Dermatology

Topical ruxolitinib 1.5% gel: low systemic exposure and early benefit in prurigo nodularis

In a 4‑week phase I/II randomized trial (n=49), topical HDM3010 1.5% gel produced higher proportions of ≥4‑point WI‑NRS responders versus vehicle. Mean peak plasma concentrations were <7 ng/mL, indicating low systemic exposure at steady state. Treatment‑related adverse events were infrequent (overall 4.1%) and were mild‑to‑moderate. These results show favorable short‑term safety and efficacy signals in adults with prurigo nodularis, pending larger trials. 1

Continuous abrocitinib 200 mg outperforms variable dosing for sustained AD control

Pooled JADE analyses to week 48 showed EASI‑75 in 82% with continuous abrocitinib 200 mg versus 69% with variable dosing. PP‑NRS4 responses were 67% versus 44%, favoring continuous 200 mg for itch control. Serious adverse event rates were numerically higher in the variable‑dose cohort but without new safety signals. Continuous 200 mg maximizes efficacy; flexible dosing remains a viable option for patient‑specific tradeoffs. 2

Many asymptomatic skin‑exam seekers are low risk; targeted triage improves yield

Among 1,074 asymptomatic new patients seeking skin exams, 38 skin cancers were diagnosed after 146 biopsies. Most cancers occurred in skin phototypes I–III and risk rose with age; NNE was 181 for ≤50 years and 7 for ≥70 years. Patients with prior skin cancer had much higher yield (NNE 12 vs 52 without prior history). Triage by age, phototype, and prior skin‑cancer history can concentrate surveillance on higher‑risk individuals. 3