30-Second Takeaway
- Head–neck atopic dermatitis responds well to biologics and JAK inhibitors, with EASI-HN improvements mirroring whole-body outcomes.
- Oral IL‑23 receptor blockade (icotrokinra) delivers biologic-like psoriasis clearance with an oral safety profile to date.
- Parallel ridge remains the key acral melanoma dermoscopic sign; multicomponent structures add diagnostic value beyond furrow/latticelike patterns.
- Hidradenitis suppurativa carries increased risks of both cancer and serious mental health outcomes, warranting proactive screening and surveillance.
- Biosimilar ustekinumab, adjunctive fish oil in isotretinoin, and sequential small molecules in LCA may expand cost-effective and tolerable options.
Week ending March 14, 2026
New data in inflammatory dermatoses: targeted head–neck AD control, first oral IL‑23 blocker, refined acral melanoma dermoscopy, and updated HS risk signals
Systemic biologics and JAK inhibitors show strong efficacy for head–neck atopic dermatitis
This systematic review/meta-analysis pooled 32 studies with 11,372 patients to assess systemic therapy outcomes specifically in head–neck atopic dermatitis. At 16 weeks, mean EASI-HN reductions ranged from about 60–70% with dupilumab or lebrikizumab to 80–85% with upadacitinib or dupilumab plus topicals. EASI75-HN responses at 16 weeks ranged from 20% with baricitinib to 66% with upadacitinib 30 mg once daily. Head–neck responses were comparable to whole-body results, supporting use of biologics and JAK inhibitors in this high-burden distribution. Evidence for cyclosporine and methotrexate was sparse and not directly comparable, underscoring limited contemporary data for conventional agents.
Oral IL‑23R antagonist icotrokinra achieves high and durable psoriasis clearance
This narrative review summarizes phase 2b and 3 data for icotrokinra, an oral macrocyclic peptide selectively targeting IL‑23R in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Across pivotal ICONIC-ADVANCE trials, icotrokinra was superior to placebo for IGA 0/1 and PASI90 at week 16. At week 24, icotrokinra outperformed deucravacitinib, suggesting near-biologic efficacy from an oral agent. Extension studies showed durable responses to 52 weeks, including involvement of scalp, genital, and palmoplantar psoriasis. Adverse events were mostly mild and placebo-comparable, with no new safety or pharmacokinetic concerns reported over one year.
Parallel ridge and multicomponent patterns refine dermoscopic diagnosis of acral lentiginous melanoma
This systematic review/meta-analysis included 41 studies with 801 acral lentiginous melanomas and 8,845 acral nevi. Parallel ridge pattern was present in about 80% of ALM but under 1% of nevi, giving high sensitivity and specificity. Multicomponent structures were also strongly associated with ALM compared with nevi, adding diagnostic weight when present. Parallel furrow and latticelike patterns were significantly more common in nevi, supporting their reassuring significance on acral sites. The authors note that nearly 20% of ALM lacked parallel ridge, so absence of this sign cannot exclude melanoma.
References
Numbered in order of appearance. Click any reference to view details.
Additional Reads
Optional additional studies from this edition.