement in 20 of 24 patients with mild to moderate seborrheic dermatitis treated with this product after 28 days. None of the patients worsened, and overall disease activity fell by more than half.
Loyon lotion (Cetiol oil and dimethicone), a nonmedicated descaling treatment for scaly patches in infants with cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis). A 2014 pilot study found that it improved scaling in 80% of 20 infants and children aged 3-36 months over 8 days, and it reached “treatment success” in 50% (Dermatol Ther [Heidelb]. 2014 Dec;4[2]:221-32).
(As for cost, GoodRx.com states that various pharmacies sell one 8-ounce [227-gram] bottle of Sebuderm gel for about $300 with a coupon. Loyon is also expensive, with a GoodRx.com listing its price at about $300, with coupon, for one 50-ml spray bottle.)
Dr. Bhatia also reviewed drugs in the research pipeline. Several drugs for AD are in early phases of research, while some phase 3 trials involving Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for AD are starting – or are close to starting.
He pointed to other research that’s underway on treatments for acne and rosacea. Three acne drugs that he said are “almost here” are minocycline gel and cortexolone 17 alpha-propionate 1% cream. He also referred to sarecycline, a tetracycline-derived antibiotic taken orally, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on October 2 for moderate to severe acne vulgaris in patients aged 9 years and older.
This symposium was jointly presented by the University of Louisville (Ky.) and the Global Academy for Medical Education. This publication and the Global Academy for Medical Education are both owned by Frontline Medical Communications.
Dr. Bhatia reported affiliations with multiple drugmakers: Abbvie, Aclaris, Almirall, Bayer, Biofrontera, BioPharmX, Dermira, Encore, EPI Health, Ferndale, Foamix, Galderma, IntraDerm, ISDIN, La Roche-Posay, Leo, Mayne, Menlo, Novartis, Ortho, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Promius, Regeneron, Sanofi, Skinfix, Soligenix, Sun, and Vidac.
EXPERT ANALYSIS FROM THE COASTAL DERMATOLOGY SYMPOSIUM