The edition · Dermatology
Stopping systemic atopic dermatitis treatment: oral drugs relapse early, biologics hold remission longer
A network meta-analysis of remission maintenance after withdrawal or spacing in atopic dermatitis. Also: dazukibart in dermatomyositis out to 92 weeks, curly hair after alopecia areata regrowth, and ustekinumab biosimilars compared with the reference product.
The edition in brief
A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 55 studies assessed whether atopic dermatitis remission holds after systemic treatment is withdrawn, reduced or spaced out. Stopping oral drugs led to early relapse, while biologics showed more sustained remission, with lebrikizumab having the lowest estimated risk of losing EASI75 in a network of 9 studies and 13 regimens. A phase II extension of dazukibart in 16 adults with dermatomyositis reported mostly mild adverse events and sustained skin improvement to 92 weeks, in an open-label design. A retrospective study of 29 alopecia areata patients described acquired hair texture change after regrowth, usually 4 to 12 weeks after JAK inhibitor or steroid treatment or spontaneous regrowth. A meta-analysis of nine phase III trials (4,532 patients) found no significant PASI difference at 12 weeks between ustekinumab biosimilars and the reference product.
After remission in atopic dermatitis, oral drugs relapse early when stopped
Plan closer follow-up when oral therapy is stopped in eczema remission, and treat interval extension of biologics as more forgiving.
Dazukibart in dermatomyositis: skin scores improved through 92 weeks in a small open-label extension
Dazukibart looks promising in a very small open-label extension; keep it in the watch-list, not the treatment plan.
Curly or kinked hair after alopecia areata regrowth is a recognisable phenotype
Tell patients with severe alopecia areata that regrowing hair may come back curly, and that it is not a sign of treatment failure.
Document baseline severity before any systemic treatment break
Record severity and photographs before any planned treatment break so relapse is easy to recognise.
Ustekinumab biosimilars showed no significant efficacy difference from the reference product
Consider ustekinumab biosimilars as a comparable option where access or cost is a barrier, with routine response monitoring.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this one is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for dermatology, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free