Researchers Unravel the Molecular Basis of Pigmentation Variation Among African Populations

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have discovered key insights into the molecular basis of skin color variations among African populations.  Their findings, published in Nature Genetics, broaden the understanding of human evolution and the genetics underpinning contemporary human skin color diversity. “Despite the abundant genetic diversity within African populations, they have been historically underrepresented in […]

Skin Microbiome Diversity Linked to Crow’s Feet, Skin Quality

New research suggests that skin microbiome diversity may be associated with skin aging. For the study, researchers at the Center for Microbiome Innovation (CMI) at the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) analyzed data collected during 13 studies from L’Oréal, consisting of 16S rRNA amplicon sequence data and corresponding skin clinical data for more […]

Dermavant’s Vtama Performs Well in Phase 3 AD Studies; New Data Paves Way for Upcoming sNDA Submission

Fully 80.7% of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients using Vtama (tapinarof) cream, 1% achieved Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI ) 75 in an integrated analysis of all the ADORING Program studies, Dermavant reports. Vtama cream is a novel, aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist in development as a once-daily, steroid-free, topical cream for both acute treatment and long-term management of AD. […]

TDD Industry News and Views: Weekly Updates on Comings, Goings, and Other Happenings in Dermatology

Rion Aesthetics Rolls Out Refillable Packaging for Exosome Serums Rion Aesthetics’ refillable packaging is made from 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic with most elements 100% ready for recycling. “The redesigned bottles embody simplicity and functionality, aiming to add consumer-friendly innovation while minimizing the environmental footprint traditionally associated with skincare purchases,” says Alisa Lask, the CEO of Rion […]

COVID-19 Infection May Up Alopecia Risk

COVID-19 has been linked to new onsets or flares of systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, and a new nationwide study out of South Korea suggests it may also increase risk for onset, exacerbation, and recurrence of alopecia areata (AA). The researchers conducted a population-based cohort study to investigate the association between […]

Addressing These Five Factors Will Empower Your HS Patients to Seek Treatment

With the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of secukinumab (Cosentyx, Novartis) and a full pipeline, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is having a moment.  Up until now, the TNF blocker adalimumab was the only approved treatment for moderate to severe HS in people 12 years and older. Now that there are more HS treatment options, Nicole Salame, MD, and […]

VYN201 Produces Positive Biomarker Changes in Vitiligo

VYN201 demonstrated a positive effect on key biomarkers relevant to nonsegmental vitiligo, according to new data from a Phase 1b Trial. VYNE Therapeutics Inc.’s VYN201 is a pan-bromodomain BET inhibitor designed to be locally administered to address diseases involving multiple, diverse inflammatory cell signaling pathways while providing low systemic exposure.  BET inhibitors have the potential to […]

Exploring the Tumor Suppressor Activity of the PTEN Protein in Melanoma

Scientists have made significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms leading to melanoma development, but precisely how the PTEN protein regulated melanoma progression was unclear until now. In a new study published in Cancer Research, Moffitt Cancer Center researchers showed  how the antitumor activity of PTEN suppresses the cancer-promoting activity of the FRA1 transcription factor through the AKT signaling pathway. Mutations […]

Uncovered: Bidirectional Link Between Autoimmune Disease and Perinatal Depression

Women with autoimmune disease are more likely to experience depression during pregnancy and after childbirth; conversely, women with a history of perinatal depression are at higher risk of developing autoimmune disease, according to a  new study in Molecular Psychiatry. For the study, researchers used data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register and identified all women who had […]

Gene Editing May Allow C. acnes to Treat Acne, Other Conditions

Cutibacterium acnes can be engineered to produce molecules that treat acne, a new study suggests. For the study, which is published in Nature Biotechnology, researchers successfully edited the genome of Cutibacterium acnes to secrete and produce NGAL protein known to be a mediator of the acne drug, isotretinoin, which has been shown to reduce sebum by inducing the death […]