The touchDERMATOLOGY team has carefully reviewed leading publications to present the highlights of the most intriguing and influential studies from leading journals. Here are our top selections:

Promising phase IIIb results for scalp psoriasis treatment

This recent article from Kurt Gebauer and colleagues presents the results of a phase IIIb multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe scalp psoriasis. In the study patients (n=171) received either tildrakizumab 100 mg or placebo at weeks 0 and 4. The primary endpoint was achieving a “clear” or “almost clear” scalp score with a ≥2-point reduction from baseline at week 16.

Key findings include:

• 49.4% of patients treated with tildrakizumab achieved the primary endpoint at week 16, compared to 7.3% with placebo.
• At week 12, 46.1% of tildrakizumab patients vs 4.9% placebo patients reached the primary endpoint.
• 60.7% of tildrakizumab patients achieved a 90% improvement in the Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index (PSSI 90) at week 16, compared to 4.9% with placebo.
• No serious treatment-related adverse events were reported, with the most common side effects being viral upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis and hypertension in the tildrakizumab group, and headache and diarrhea in the placebo group.

The study highlighted that tildrakizumab is effective and safe for treating scalp psoriasis, showing significant improvement in patients’ quality of life and scalp itch. However, the study’s generalizability may be limited due to a lack of racial diversity and a focus on patients with ≥10% body surface area involvement. Further analysis up to week 72 is ongoing.

Article information: Gebauer K, Spelman L, Yamauchi PS, et al. Efficacy and safety of tildrakizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis of the scalp: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3b study.  J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;91:91-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.03.025. Full author disclosures and funding are available in the article.

Phase III trials show effective treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa

This research article published in the Lancet presents the results of two phase III trials, BE HEARD I and II, that assessed the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-17A and IL-17F, in treating moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa. The trials involved 1,014 patients and compared various dosing regimens of bimekizumab to placebo over 48 weeks.

Key findings include:

• At week 16, bimekizumab significantly improved the hidradenitis suppurativa clinical response (HiSCR50) compared to placebo. In BE HEARD I, 48% of patients on bi-weekly bimekizumab achieved HiSCR50 vs 29% on placebo. In BE HEARD II, the rates were 52% vs 32%, respectively. The group receiving bimekizumab every four weeks in BE HEARD II also showed significant improvement (54% vs 32%).
• The responses were maintained or increased up to week 48.
• Bimekizumab was generally well tolerated. Serious treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 8% of patients in BE HEARD I and 5% in BE HEARD II. Common adverse events included hidradenitis, coronavirus infection, diarrhoea, oral candidiasis and headache. There was one unrelated death due to congestive heart failure.

The results support bimekizumab as an effective treatment option for patients with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa, providing rapid and sustained clinical benefits with a manageable safety profile.

Article information: Kimball AB, Jemec GBE, Sayed CJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (BE HEARD I and BE HEARD II): two 48-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre phase 3 trials. Lancet. 2024;403:2504–19. Full author disclosures and funding are available in the article. 

Stigmatization in chronic skin conditions linked to depression, anxiety and poor peer relationships

This article explores how stigma associated with visible and severe chronic skin conditions impacts the mental health and quality of life (QOL) of affected children and adolescents. The study, conducted at 32 pediatric dermatology centers in the US and Canada, involved 1671 participants aged 8 to 17 and their parents. It utilized the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Instrumentation System (PROMIS) to assess stigma, disease visibility, severity and associated mental health outcomes.

Findings indicate that stigmatization significantly affects QOL and correlates with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and poor peer relationships. Children with conditions like acne, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata and vitiligo reported high stigma levels, with only 27% experiencing minimal stigma. The study also found that 29.4% of parents were aware of their children being bullied, which strongly correlated with increased stigma. Girls reported more stigma than boys, and conditions such as hyperhidrosis and hidradenitis suppurativa were linked to higher depression and anxiety levels.

The study suggests that healthcare professionals should not only assess disease visibility and severity but also consider the impact of stigmatization and bullying on the social and mental health of children with chronic skin disorders. Addressing these factors through medical and psychosocial interventions is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Article information: Paller AS, Rangel SM, Chamlin SL, et al. Stigmatization and Mental Health Impact of Chronic Pediatric Skin Disorders. JAMA Dermatol. 2024;160:621–630. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.0594.

New study highlights benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for acne patients

This recent study assessed the impact of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on acne severity in 60 individuals with mild to moderate acne. Participants followed the Mediterranean diet and took omega-3 supplements for a specific period. 

Results indicated a significant reduction in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, as well as an improvement in overall quality of life. At the start, 98.3% of participants were deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. Those who reached adequate omega-3 levels experienced marked improvement in their acne. While self-reported appearance worsened in four patients, overall quality of life improved (p < 0.001), particularly in AP. The study suggests that lifestyle and dietary interventions should complement traditional acne treatments and calls for future randomized, placebo-controlled trials to enhance dietary recommendations for acne patients​.

Article information: Guertler A, Neu K, Lill D, Clanner-Engelshofen B, French LE, Reinholz M. Exploring the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in acne patients: A prospective intervention study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024; 00: 1-10. doi:10.1111/jocd.16434

Disclosures: This article was created by the touchDERMATOLOGY team utilizing AI as an editorial tool (ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat.) The content was developed and edited by human editors. No funding was received in the publication of this article.