Medical dermatology is ever changing with new therapies and new indications for existing therapies. Of all the latest medical advancements, here’s what ClubDerm’s Advisors & Contributors are most excited about this year.
Spotlight on Seb Derm
Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, FAAD, MSCI, and Aamir Hussain, MD, MAPP, are focused on a new treatment option for seborrheic dermatitis.

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, FAAD, MSCI
“This year is going to be the year we give love to chronic diseases that haven’t been in the spotlight previously,” Dr. Chovatiya said. “While it’s always hard to choose between great stories in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, among other inflammatory dermatoses, I want to highlight seborrheic dermatitis, or ‘seb derm.’ Seb derm is one of most common conditions we treat in clinical dermatology, yet its epidemiology, burden and pathophysiology remain largely mysterious. Upon the approval of the first targeted therapy of its kind ever for this condition at the end of last year, I look forward to changes in our clinical approach and subsequent generation of real-world evidence to help us rewrite the story on this disease.”

Aamir Hussain, MD, MAPP
“I am excited that Zoryve (roflumilast) has been approved for treatment of both plaque psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis,” Dr. Hussain said, “Many patients tend to have an overlap of both conditions known as sebopsoriasis, and it is great to have a treatment option that has a very favorable side effect profile. Additionally, there are plans to develop a foam formulation, which will be even easier for application into the scalp or other hair-bearing areas. As someone who sees seborrheic dermatitis, sebopsoriasis and plaque psoriasis quite frequently, I am excited for patients to have a new therapeutic option!”
New Treatment Option for HS
Blair Murphy Rose, MD, is enthusiastic about a newly approved treatment option for hidradenitis suppurativa.

Blair Murphy Rose, MD
“In medical dermatology, I am excited about new indications for well-known biologics. At the end of last year, the FDA approved secukinumab (Cosentyx) for hidradenitis suppurativa, which will help to treat many. Hidradenitis is quite prevalent and can be a debilitating condition. Access to, and coverage for, treatment options is imperative.”
Ritlecitinib’s Unique Action
Parth Patel, MD, FAAD, is looking forward to applications of JAK inhibitors throughout medical dermatology.

Parth Patel, MD, FAAD
“I am particularly interested in a kinase inhibitor called Litfulo (ritlecitinib) as it is uniquely acts on both the JAK3 and the TEC kinase family pathways, and seems to have a safer safety profile than other JAK inhibitors. In this manner, Litfulo targets the underlying autoimmune mechanisms believed to contribute to hair loss in alopecia areata. With few treatment options for severe alopecia areata, I am curious to see how Litfulo plays out in the real world this year.”
Reducing Precancerous Lesions and Skin Cancer Development
Jeremy Brauer, MD, is eager to increase the usage of lasers for skin cancer.

Jeremy Brauer, MD
“In medical dermatology, I am excited about the increasing interest and conversation around non-ablative fractional resurfacing laser treatments for not only the reduction of precancerous lesions but also of risk of development of new skin cancer. With several recent publications to bolster the existing literature from nearly a decade earlier, my hope is that public awareness and demand for these procedures grows.”
With additional scientific developments on the horizon, medical dermatology is poised to increase the number of treatments available for dermatologic conditions as well as introduce options for conditions where no treatments are currently available. With a focus on improving patients’ skin health and quality of life, this year is sure to be a banner year in medical dermatology.
Author
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Kim Campbell is the CEO of the Dermatology Authority, which provides Dermatologist’s career growth resources through a national job board, recruiting services, and practice start-up resources. They also coordinate educational seminars, speaker programs, webinars, board reviews and various other industry events. Kim started her career in dermatology launching the Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, which developed into a leadership role at Dermpath Diagnostics. She has her MA is Health Administration, with more than 20 years of experience in the business of Dermatology.
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