30-Second Takeaway
- IL-17/23 biologics provide the highest short-term PASI90 with low serious AE rates for systemic plaque psoriasis treatment.
- Prospective data show dermoscopy-based AI matches dermatologist performance for melanoma detection and may enhance accuracy when used as assistance.
- Vitiligo severity assessment should incorporate 12 clinical and psychosocial upgrading criteria beyond BSA, informing escalation decisions and trial eligibility.
Week ending March 28, 2026
Evidence updates shaping daily dermatology: psoriasis therapeutics, melanoma AI, vitiligo severity, and emerging mechanisms
IL-17 and IL-23 biologics dominate short-term systemic efficacy for plaque psoriasis
Among adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors offered the highest short-term likelihood of achieving PASI90 responses. Existing oral systemic agents showed more modest efficacy yet remain important for patients preferring noninjectable options or with access barriers to biologics. Serious adverse events were uncommon for all evaluated systemic therapies and occurred at rates similar to placebo in the short term. These findings support prioritizing IL-17/23 biologics for rapid, deep clearance while individualizing oral choices according to patient preferences and constraints.
Prospective data show dermoscopy-based AI rivals dermatologists for melanoma detection
Across 11 prospective dermoscopic studies including over 2500 patients, stand-alone AI systems achieved sensitivity and specificity comparable to dermatologists for melanoma diagnosis. Pooled dermatologist performance was 78.6% sensitivity and 75.2% specificity, while AI alone reached 80.9% sensitivity and 75.6% specificity. In the only study of AI-assisted dermatologists, combined use achieved higher sensitivity and specificity than dermatologists alone. Most studies carried high risk of bias due to lesion preselection and binary classification, limiting generalizability to routine pigmented lesion clinics.
International consensus broadens vitiligo severity and relapse definitions beyond BSA
This global mixed-methods consensus defined vitiligo severity and relapse using clinical and psychosocial domains in addition to body surface area. Twelve upgrading criteria were agreed, including active spread, involvement of highly visible or high-impact areas, psychological distress, stigmatization, and overall burden. Minor criteria such as darker skin tones, younger age, scalp or facial hair involvement, sunburn risk, and career or school impact further raise severity classification. Relapse was defined as loss of pigmentation in previously repigmented lesions, regardless of whether repigmentation was spontaneous or treatment-induced.
References
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Additional Reads
Optional additional studies from this edition.