30-Second Takeaway
- French real-world data suggest ustekinumab and IL-23 inhibitors have the lowest infection signal among psoriasis biologics.
- In juvenile localized scleroderma, MMF provides disease control comparable to MTX with fewer fatigue and nausea symptoms.
- Nationwide Danish data show rising cSCC and in situ incidence, with shifting sex- and site-specific patterns informing surveillance.
- Real-world abrocitinib maintains meaningful AD responses in heavily pretreated adults, with mostly mild adverse events.
- HiSQOL-17 currently has the strongest psychometric support among HS-specific PROMs for clinical and research use.
Week ending January 31, 2026
Dermatology Grand Rounds: Biologic Safety, Pediatric Systemics, Keratinocyte Cancer Trends, and Emerging Tools
French national cohort compares infection risk across psoriasis biologics
This cohort included 39,669 adult new users of psoriasis biologics from the French National Health Data System (2013-2022). Overall, inpatient-treated infections were uncommon at 27.1 per 1000 person-years, and median systemic anti-infective exposure was low. Compared with adalimumab, inpatient infection risk was lower with ustekinumab, secukinumab, and risankizumab. First antibacterial use was higher with certolizumab and lower with ustekinumab, guselkumab, and risankizumab. Antibacterial coverage was lower with several IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors, though IL-17 inhibitors had greater antimycotic use. Despite claims-based limitations, ustekinumab and IL-23 inhibitors appeared to have the lowest composite infection risk.
MMF vs methotrexate in juvenile localized scleroderma
This single-center retrospective cohort evaluated methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and combination therapy in 114 juvenile localized scleroderma patients. Disease activity decreased significantly over time in all groups, with no difference in flare rates between methotrexate and mycophenolate. Mycophenolate patients had longer disease duration yet showed treatment responses comparable to methotrexate on standardized cutaneous scores. Fatigue and nausea were markedly more frequent with methotrexate than with mycophenolate. These findings support mycophenolate as a reasonable alternative when methotrexate tolerability or adherence is problematic.
Danish registry reveals rising cSCC and in situ disease
Using national pathology and cancer registries, investigators assessed first histologically confirmed cSCC, carcinoma in situ, and keratoacanthoma from 2005 to 2023. They identified 109,787 tumors among 95,352 adults, with age-standardized cSCC incidence increasing in both sexes. Carcinoma in situ incidence rose even more steeply, while keratoacanthoma incidence declined. cSCC and in situ lesions predominantly involved face, scalp, and neck, particularly in men, whereas women had higher lower-limb incidence. Women aged 40 to 59 years showed higher incidence across keratinocyte neoplasms than men, highlighting a growing surveillance target group.
Topical LNP base editing partially rescues TGM1 function in ARCI models
This preclinical study corrected the common ARCI-causing splice-site mutation TGM1 c.877-2A>G in human skin disease models. Barrier modulation followed by topical lipid nanoparticle delivery of a cytosine base editor restored about 30% of wild-type transglutaminase 1 activity. Repeat applications showed an excellent local safety profile, with no systemic nanoparticle or genetic cargo distribution on sensitive assays. Comprehensive off-target testing demonstrated minimal unintended editing in treated tissues. These data outline a feasible in situ gene correction strategy for severe genodermatoses pending human translation.
References
Numbered in order of appearance. Click any reference to view details.
Additional Reads
Optional additional studies from this edition.