Autoimmune Diseases

Treatment with ruxolitinib cream (1.5%) achieved rapid and marked reductions in the clinical signs and symptoms of cutaneous lichen planus, including itch and skin pain, both when given twice daily and as needed, according to data from a phase 2 trial.

The research, presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2024 Congress, involved 64 patients older than 18 years. Ruxolitinib cream (Opzelura) is a topical formulation of a Janus kinase (JAK)1/JAK2 inhibitor, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating mild to moderate atopic dermatitis and for nonsegmental vitiligo in adults and children aged 12 years or older.

Courtesy Dr. Aaron Mangold

Ruxolitinib cream twice daily resulted in “significant improvements in cutaneous lichen planus disease severity vs vehicle” after 16 weeks of treatment, said the study presenter, Aaron R. Mangold, MD, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Further improvements were seen during another 16 weeks of additional open-label, as-needed application, he added, and the topical treatment was “generally well tolerated.”

Consequently, “ruxolitinib cream represents a promising potential treatment for cutaneous lichen planus,” Mangold concluded.

Asked to comment on the results, Adam Friedman, MD, Professor and Chair of Dermatology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, who was not involved with the study, said that in keeping with the characterization of lichen planus using the four Ps — purple, polygonal, pruritic, papules — it is “Pretty common, Predictably disabling and disfiguring, and Passed over again and again in the drug development world.”

He said in an interview that this chronic inflammatory skin condition, which affects roughly 2% of the population, also “lacks consensus on work-up and management, likely in part owing to the absence of sizable clinical trial data.”

A recent survey conducted at a meeting indicated that dermatologists “heavily lean on topical therapies for the management of all severity levels,” noted Friedman, one of the survey authors. “Therefore, the phase 2 data presented at EADV is a welcome addition to the mix.”
 

Phase 2 Study Results 

At the meeting, Mangold said that a previous proof-of-concept single-arm study in 12 patients suggested that topical ruxolitinib was highly effective in treating cutaneous lichen planus.

The current phase 2 trial enrolled 64 patients with predominantly cutaneous disease who had an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 3 or 4 and an Itch Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of ≥ 4. Their median age was 57 years, and 71.9% were women. Nearly 63% were White, 28.1% were Black, and 6.3% were Asian. The median duration of disease was 4.9 years, and 90.6% had received prior treatment for their lichen planus.

They were randomized to receive 1.5% ruxolitinib cream or a vehicle cream twice daily for 16 weeks, and following a primary endpoint assessment, they were transferred to an open-label extension period, during which they used ruxolitinib cream as needed for another 16 weeks. There was an additional 30-day safety follow-up period.

At week 16, significantly more patients treated with the ruxolitinib cream (50.0%) vs vehicle cream (21.9%) achieved IGA treatment success (the primary endpoint), defined as an IGA score of 0 or 1 with ≥ 2-grade improvement from baseline (odds ratio, 4.04; P = .0129).

In the open-label extension, when all patients used the active cream as needed, the proportion achieving IGA treatment success increased to 60% among the patients originally treated with ruxolitinib cream and 60.9% among those who switched from the vehicle cream.

A similar pattern was seen with Itch NRS scores. At 16 weeks, 57.7% of those treated with the ruxolitinib cream and 19.2% of those given the vehicle cream achieved an Itch NRS score of ≥ 4 (P < .01), rising to 84.2% and 73.3%, respectively, during the open-label extension.

The time to achievement of an Itch NRS of ≥ 4 was also significantly shorter with the ruxolitinib cream than with the vehicle cream (median days, 17 vs 97; hazard ratio, 2.85; P = .0008).

In both treatment groups, Skin Pain NRS scores decreased by a mean of 3.0 with ruxolitinib cream and 1.3 with the vehicle cream at week 16. By the end of the open-label extension, scores dropped by 4.3 among those who continued on active treatment and by 3.5 among those who switched from vehicle to topical ruxolitinib.

There were few treatment-emergent adverse events, with just three ruxolitinib patients affected during the randomized phase of the trial. There was one grade ≥ 3 event considered unrelated to the study drug, and no serious treatment-emergent adverse events were reported.

The most common adverse events during the randomized period were nasopharyngitis, hypertension, and contusion, all experienced by fewer than 10% of patients, whereas sinusitis, increased blood cholesterol levels, and increased blood creatine phosphokinase were most common in the open-label extension, experienced by no more than 5% of patients.

In the interview, Friedman commented that “these data provide hope that one day soon, there will be an FDA-approved, effective, and well-tolerated approach for this condition, validating the patient and supporting the dermatologist with an evidence-based option.”

The study was funded by Incyte. Mangold declared relationships with Argenx, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Clarivate, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, Nuvig Therapeutics, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Soligenix, Tourmaline Bio, AbbVie, Corbus, Eli Lilly, Kyowa, Merck, miRagen Therapeutics, Palvella Therapeutics, Priovant Therapeutics, and Adelphi Values. Friedman declared a relationship with Incyte, but it is not related to this topic.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Treatment with ruxolitinib cream (1.5%) achieved rapid and marked reductions in the clinical signs and symptoms of cutaneous lichen planus, including itch and skin pain, both when given twice daily and as needed, according to data from a phase 2 trial.

The research, presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2024 Congress, involved 64 patients older than 18 years. Ruxolitinib cream (Opzelura) is a topical formulation of a Janus kinase (JAK)1/JAK2 inhibitor, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating mild to moderate atopic dermatitis and for nonsegmental vitiligo in adults and children aged 12 years or older.

Courtesy Dr. Aaron Mangold

Ruxolitinib cream twice daily resulted in “significant improvements in cutaneous lichen planus disease severity vs vehicle” after 16 weeks of treatment, said the study presenter, Aaron R. Mangold, MD, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Further improvements were seen during another 16 weeks of additional open-label, as-needed application, he added, and the topical treatment was “generally well tolerated.”

Consequently, “ruxolitinib cream represents a promising potential treatment for cutaneous lichen planus,” Mangold concluded.

Asked to comment on the results, Adam Friedman, MD, Professor and Chair of Dermatology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, who was not involved with the study, said that in keeping with the characterization of lichen planus using the four Ps — purple, polygonal, pruritic, papules — it is “Pretty common, Predictably disabling and disfiguring, and Passed over again and again in the drug development world.”

He said in an interview that this chronic inflammatory skin condition, which affects roughly 2% of the population, also “lacks consensus on work-up and management, likely in part owing to the absence of sizable clinical trial data.”

A recent survey conducted at a meeting indicated that dermatologists “heavily lean on topical therapies for the management of all severity levels,” noted Friedman, one of the survey authors. “Therefore, the phase 2 data presented at EADV is a welcome addition to the mix.”
 

Phase 2 Study Results 

At the meeting, Mangold said that a previous proof-of-concept single-arm study in 12 patients suggested that topical ruxolitinib was highly effective in treating cutaneous lichen planus.

The current phase 2 trial enrolled 64 patients with predominantly cutaneous disease who had an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 3 or 4 and an Itch Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of ≥ 4. Their median age was 57 years, and 71.9% were women. Nearly 63% were White, 28.1% were Black, and 6.3% were Asian. The median duration of disease was 4.9 years, and 90.6% had received prior treatment for their lichen planus.

They were randomized to receive 1.5% ruxolitinib cream or a vehicle cream twice daily for 16 weeks, and following a primary endpoint assessment, they were transferred to an open-label extension period, during which they used ruxolitinib cream as needed for another 16 weeks. There was an additional 30-day safety follow-up period.

At week 16, significantly more patients treated with the ruxolitinib cream (50.0%) vs vehicle cream (21.9%) achieved IGA treatment success (the primary endpoint), defined as an IGA score of 0 or 1 with ≥ 2-grade improvement from baseline (odds ratio, 4.04; P = .0129).

In the open-label extension, when all patients used the active cream as needed, the proportion achieving IGA treatment success increased to 60% among the patients originally treated with ruxolitinib cream and 60.9% among those who switched from the vehicle cream.

A similar pattern was seen with Itch NRS scores. At 16 weeks, 57.7% of those treated with the ruxolitinib cream and 19.2% of those given the vehicle cream achieved an Itch NRS score of ≥ 4 (P < .01), rising to 84.2% and 73.3%, respectively, during the open-label extension.

The time to achievement of an Itch NRS of ≥ 4 was also significantly shorter with the ruxolitinib cream than with the vehicle cream (median days, 17 vs 97; hazard ratio, 2.85; P = .0008).

In both treatment groups, Skin Pain NRS scores decreased by a mean of 3.0 with ruxolitinib cream and 1.3 with the vehicle cream at week 16. By the end of the open-label extension, scores dropped by 4.3 among those who continued on active treatment and by 3.5 among those who switched from vehicle to topical ruxolitinib.

There were few treatment-emergent adverse events, with just three ruxolitinib patients affected during the randomized phase of the trial. There was one grade ≥ 3 event considered unrelated to the study drug, and no serious treatment-emergent adverse events were reported.

The most common adverse events during the randomized period were nasopharyngitis, hypertension, and contusion, all experienced by fewer than 10% of patients, whereas sinusitis, increased blood cholesterol levels, and increased blood creatine phosphokinase were most common in the open-label extension, experienced by no more than 5% of patients.

In the interview, Friedman commented that “these data provide hope that one day soon, there will be an FDA-approved, effective, and well-tolerated approach for this condition, validating the patient and supporting the dermatologist with an evidence-based option.”

The study was funded by Incyte. Mangold declared relationships with Argenx, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Clarivate, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, Nuvig Therapeutics, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Soligenix, Tourmaline Bio, AbbVie, Corbus, Eli Lilly, Kyowa, Merck, miRagen Therapeutics, Palvella Therapeutics, Priovant Therapeutics, and Adelphi Values. Friedman declared a relationship with Incyte, but it is not related to this topic.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Treatment with ruxolitinib cream (1.5%) achieved rapid and marked reductions in the clinical signs and symptoms of cutaneous lichen planus, including itch and skin pain, both when given twice daily and as needed, according to data from a phase 2 trial.

The research, presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2024 Congress, involved 64 patients older than 18 years. Ruxolitinib cream (Opzelura) is a topical formulation of a Janus kinase (JAK)1/JAK2 inhibitor, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating mild to moderate atopic dermatitis and for nonsegmental vitiligo in adults and children aged 12 years or older.

Courtesy Dr. Aaron Mangold

Ruxolitinib cream twice daily resulted in “significant improvements in cutaneous lichen planus disease severity vs vehicle” after 16 weeks of treatment, said the study presenter, Aaron R. Mangold, MD, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Further improvements were seen during another 16 weeks of additional open-label, as-needed application, he added, and the topical treatment was “generally well tolerated.”

Consequently, “ruxolitinib cream represents a promising potential treatment for cutaneous lichen planus,” Mangold concluded.

Asked to comment on the results, Adam Friedman, MD, Professor and Chair of Dermatology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, who was not involved with the study, said that in keeping with the characterization of lichen planus using the four Ps — purple, polygonal, pruritic, papules — it is “Pretty common, Predictably disabling and disfiguring, and Passed over again and again in the drug development world.”

He said in an interview that this chronic inflammatory skin condition, which affects roughly 2% of the population, also “lacks consensus on work-up and management, likely in part owing to the absence of sizable clinical trial data.”

A recent survey conducted at a meeting indicated that dermatologists “heavily lean on topical therapies for the management of all severity levels,” noted Friedman, one of the survey authors. “Therefore, the phase 2 data presented at EADV is a welcome addition to the mix.”
 

Phase 2 Study Results 

At the meeting, Mangold said that a previous proof-of-concept single-arm study in 12 patients suggested that topical ruxolitinib was highly effective in treating cutaneous lichen planus.

The current phase 2 trial enrolled 64 patients with predominantly cutaneous disease who had an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 3 or 4 and an Itch Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of ≥ 4. Their median age was 57 years, and 71.9% were women. Nearly 63% were White, 28.1% were Black, and 6.3% were Asian. The median duration of disease was 4.9 years, and 90.6% had received prior treatment for their lichen planus.

They were randomized to receive 1.5% ruxolitinib cream or a vehicle cream twice daily for 16 weeks, and following a primary endpoint assessment, they were transferred to an open-label extension period, during which they used ruxolitinib cream as needed for another 16 weeks. There was an additional 30-day safety follow-up period.

At week 16, significantly more patients treated with the ruxolitinib cream (50.0%) vs vehicle cream (21.9%) achieved IGA treatment success (the primary endpoint), defined as an IGA score of 0 or 1 with ≥ 2-grade improvement from baseline (odds ratio, 4.04; P = .0129).

In the open-label extension, when all patients used the active cream as needed, the proportion achieving IGA treatment success increased to 60% among the patients originally treated with ruxolitinib cream and 60.9% among those who switched from the vehicle cream.

A similar pattern was seen with Itch NRS scores. At 16 weeks, 57.7% of those treated with the ruxolitinib cream and 19.2% of those given the vehicle cream achieved an Itch NRS score of ≥ 4 (P < .01), rising to 84.2% and 73.3%, respectively, during the open-label extension.

The time to achievement of an Itch NRS of ≥ 4 was also significantly shorter with the ruxolitinib cream than with the vehicle cream (median days, 17 vs 97; hazard ratio, 2.85; P = .0008).

In both treatment groups, Skin Pain NRS scores decreased by a mean of 3.0 with ruxolitinib cream and 1.3 with the vehicle cream at week 16. By the end of the open-label extension, scores dropped by 4.3 among those who continued on active treatment and by 3.5 among those who switched from vehicle to topical ruxolitinib.

There were few treatment-emergent adverse events, with just three ruxolitinib patients affected during the randomized phase of the trial. There was one grade ≥ 3 event considered unrelated to the study drug, and no serious treatment-emergent adverse events were reported.

The most common adverse events during the randomized period were nasopharyngitis, hypertension, and contusion, all experienced by fewer than 10% of patients, whereas sinusitis, increased blood cholesterol levels, and increased blood creatine phosphokinase were most common in the open-label extension, experienced by no more than 5% of patients.

In the interview, Friedman commented that “these data provide hope that one day soon, there will be an FDA-approved, effective, and well-tolerated approach for this condition, validating the patient and supporting the dermatologist with an evidence-based option.”

The study was funded by Incyte. Mangold declared relationships with Argenx, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Clarivate, Incyte Corporation, Janssen, Nuvig Therapeutics, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Soligenix, Tourmaline Bio, AbbVie, Corbus, Eli Lilly, Kyowa, Merck, miRagen Therapeutics, Palvella Therapeutics, Priovant Therapeutics, and Adelphi Values. Friedman declared a relationship with Incyte, but it is not related to this topic.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

COVID-19 infection increases the risk for autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBDs), specifically pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid, according to a study that also found that vaccination against COVID-19 is associated with a reduced risk for these conditions.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using data from the TriNetX Analytics Network, encompassing over 112 million electronic health records in the United States.
• The study compared the risk for AIBD within 3 months among individuals who had COVID-19 infection and no COVID-19 vaccination 6 months prior to the infection (n = 4,787,106), individuals who had COVID-19 vaccination but did not have COVID-19 infection (n = 3,466,536), and individuals who did not have COVID-19 infection or vaccination (n = 5,609,197).
• The mean age of the three groups was 44.9, 52.3, and 49.3 years, respectively.
• Propensity score matching included 4,408,748 individuals each for the comparison between COVID-19 infection and controls, 3,465,420 for COVID-19 vaccination and controls, and 3,362,850 for COVID-19 infection and vaccination. The mean follow-up ranged from 72.2 to 76.3 days.

TAKEAWAY:

• Individuals with COVID-19 infection showed a 50.8% increased risk for AIBD within 3 months (P < .001) compared with those without infection or vaccination. The risk was more pronounced for pemphigus (hazard ratio [HR], 2.432; P < .001) than bullous pemphigoid (HR, 1.376; P = .036).
• On the contrary, individuals who had the COVID-19 vaccination showed almost half the risk for AIBD (HR, 0.514; P < .001). The risk reduction was significant for pemphigus (HR, 0.477; P = .030), but not for bullous pemphigoid (HR, 0.846).
• When the infection and vaccination groups were compared, COVID-19 infection increased AIBD risk by more than threefold (HR, 3.130; P < .001), with a particularly high risk for pemphigus (HR, 5.508; P < .001). A significant risk was also seen for bullous pemphigoid (HR, 1.587; P = .008).

IN PRACTICE:

“The findings underscore the importance of vaccination not only in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes but also in potentially protecting against autoimmune complications,” the authors wrote, adding that “this potential dual benefit of vaccination should be a key message in public health campaigns and clinical practice to enhance vaccine uptake and ultimately improve health outcomes.”

SOURCE:

The study was led by Philip Curman, MD, PhD, of the Dermato-Venereology Clinic at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, and was published online on November 7 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The retrospective design has inherent biases, there is potential underreporting of COVID-19 cases and vaccinations, and there is misallocation of individuals. Unmeasured confounding factors may be present.

DISCLOSURES:

This study was funded by grant from the State of Schleswig-Holstein. Two authors were employees of TriNetX. Some authors received financial support and travel grants from various sources, including TriNetX. Additional disclosures are noted in the article.
 

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

COVID-19 infection increases the risk for autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBDs), specifically pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid, according to a study that also found that vaccination against COVID-19 is associated with a reduced risk for these conditions.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using data from the TriNetX Analytics Network, encompassing over 112 million electronic health records in the United States.
• The study compared the risk for AIBD within 3 months among individuals who had COVID-19 infection and no COVID-19 vaccination 6 months prior to the infection (n = 4,787,106), individuals who had COVID-19 vaccination but did not have COVID-19 infection (n = 3,466,536), and individuals who did not have COVID-19 infection or vaccination (n = 5,609,197).
• The mean age of the three groups was 44.9, 52.3, and 49.3 years, respectively.
• Propensity score matching included 4,408,748 individuals each for the comparison between COVID-19 infection and controls, 3,465,420 for COVID-19 vaccination and controls, and 3,362,850 for COVID-19 infection and vaccination. The mean follow-up ranged from 72.2 to 76.3 days.

TAKEAWAY:

• Individuals with COVID-19 infection showed a 50.8% increased risk for AIBD within 3 months (P < .001) compared with those without infection or vaccination. The risk was more pronounced for pemphigus (hazard ratio [HR], 2.432; P < .001) than bullous pemphigoid (HR, 1.376; P = .036).
• On the contrary, individuals who had the COVID-19 vaccination showed almost half the risk for AIBD (HR, 0.514; P < .001). The risk reduction was significant for pemphigus (HR, 0.477; P = .030), but not for bullous pemphigoid (HR, 0.846).
• When the infection and vaccination groups were compared, COVID-19 infection increased AIBD risk by more than threefold (HR, 3.130; P < .001), with a particularly high risk for pemphigus (HR, 5.508; P < .001). A significant risk was also seen for bullous pemphigoid (HR, 1.587; P = .008).

IN PRACTICE:

“The findings underscore the importance of vaccination not only in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes but also in potentially protecting against autoimmune complications,” the authors wrote, adding that “this potential dual benefit of vaccination should be a key message in public health campaigns and clinical practice to enhance vaccine uptake and ultimately improve health outcomes.”

SOURCE:

The study was led by Philip Curman, MD, PhD, of the Dermato-Venereology Clinic at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, and was published online on November 7 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The retrospective design has inherent biases, there is potential underreporting of COVID-19 cases and vaccinations, and there is misallocation of individuals. Unmeasured confounding factors may be present.

DISCLOSURES:

This study was funded by grant from the State of Schleswig-Holstein. Two authors were employees of TriNetX. Some authors received financial support and travel grants from various sources, including TriNetX. Additional disclosures are noted in the article.
 

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

COVID-19 infection increases the risk for autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBDs), specifically pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid, according to a study that also found that vaccination against COVID-19 is associated with a reduced risk for these conditions.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using data from the TriNetX Analytics Network, encompassing over 112 million electronic health records in the United States.
• The study compared the risk for AIBD within 3 months among individuals who had COVID-19 infection and no COVID-19 vaccination 6 months prior to the infection (n = 4,787,106), individuals who had COVID-19 vaccination but did not have COVID-19 infection (n = 3,466,536), and individuals who did not have COVID-19 infection or vaccination (n = 5,609,197).
• The mean age of the three groups was 44.9, 52.3, and 49.3 years, respectively.
• Propensity score matching included 4,408,748 individuals each for the comparison between COVID-19 infection and controls, 3,465,420 for COVID-19 vaccination and controls, and 3,362,850 for COVID-19 infection and vaccination. The mean follow-up ranged from 72.2 to 76.3 days.

TAKEAWAY:

• Individuals with COVID-19 infection showed a 50.8% increased risk for AIBD within 3 months (P < .001) compared with those without infection or vaccination. The risk was more pronounced for pemphigus (hazard ratio [HR], 2.432; P < .001) than bullous pemphigoid (HR, 1.376; P = .036).
• On the contrary, individuals who had the COVID-19 vaccination showed almost half the risk for AIBD (HR, 0.514; P < .001). The risk reduction was significant for pemphigus (HR, 0.477; P = .030), but not for bullous pemphigoid (HR, 0.846).
• When the infection and vaccination groups were compared, COVID-19 infection increased AIBD risk by more than threefold (HR, 3.130; P < .001), with a particularly high risk for pemphigus (HR, 5.508; P < .001). A significant risk was also seen for bullous pemphigoid (HR, 1.587; P = .008).

IN PRACTICE:

“The findings underscore the importance of vaccination not only in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes but also in potentially protecting against autoimmune complications,” the authors wrote, adding that “this potential dual benefit of vaccination should be a key message in public health campaigns and clinical practice to enhance vaccine uptake and ultimately improve health outcomes.”

SOURCE:

The study was led by Philip Curman, MD, PhD, of the Dermato-Venereology Clinic at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, and was published online on November 7 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The retrospective design has inherent biases, there is potential underreporting of COVID-19 cases and vaccinations, and there is misallocation of individuals. Unmeasured confounding factors may be present.

DISCLOSURES:

This study was funded by grant from the State of Schleswig-Holstein. Two authors were employees of TriNetX. Some authors received financial support and travel grants from various sources, including TriNetX. Additional disclosures are noted in the article.
 

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

To the Editor:

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease that results in excessive collagen deposition in the skin and other organs throughout the body. On its own or in the setting of mixed connective tissue disease, scleroderma can result in systemic or localized symptoms that can limit patients’ functional capabilities, cause pain and discomfort, and reduce self-esteem—all negatively impacting patients’ quality of life.^1,2 Neck sclerosis is a common manifestation of scleroderma. There is no curative treatment for scleroderma; thus, therapy is focused on slowing disease progression and improving quality of life. We present a case of neck sclerosis in a 44-year-old woman with scleroderma that was successfully treated with botulinum toxin (BTX) type A injection, resulting in improved skin laxity and appearance with high patient satisfaction. Our case demonstrates the potential positive effects of BTX treatment in patients with features of sclerosis or fibrosis, particularly in the neck region.

A 44-year-old woman presented to the dermatology clinic for treatment of thickened neck skin with stiffness and tightness that had been present for months to years. She had a history of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)(positive anti-ribonucleoprotein, anti–Sjögren syndrome–related antigen, and anti-Smith antibodies) with features of scleroderma and polyarthritis. The patient currently was taking sulfasalazine for the polyarthritis; she previously had taken hydroxychloroquine but discontinued treatment due to ineffectiveness. She was not taking any topical or systemic medications for scleroderma. On physical examination, the skin on the anterior neck appeared thickened with shiny patches (Figure 1). Pinching the skin in the affected area demonstrated ­sclerosis with high tension.

Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disorder that results in excessive collagen deposition in the skin and other organs throughout the body.⁴ Although the etiology is unknown, scleroderma develops when overactivation of the immune system leads to CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte infiltration in the skin, along with the release of profibrotic interleukins and growth factors, resulting in fibrosis.⁴ Subtypes include localized scleroderma (morphea), limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (formerly known as CREST [calcinosis, RP, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia] syndrome), diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, and systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma.⁵ Scleroderma is associated with positive antinuclear antibodies and HLA II alleles (HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR5).

On its own or in the setting of MCTD, scleroderma can result in systemic or localized symptoms. Overall, the most common symptom is RP.⁵ Localized scleroderma and limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis manifest with symptoms of the skin and underlying tissues. Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis involves cutaneous and visceral symptoms, including lung, esophageal, and vascular involvement.⁶ Similar to MCTD, scleroderma is most prevalent in middle-aged females,⁷ though it occurs at a higher rate and with a more severe disease course in Black patients.⁸

A highly sensitive and specific test for scleroderma that can aid in diagnosis is the neck sign—tightening of the skin of the neck when the head extends.^9,10 In one study, the neck sign was positive in more than 90% of patients with scleroderma and negative for control patients and those with primary RP.⁹ Thus, neck sclerosis is a common manifestation of scleroderma for which patients may seek treatment.

While there is no curative treatment for scleroderma, skin manifestations can be treated with mycophenolate mofetil or methotrexate.⁵ Systemic treatments may be recommended if the patient has additional symptoms, such as azathioprine for myositis/arthritis and cyclophosphamide for interstitial lung disease.⁵ However, it is important to note that these medications are associated with risk for gastrointestinal upset, mouth sores, fatigue, or other complications.

Botulinum toxin is a bacterial protein toxin and neuromodulator that inhibits neurotransmitter release by cleaving SNARE proteins at peripheral nerve terminal junctions.¹¹ It has been used in a variety of dermatologic and nondermatologic conditions, including migraines, hyperhidrosis, contractures, scars, and overactive bladder. It also has been used in aesthetics for facial rejuvenation and minimization of wrinkle appearance. Dermatologists and rheumatologists have successfully used BTX to treat primary and secondary RP—the most common symptom of scleroderma—due to its vasodilatation properties.¹² Although our patient did not have RP, use of BTX to treat other features of scleroderma, including en coup de sabre, thoracic outlet syndrome, dyspareunia, gastroparesis, pterygium inversum unguis, and dysphagia has been documented.^13-18 An in vivo mouse study that examined the possible mechanism for BTX as a treatment in scleroderma found that BTX injections significantly decreased dermal thickness and inflammation in fibrosis (P<.05). An analysis of oxidative stress and mRNA expression showed that BTX may treat fibrosis by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory cells, resulting in decreased apoptosis and oxidant-induced intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species.¹⁹ Another animal study demonstrated the positive effects of BTX treatment for fibrosis of the bladder in rats.²⁰ In one case report, a female patient with scleroderma and facial fibrosis received perioral BTX injections for cosmetic purposes but also observed improvement in mouth constriction, demonstrating the potential efficacy of BTX for facial fibrosis.²¹

Our case demonstrates the potential positive effects of BTX treatment in patients with features of sclerosis or fibrosis, particularly in the neck region. We recommend assessing the efficacy of the initial BTX treatment after 2 to 3 weeks, with additional injections as needed to achieve the patient’s desired level of comfort and appearance at approximately 3-month intervals (aligning with the expected duration of efficacy of BTX).²² Our patient experienced considerable relief and high satisfaction with BTX treatment. Given the limitations of sclerosis treatments and the unwanted adverse-effect profile of systemic treatments, BTX injections may be a preferrable treatment option for cutaneous manifestations of ­scleroderma among patients. Future studies with larger patient populations and a control group are warranted to further explore the use of BTX for the dermatologic treatment of scleroderma.

To the Editor:

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease that results in excessive collagen deposition in the skin and other organs throughout the body. On its own or in the setting of mixed connective tissue disease, scleroderma can result in systemic or localized symptoms that can limit patients’ functional capabilities, cause pain and discomfort, and reduce self-esteem—all negatively impacting patients’ quality of life.^1,2 Neck sclerosis is a common manifestation of scleroderma. There is no curative treatment for scleroderma; thus, therapy is focused on slowing disease progression and improving quality of life. We present a case of neck sclerosis in a 44-year-old woman with scleroderma that was successfully treated with botulinum toxin (BTX) type A injection, resulting in improved skin laxity and appearance with high patient satisfaction. Our case demonstrates the potential positive effects of BTX treatment in patients with features of sclerosis or fibrosis, particularly in the neck region.

A 44-year-old woman presented to the dermatology clinic for treatment of thickened neck skin with stiffness and tightness that had been present for months to years. She had a history of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)(positive anti-ribonucleoprotein, anti–Sjögren syndrome–related antigen, and anti-Smith antibodies) with features of scleroderma and polyarthritis. The patient currently was taking sulfasalazine for the polyarthritis; she previously had taken hydroxychloroquine but discontinued treatment due to ineffectiveness. She was not taking any topical or systemic medications for scleroderma. On physical examination, the skin on the anterior neck appeared thickened with shiny patches (Figure 1). Pinching the skin in the affected area demonstrated ­sclerosis with high tension.

Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disorder that results in excessive collagen deposition in the skin and other organs throughout the body.⁴ Although the etiology is unknown, scleroderma develops when overactivation of the immune system leads to CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte infiltration in the skin, along with the release of profibrotic interleukins and growth factors, resulting in fibrosis.⁴ Subtypes include localized scleroderma (morphea), limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (formerly known as CREST [calcinosis, RP, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia] syndrome), diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, and systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma.⁵ Scleroderma is associated with positive antinuclear antibodies and HLA II alleles (HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR5).

On its own or in the setting of MCTD, scleroderma can result in systemic or localized symptoms. Overall, the most common symptom is RP.⁵ Localized scleroderma and limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis manifest with symptoms of the skin and underlying tissues. Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis involves cutaneous and visceral symptoms, including lung, esophageal, and vascular involvement.⁶ Similar to MCTD, scleroderma is most prevalent in middle-aged females,⁷ though it occurs at a higher rate and with a more severe disease course in Black patients.⁸

A highly sensitive and specific test for scleroderma that can aid in diagnosis is the neck sign—tightening of the skin of the neck when the head extends.^9,10 In one study, the neck sign was positive in more than 90% of patients with scleroderma and negative for control patients and those with primary RP.⁹ Thus, neck sclerosis is a common manifestation of scleroderma for which patients may seek treatment.

While there is no curative treatment for scleroderma, skin manifestations can be treated with mycophenolate mofetil or methotrexate.⁵ Systemic treatments may be recommended if the patient has additional symptoms, such as azathioprine for myositis/arthritis and cyclophosphamide for interstitial lung disease.⁵ However, it is important to note that these medications are associated with risk for gastrointestinal upset, mouth sores, fatigue, or other complications.

Botulinum toxin is a bacterial protein toxin and neuromodulator that inhibits neurotransmitter release by cleaving SNARE proteins at peripheral nerve terminal junctions.¹¹ It has been used in a variety of dermatologic and nondermatologic conditions, including migraines, hyperhidrosis, contractures, scars, and overactive bladder. It also has been used in aesthetics for facial rejuvenation and minimization of wrinkle appearance. Dermatologists and rheumatologists have successfully used BTX to treat primary and secondary RP—the most common symptom of scleroderma—due to its vasodilatation properties.¹² Although our patient did not have RP, use of BTX to treat other features of scleroderma, including en coup de sabre, thoracic outlet syndrome, dyspareunia, gastroparesis, pterygium inversum unguis, and dysphagia has been documented.^13-18 An in vivo mouse study that examined the possible mechanism for BTX as a treatment in scleroderma found that BTX injections significantly decreased dermal thickness and inflammation in fibrosis (P<.05). An analysis of oxidative stress and mRNA expression showed that BTX may treat fibrosis by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory cells, resulting in decreased apoptosis and oxidant-induced intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species.¹⁹ Another animal study demonstrated the positive effects of BTX treatment for fibrosis of the bladder in rats.²⁰ In one case report, a female patient with scleroderma and facial fibrosis received perioral BTX injections for cosmetic purposes but also observed improvement in mouth constriction, demonstrating the potential efficacy of BTX for facial fibrosis.²¹

Our case demonstrates the potential positive effects of BTX treatment in patients with features of sclerosis or fibrosis, particularly in the neck region. We recommend assessing the efficacy of the initial BTX treatment after 2 to 3 weeks, with additional injections as needed to achieve the patient’s desired level of comfort and appearance at approximately 3-month intervals (aligning with the expected duration of efficacy of BTX).²² Our patient experienced considerable relief and high satisfaction with BTX treatment. Given the limitations of sclerosis treatments and the unwanted adverse-effect profile of systemic treatments, BTX injections may be a preferrable treatment option for cutaneous manifestations of ­scleroderma among patients. Future studies with larger patient populations and a control group are warranted to further explore the use of BTX for the dermatologic treatment of scleroderma.

To the Editor:

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease that results in excessive collagen deposition in the skin and other organs throughout the body. On its own or in the setting of mixed connective tissue disease, scleroderma can result in systemic or localized symptoms that can limit patients’ functional capabilities, cause pain and discomfort, and reduce self-esteem—all negatively impacting patients’ quality of life.^1,2 Neck sclerosis is a common manifestation of scleroderma. There is no curative treatment for scleroderma; thus, therapy is focused on slowing disease progression and improving quality of life. We present a case of neck sclerosis in a 44-year-old woman with scleroderma that was successfully treated with botulinum toxin (BTX) type A injection, resulting in improved skin laxity and appearance with high patient satisfaction. Our case demonstrates the potential positive effects of BTX treatment in patients with features of sclerosis or fibrosis, particularly in the neck region.

A 44-year-old woman presented to the dermatology clinic for treatment of thickened neck skin with stiffness and tightness that had been present for months to years. She had a history of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)(positive anti-ribonucleoprotein, anti–Sjögren syndrome–related antigen, and anti-Smith antibodies) with features of scleroderma and polyarthritis. The patient currently was taking sulfasalazine for the polyarthritis; she previously had taken hydroxychloroquine but discontinued treatment due to ineffectiveness. She was not taking any topical or systemic medications for scleroderma. On physical examination, the skin on the anterior neck appeared thickened with shiny patches (Figure 1). Pinching the skin in the affected area demonstrated ­sclerosis with high tension.

Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disorder that results in excessive collagen deposition in the skin and other organs throughout the body.⁴ Although the etiology is unknown, scleroderma develops when overactivation of the immune system leads to CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte infiltration in the skin, along with the release of profibrotic interleukins and growth factors, resulting in fibrosis.⁴ Subtypes include localized scleroderma (morphea), limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (formerly known as CREST [calcinosis, RP, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia] syndrome), diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, and systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma.⁵ Scleroderma is associated with positive antinuclear antibodies and HLA II alleles (HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR5).

On its own or in the setting of MCTD, scleroderma can result in systemic or localized symptoms. Overall, the most common symptom is RP.⁵ Localized scleroderma and limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis manifest with symptoms of the skin and underlying tissues. Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis involves cutaneous and visceral symptoms, including lung, esophageal, and vascular involvement.⁶ Similar to MCTD, scleroderma is most prevalent in middle-aged females,⁷ though it occurs at a higher rate and with a more severe disease course in Black patients.⁸

A highly sensitive and specific test for scleroderma that can aid in diagnosis is the neck sign—tightening of the skin of the neck when the head extends.^9,10 In one study, the neck sign was positive in more than 90% of patients with scleroderma and negative for control patients and those with primary RP.⁹ Thus, neck sclerosis is a common manifestation of scleroderma for which patients may seek treatment.

While there is no curative treatment for scleroderma, skin manifestations can be treated with mycophenolate mofetil or methotrexate.⁵ Systemic treatments may be recommended if the patient has additional symptoms, such as azathioprine for myositis/arthritis and cyclophosphamide for interstitial lung disease.⁵ However, it is important to note that these medications are associated with risk for gastrointestinal upset, mouth sores, fatigue, or other complications.

Botulinum toxin is a bacterial protein toxin and neuromodulator that inhibits neurotransmitter release by cleaving SNARE proteins at peripheral nerve terminal junctions.¹¹ It has been used in a variety of dermatologic and nondermatologic conditions, including migraines, hyperhidrosis, contractures, scars, and overactive bladder. It also has been used in aesthetics for facial rejuvenation and minimization of wrinkle appearance. Dermatologists and rheumatologists have successfully used BTX to treat primary and secondary RP—the most common symptom of scleroderma—due to its vasodilatation properties.¹² Although our patient did not have RP, use of BTX to treat other features of scleroderma, including en coup de sabre, thoracic outlet syndrome, dyspareunia, gastroparesis, pterygium inversum unguis, and dysphagia has been documented.^13-18 An in vivo mouse study that examined the possible mechanism for BTX as a treatment in scleroderma found that BTX injections significantly decreased dermal thickness and inflammation in fibrosis (P<.05). An analysis of oxidative stress and mRNA expression showed that BTX may treat fibrosis by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory cells, resulting in decreased apoptosis and oxidant-induced intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species.¹⁹ Another animal study demonstrated the positive effects of BTX treatment for fibrosis of the bladder in rats.²⁰ In one case report, a female patient with scleroderma and facial fibrosis received perioral BTX injections for cosmetic purposes but also observed improvement in mouth constriction, demonstrating the potential efficacy of BTX for facial fibrosis.²¹

Our case demonstrates the potential positive effects of BTX treatment in patients with features of sclerosis or fibrosis, particularly in the neck region. We recommend assessing the efficacy of the initial BTX treatment after 2 to 3 weeks, with additional injections as needed to achieve the patient’s desired level of comfort and appearance at approximately 3-month intervals (aligning with the expected duration of efficacy of BTX).²² Our patient experienced considerable relief and high satisfaction with BTX treatment. Given the limitations of sclerosis treatments and the unwanted adverse-effect profile of systemic treatments, BTX injections may be a preferrable treatment option for cutaneous manifestations of ­scleroderma among patients. Future studies with larger patient populations and a control group are warranted to further explore the use of BTX for the dermatologic treatment of scleroderma.

TOPLINE:

Patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) experienced improved symptoms with iberdomide, a cereblon modulator, added to standard lupus medications, particularly in subacute and chronic cases.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a randomized phase 2 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of iberdomide in 288 patients with CLE (mean age, 45 years; 97% women). Iberdomide is a cereblon modulator, which results in degradation of two transcription factors of immune cell development and homeostasis — Ikaros and Aiolos — that have been implicated in the genetic predisposition of systemic lupus.
• CLE Disease Area and Severity Index Activity (CLASI-A) endpoints included mean percent change from baseline and ≥ 50% reduction from baseline (CLASI-50), which were evaluated in all patients with baseline CLASI-A scores ≥ 8 and by CLE subtypes (acute, subacute, and chronic).
• At baseline, 56% of patients had acute CLE, 29% had chronic CLE, and 16% had subacute CLE; 28% of patients had a baseline CLASI-A score ≥ 8.
• Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral iberdomide (0.45 mg, 0.30 mg, 0.15 mg, or placebo daily) for 24 weeks while continuing standard lupus medications. At week 24, patients on placebo were rerandomized to iberdomide 0.45 mg or 0.30 mg once a day, while those on iberdomide continued their assigned dose through week 52.

TAKEAWAY:

• Among patients with baseline CLASI-A ≥ 8, the mean change in CLASI-A score from baseline at week 24 was −66.7% for those on iberdomide 0.45 mg vs −54.2% for placebo (P = .295).
• At week 24, patients with subacute CLE showed a significantly greater mean percent change from baseline in CLASI-A with iberdomide 0.45 mg vs placebo (−90.5% vs −51.2%; P = .007), while no significant differences were observed with the 0.45-mg dose vs placebo in patients with chronic or acute CLE.
• Overall, CLASI-50 responses were not significantly different among those on 0.45 mg vs placebo (55.6% vs 44.6%). The proportions of patients achieving CLASI-50 at week 24 were significantly greater for iberdomide 0.45 mg vs placebo for those with subacute CLE (91.7% vs 52.9%; P = .035) and chronic CLE (62.1% vs 27.8%; P = .029), but not for those with baseline CLASI-A ≥ 8 (66.7% vs 50%).
• More than 80% of patients had treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), which were mostly mild to moderate. Over 2 years, the most common were urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infections, neutropenia, and nasopharyngitis. TEAEs leading to iberdomide discontinuation in one or more patients were neutropenia (n = 7), rash (n = 7), increased hepatic enzymes (n = 4), and deep vein thrombosis (n = 3).

IN PRACTICE:

“Data from this phase 2 trial of iberdomide in patients with SLE suggest that a greater proportion of patients with subacute or chronic CLE who received the higher dose of 0.45 mg iberdomide achieved CLASI-50 vs placebo. For the overall population, CLASI-50 response was not significantly different between treatment groups at week 24, partly due to a high placebo response that may have been driven by patients with acute CLE,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Victoria P. Werth, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania and the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, both in Philadelphia, and was published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The study included small patient subgroups for different CLE subtypes, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. CLE subtype was determined by the investigator without additional photographic adjudication. Additionally, the use of background lupus medications could have influenced the placebo group’s response, limiting the ability to observe the treatment effect of iberdomide monotherapy.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Six authors reported being employed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, and several others reported consultancy and research support from various sources including Bristol-Myers Squibb.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) experienced improved symptoms with iberdomide, a cereblon modulator, added to standard lupus medications, particularly in subacute and chronic cases.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a randomized phase 2 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of iberdomide in 288 patients with CLE (mean age, 45 years; 97% women). Iberdomide is a cereblon modulator, which results in degradation of two transcription factors of immune cell development and homeostasis — Ikaros and Aiolos — that have been implicated in the genetic predisposition of systemic lupus.
• CLE Disease Area and Severity Index Activity (CLASI-A) endpoints included mean percent change from baseline and ≥ 50% reduction from baseline (CLASI-50), which were evaluated in all patients with baseline CLASI-A scores ≥ 8 and by CLE subtypes (acute, subacute, and chronic).
• At baseline, 56% of patients had acute CLE, 29% had chronic CLE, and 16% had subacute CLE; 28% of patients had a baseline CLASI-A score ≥ 8.
• Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral iberdomide (0.45 mg, 0.30 mg, 0.15 mg, or placebo daily) for 24 weeks while continuing standard lupus medications. At week 24, patients on placebo were rerandomized to iberdomide 0.45 mg or 0.30 mg once a day, while those on iberdomide continued their assigned dose through week 52.

TAKEAWAY:

• Among patients with baseline CLASI-A ≥ 8, the mean change in CLASI-A score from baseline at week 24 was −66.7% for those on iberdomide 0.45 mg vs −54.2% for placebo (P = .295).
• At week 24, patients with subacute CLE showed a significantly greater mean percent change from baseline in CLASI-A with iberdomide 0.45 mg vs placebo (−90.5% vs −51.2%; P = .007), while no significant differences were observed with the 0.45-mg dose vs placebo in patients with chronic or acute CLE.
• Overall, CLASI-50 responses were not significantly different among those on 0.45 mg vs placebo (55.6% vs 44.6%). The proportions of patients achieving CLASI-50 at week 24 were significantly greater for iberdomide 0.45 mg vs placebo for those with subacute CLE (91.7% vs 52.9%; P = .035) and chronic CLE (62.1% vs 27.8%; P = .029), but not for those with baseline CLASI-A ≥ 8 (66.7% vs 50%).
• More than 80% of patients had treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), which were mostly mild to moderate. Over 2 years, the most common were urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infections, neutropenia, and nasopharyngitis. TEAEs leading to iberdomide discontinuation in one or more patients were neutropenia (n = 7), rash (n = 7), increased hepatic enzymes (n = 4), and deep vein thrombosis (n = 3).

IN PRACTICE:

“Data from this phase 2 trial of iberdomide in patients with SLE suggest that a greater proportion of patients with subacute or chronic CLE who received the higher dose of 0.45 mg iberdomide achieved CLASI-50 vs placebo. For the overall population, CLASI-50 response was not significantly different between treatment groups at week 24, partly due to a high placebo response that may have been driven by patients with acute CLE,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Victoria P. Werth, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania and the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, both in Philadelphia, and was published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The study included small patient subgroups for different CLE subtypes, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. CLE subtype was determined by the investigator without additional photographic adjudication. Additionally, the use of background lupus medications could have influenced the placebo group’s response, limiting the ability to observe the treatment effect of iberdomide monotherapy.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Six authors reported being employed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, and several others reported consultancy and research support from various sources including Bristol-Myers Squibb.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) experienced improved symptoms with iberdomide, a cereblon modulator, added to standard lupus medications, particularly in subacute and chronic cases.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a randomized phase 2 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of iberdomide in 288 patients with CLE (mean age, 45 years; 97% women). Iberdomide is a cereblon modulator, which results in degradation of two transcription factors of immune cell development and homeostasis — Ikaros and Aiolos — that have been implicated in the genetic predisposition of systemic lupus.
• CLE Disease Area and Severity Index Activity (CLASI-A) endpoints included mean percent change from baseline and ≥ 50% reduction from baseline (CLASI-50), which were evaluated in all patients with baseline CLASI-A scores ≥ 8 and by CLE subtypes (acute, subacute, and chronic).
• At baseline, 56% of patients had acute CLE, 29% had chronic CLE, and 16% had subacute CLE; 28% of patients had a baseline CLASI-A score ≥ 8.
• Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral iberdomide (0.45 mg, 0.30 mg, 0.15 mg, or placebo daily) for 24 weeks while continuing standard lupus medications. At week 24, patients on placebo were rerandomized to iberdomide 0.45 mg or 0.30 mg once a day, while those on iberdomide continued their assigned dose through week 52.

TAKEAWAY:

• Among patients with baseline CLASI-A ≥ 8, the mean change in CLASI-A score from baseline at week 24 was −66.7% for those on iberdomide 0.45 mg vs −54.2% for placebo (P = .295).
• At week 24, patients with subacute CLE showed a significantly greater mean percent change from baseline in CLASI-A with iberdomide 0.45 mg vs placebo (−90.5% vs −51.2%; P = .007), while no significant differences were observed with the 0.45-mg dose vs placebo in patients with chronic or acute CLE.
• Overall, CLASI-50 responses were not significantly different among those on 0.45 mg vs placebo (55.6% vs 44.6%). The proportions of patients achieving CLASI-50 at week 24 were significantly greater for iberdomide 0.45 mg vs placebo for those with subacute CLE (91.7% vs 52.9%; P = .035) and chronic CLE (62.1% vs 27.8%; P = .029), but not for those with baseline CLASI-A ≥ 8 (66.7% vs 50%).
• More than 80% of patients had treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), which were mostly mild to moderate. Over 2 years, the most common were urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infections, neutropenia, and nasopharyngitis. TEAEs leading to iberdomide discontinuation in one or more patients were neutropenia (n = 7), rash (n = 7), increased hepatic enzymes (n = 4), and deep vein thrombosis (n = 3).

IN PRACTICE:

“Data from this phase 2 trial of iberdomide in patients with SLE suggest that a greater proportion of patients with subacute or chronic CLE who received the higher dose of 0.45 mg iberdomide achieved CLASI-50 vs placebo. For the overall population, CLASI-50 response was not significantly different between treatment groups at week 24, partly due to a high placebo response that may have been driven by patients with acute CLE,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Victoria P. Werth, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania and the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, both in Philadelphia, and was published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The study included small patient subgroups for different CLE subtypes, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. CLE subtype was determined by the investigator without additional photographic adjudication. Additionally, the use of background lupus medications could have influenced the placebo group’s response, limiting the ability to observe the treatment effect of iberdomide monotherapy.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Six authors reported being employed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, and several others reported consultancy and research support from various sources including Bristol-Myers Squibb.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who exhibit abnormal small bowel transit are more likely to be men, experience more severe cardiac involvement, have a higher mortality risk, and show fewer sicca symptoms.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers enrolled 130 patients with SSc having gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (mean age at symptom onset, 56.8 years; 90% women; 81% White) seen at the Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center, Baltimore, from October 2014 to May 2022.
• Clinical data and serum samples were longitudinally collected from all actively followed patients at the time of enrollment and every 6 months thereafter (median disease duration, 8.4 years).
• Participants underwent whole gut transit scintigraphy for the assessment of small bowel motility.
• A cross-sectional analysis compared the clinical features of patients with (n = 22; mean age at symptom onset, 61.4 years) and without (n = 108; mean age at symptom onset, 55.8 years) abnormal small bowel transit.

TAKEAWAY:

• Men with SSc (odds ratio [OR], 3.70; P = .038) and those with severe cardiac involvement (OR, 3.98; P = .035) were more likely to have abnormal small bowel transit.
• Sicca symptoms were negatively associated with abnormal small bowel transit in patients with SSc (adjusted OR, 0.28; P = .043).
• Patients with abnormal small bowel transit reported significantly worse  (P = .028) and social functioning (P = .015) than those having a normal transit.
• A multivariate analysis showed that patients with abnormal small bowel transit had higher mortality than those with a normal transit (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.03; P = .005).

IN PRACTICE:

“Our findings improve our understanding of risk factors associated with abnormal small bowel transit in SSc patients and shed light on the lived experience of patients with this GI [gastrointestinal] complication,” the authors wrote. “Overall, these findings are important for patient risk stratification and monitoring and will help to identify a more homogeneous group of patients for future clinical and translational studies,” they added.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Jenice X. Cheah, MD, University of California, Los Angeles. It was published online on October 7, 2024, in Rheumatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The study may be subject to referral bias as it was conducted at a tertiary referral center, potentially including patients with a more severe disease status. Furthermore, this study was retrospective in nature, and whole gut transit studies were not conducted in all the patients seen at the referral center. Additionally, the cross-sectional design limited the ability to establish causality between the clinical features and abnormal small bowel transit.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
 

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who exhibit abnormal small bowel transit are more likely to be men, experience more severe cardiac involvement, have a higher mortality risk, and show fewer sicca symptoms.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers enrolled 130 patients with SSc having gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (mean age at symptom onset, 56.8 years; 90% women; 81% White) seen at the Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center, Baltimore, from October 2014 to May 2022.
• Clinical data and serum samples were longitudinally collected from all actively followed patients at the time of enrollment and every 6 months thereafter (median disease duration, 8.4 years).
• Participants underwent whole gut transit scintigraphy for the assessment of small bowel motility.
• A cross-sectional analysis compared the clinical features of patients with (n = 22; mean age at symptom onset, 61.4 years) and without (n = 108; mean age at symptom onset, 55.8 years) abnormal small bowel transit.

TAKEAWAY:

• Men with SSc (odds ratio [OR], 3.70; P = .038) and those with severe cardiac involvement (OR, 3.98; P = .035) were more likely to have abnormal small bowel transit.
• Sicca symptoms were negatively associated with abnormal small bowel transit in patients with SSc (adjusted OR, 0.28; P = .043).
• Patients with abnormal small bowel transit reported significantly worse  (P = .028) and social functioning (P = .015) than those having a normal transit.
• A multivariate analysis showed that patients with abnormal small bowel transit had higher mortality than those with a normal transit (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.03; P = .005).

IN PRACTICE:

“Our findings improve our understanding of risk factors associated with abnormal small bowel transit in SSc patients and shed light on the lived experience of patients with this GI [gastrointestinal] complication,” the authors wrote. “Overall, these findings are important for patient risk stratification and monitoring and will help to identify a more homogeneous group of patients for future clinical and translational studies,” they added.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Jenice X. Cheah, MD, University of California, Los Angeles. It was published online on October 7, 2024, in Rheumatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The study may be subject to referral bias as it was conducted at a tertiary referral center, potentially including patients with a more severe disease status. Furthermore, this study was retrospective in nature, and whole gut transit studies were not conducted in all the patients seen at the referral center. Additionally, the cross-sectional design limited the ability to establish causality between the clinical features and abnormal small bowel transit.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
 

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who exhibit abnormal small bowel transit are more likely to be men, experience more severe cardiac involvement, have a higher mortality risk, and show fewer sicca symptoms.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers enrolled 130 patients with SSc having gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (mean age at symptom onset, 56.8 years; 90% women; 81% White) seen at the Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center, Baltimore, from October 2014 to May 2022.
• Clinical data and serum samples were longitudinally collected from all actively followed patients at the time of enrollment and every 6 months thereafter (median disease duration, 8.4 years).
• Participants underwent whole gut transit scintigraphy for the assessment of small bowel motility.
• A cross-sectional analysis compared the clinical features of patients with (n = 22; mean age at symptom onset, 61.4 years) and without (n = 108; mean age at symptom onset, 55.8 years) abnormal small bowel transit.

TAKEAWAY:

• Men with SSc (odds ratio [OR], 3.70; P = .038) and those with severe cardiac involvement (OR, 3.98; P = .035) were more likely to have abnormal small bowel transit.
• Sicca symptoms were negatively associated with abnormal small bowel transit in patients with SSc (adjusted OR, 0.28; P = .043).
• Patients with abnormal small bowel transit reported significantly worse  (P = .028) and social functioning (P = .015) than those having a normal transit.
• A multivariate analysis showed that patients with abnormal small bowel transit had higher mortality than those with a normal transit (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.03; P = .005).

IN PRACTICE:

“Our findings improve our understanding of risk factors associated with abnormal small bowel transit in SSc patients and shed light on the lived experience of patients with this GI [gastrointestinal] complication,” the authors wrote. “Overall, these findings are important for patient risk stratification and monitoring and will help to identify a more homogeneous group of patients for future clinical and translational studies,” they added.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Jenice X. Cheah, MD, University of California, Los Angeles. It was published online on October 7, 2024, in Rheumatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The study may be subject to referral bias as it was conducted at a tertiary referral center, potentially including patients with a more severe disease status. Furthermore, this study was retrospective in nature, and whole gut transit studies were not conducted in all the patients seen at the referral center. Additionally, the cross-sectional design limited the ability to establish causality between the clinical features and abnormal small bowel transit.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
 

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

Biologics have revolutionized dermatologic treatment, offering substantial relief from chronic and ­debilitating skin conditions such as psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic urticaria, and immunobullous diseases (eg, pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid). By drastically decreasing symptom burden, biologics have the potential to transform patients’ lives by improving their overall quality of life (QOL). However, the use of biologics during ­pregnancy raises critical considerations, especially ­regarding safety.

Biologics for Cutaneous Conditions

Biologics—tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α inhibitors; IL-17, IL-23, IL-12, and IL-36 inhibitors; and agents such as omalizumab and dupilumab—have shown remarkable efficacy in controlling severe or recalcitrant dermatologic conditions and typically are more effective than traditional systemic therapies.¹ For instance, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and real-world data have shown that patients with psoriasis can achieve considerable skin clearance with biologics, greatly enhancing QOL.² Adalimumab and secukinumab, which have been approved for use in moderate to severe cases of hidradenitis suppurativa, reduce the frequency of painful nodules and abscesses, thereby decreasing pain and improving QOL. Dupilumab, an IL-4/13 receptor antagonist, has revolutionized the treatment of AD by drastically reducing itch and skin lesions and improving QOL.³ For chronic urticaria, the anti-IgE antibody omalizumab has effectively reduced the incidence of hives and itching, providing pronounced symptom relief when traditional antihistamines fail.⁴ Use of rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has led to remission in severe cases of pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid.⁵

Impact of Untreated Cutaneous Conditions in Pregnancy

When treating patients who are pregnant, dermatologists must consider the health of both the expectant mother and the developing fetus. This dual focus complicates decision-making, particularly with the use of biologics. Untreated cutaneous conditions can profoundly impact a pregnant patient’s health and QOL as well as lead to pregnancy complications affecting the fetus, such as preterm birth or low birth weight. In some studies, moderate to severe psoriasis has been associated with increased risk for complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.⁶ Although specific data on hidradenitis suppurativa are lacking, the highly inflammatory nature of the condition suggests similar adverse effects on pregnancy.⁷ Atopic dermatitis can be exacerbated during pregnancy due to a shift in the immune system to become more allergic dominant.⁸ Generalized pustular psoriasis manifests with widespread pustules, fever, and systemic inflammation, posing serious risks to both the mother and the fetus if left untreated⁹; in such a life-threatening scenario, the use of potent treatments such as spesolimab, an IL-36 receptor antagonist, may be warranted. Therefore, managing these conditions effectively is crucial not only for the mother’s health but also for fetal well-being.

Which Biologics Can Dermatologists Safely Prescribe?

Despite the benefits, many dermatologists are hesitant to prescribe biologics to pregnant patients due to the lack of understanding and definitive safety data.^10,11 Although there are no RCTs that involve pregnant patients, current evidence suggests that several biologics are not teratogenic and do not cause fetal malformations. Extensive postexposure data support the safety of TNF-α inhibitors during pregnancy.¹² Research has shown that children exposed to these agents in utero have normal development, infection rates, and vaccination outcomes comparable to nonexposed children. For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant increase in the risk for major congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions, or preterm births among patients exposed to anti–TNF-α agents during pregnancy.² The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Autoimmune Diseases in Pregnancy Project has provided valuable real-world data indicating that the use of TNF-α inhibitors in pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester, does not substantially elevate the risk for adverse outcomes.¹³ These findings have been corroborated by several other registry studies and RCTs, providing a robust safety profile for these agents during pregnancy.¹⁴

Similarly, postexposure data on IL-17 and IL-12/23 inhibitors indicate a favorable safety profile, though the sample sizes are smaller than those for anti–TNF-α agents.^12,14 Studies of drugs such as secukinumab (IL-17 inhibitor), guselkumab (IL-23 inhibitor), or ustekinumab (IL-12/23 inhibitor) have shown no association with teratogenic effects or increased risk for miscarriage.¹⁴ However, agents such as spesolimab (IL-36 inhibitor) are relatively new, and ongoing studies are expected to provide more comprehensive safety data.¹⁵ Similarly, omalizumab and dupilumab have not been associated with increased risk for fetal malformations or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Omalizumab, indicated for chronic urticaria, has a good safety profile in pregnancy, with no significant increase in adverse outcomes reported in studies and registries.¹⁶ Dupilumab, used for AD, has demonstrated safety in pregnancy, with ongoing studies continuing to monitor outcomes.¹⁷

Conversely, rituximab (an anti-CD20 antibody for autoimmune bullous diseases) has shown evidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal harm.¹⁸ Its use generally is discouraged unless deemed absolutely necessary, and no safer alternatives are available. Rituximab can cross the placenta, especially in the second and third trimesters, and has been associated with B-cell depletion in the fetus, leading to potential immunosuppression and increased risk for infections.⁵

Although the data on the safety of biologics in pregnancy are largely reassuring, it is essential to recognize that potential risks have not been ruled out entirely. There are extensive safety data for anti–TNF-α inhibitors, which provides a level of confidence; although newer agents such as IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors have shown promising early results, further research is required to solidify their safety profiles during pregnancy.

Dermatologists must balance the risks and benefits of using biologics in pregnant patients. This decision-­making process involves careful consideration of the severity of the mother’s condition, the potential risks to the fetus, and the availability of alternative treatments. For many severe dermatologic conditions, the benefits of biologics in controlling disease activity and improving QOL may outweigh the potential risks, especially when other treatments have failed or are not suitable.

Final Thoughts

The increasing use of biologics in dermatology has undoubtedly improved the management of severe skin conditions, substantially enhancing patients’ QOL. As more data become available and clinical guidelines evolve, health care providers will be better equipped to make informed decisions about the use of biologics, particularly in pregnant patients. Collaborative efforts between dermatologists, obstetricians, and researchers will help refine treatment guidelines and ensure that pregnant patients with severe dermatologic conditions receive the best possible care.

For now, although the current evidence supports the safety of many biologics during pregnancy,^10,11 individualized care and informed decision-making remain paramount. Careful management and adherence to current guidelines make it possible to navigate the complexities of treating severe dermatologic conditions in pregnant patients, ensuring the best outcomes for both mother and child.

Biologics have revolutionized dermatologic treatment, offering substantial relief from chronic and ­debilitating skin conditions such as psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic urticaria, and immunobullous diseases (eg, pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid). By drastically decreasing symptom burden, biologics have the potential to transform patients’ lives by improving their overall quality of life (QOL). However, the use of biologics during ­pregnancy raises critical considerations, especially ­regarding safety.

Biologics for Cutaneous Conditions

Biologics—tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α inhibitors; IL-17, IL-23, IL-12, and IL-36 inhibitors; and agents such as omalizumab and dupilumab—have shown remarkable efficacy in controlling severe or recalcitrant dermatologic conditions and typically are more effective than traditional systemic therapies.¹ For instance, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and real-world data have shown that patients with psoriasis can achieve considerable skin clearance with biologics, greatly enhancing QOL.² Adalimumab and secukinumab, which have been approved for use in moderate to severe cases of hidradenitis suppurativa, reduce the frequency of painful nodules and abscesses, thereby decreasing pain and improving QOL. Dupilumab, an IL-4/13 receptor antagonist, has revolutionized the treatment of AD by drastically reducing itch and skin lesions and improving QOL.³ For chronic urticaria, the anti-IgE antibody omalizumab has effectively reduced the incidence of hives and itching, providing pronounced symptom relief when traditional antihistamines fail.⁴ Use of rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has led to remission in severe cases of pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid.⁵

Impact of Untreated Cutaneous Conditions in Pregnancy

When treating patients who are pregnant, dermatologists must consider the health of both the expectant mother and the developing fetus. This dual focus complicates decision-making, particularly with the use of biologics. Untreated cutaneous conditions can profoundly impact a pregnant patient’s health and QOL as well as lead to pregnancy complications affecting the fetus, such as preterm birth or low birth weight. In some studies, moderate to severe psoriasis has been associated with increased risk for complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.⁶ Although specific data on hidradenitis suppurativa are lacking, the highly inflammatory nature of the condition suggests similar adverse effects on pregnancy.⁷ Atopic dermatitis can be exacerbated during pregnancy due to a shift in the immune system to become more allergic dominant.⁸ Generalized pustular psoriasis manifests with widespread pustules, fever, and systemic inflammation, posing serious risks to both the mother and the fetus if left untreated⁹; in such a life-threatening scenario, the use of potent treatments such as spesolimab, an IL-36 receptor antagonist, may be warranted. Therefore, managing these conditions effectively is crucial not only for the mother’s health but also for fetal well-being.

Which Biologics Can Dermatologists Safely Prescribe?

Despite the benefits, many dermatologists are hesitant to prescribe biologics to pregnant patients due to the lack of understanding and definitive safety data.^10,11 Although there are no RCTs that involve pregnant patients, current evidence suggests that several biologics are not teratogenic and do not cause fetal malformations. Extensive postexposure data support the safety of TNF-α inhibitors during pregnancy.¹² Research has shown that children exposed to these agents in utero have normal development, infection rates, and vaccination outcomes comparable to nonexposed children. For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant increase in the risk for major congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions, or preterm births among patients exposed to anti–TNF-α agents during pregnancy.² The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Autoimmune Diseases in Pregnancy Project has provided valuable real-world data indicating that the use of TNF-α inhibitors in pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester, does not substantially elevate the risk for adverse outcomes.¹³ These findings have been corroborated by several other registry studies and RCTs, providing a robust safety profile for these agents during pregnancy.¹⁴

Similarly, postexposure data on IL-17 and IL-12/23 inhibitors indicate a favorable safety profile, though the sample sizes are smaller than those for anti–TNF-α agents.^12,14 Studies of drugs such as secukinumab (IL-17 inhibitor), guselkumab (IL-23 inhibitor), or ustekinumab (IL-12/23 inhibitor) have shown no association with teratogenic effects or increased risk for miscarriage.¹⁴ However, agents such as spesolimab (IL-36 inhibitor) are relatively new, and ongoing studies are expected to provide more comprehensive safety data.¹⁵ Similarly, omalizumab and dupilumab have not been associated with increased risk for fetal malformations or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Omalizumab, indicated for chronic urticaria, has a good safety profile in pregnancy, with no significant increase in adverse outcomes reported in studies and registries.¹⁶ Dupilumab, used for AD, has demonstrated safety in pregnancy, with ongoing studies continuing to monitor outcomes.¹⁷

Conversely, rituximab (an anti-CD20 antibody for autoimmune bullous diseases) has shown evidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal harm.¹⁸ Its use generally is discouraged unless deemed absolutely necessary, and no safer alternatives are available. Rituximab can cross the placenta, especially in the second and third trimesters, and has been associated with B-cell depletion in the fetus, leading to potential immunosuppression and increased risk for infections.⁵

Although the data on the safety of biologics in pregnancy are largely reassuring, it is essential to recognize that potential risks have not been ruled out entirely. There are extensive safety data for anti–TNF-α inhibitors, which provides a level of confidence; although newer agents such as IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors have shown promising early results, further research is required to solidify their safety profiles during pregnancy.

Dermatologists must balance the risks and benefits of using biologics in pregnant patients. This decision-­making process involves careful consideration of the severity of the mother’s condition, the potential risks to the fetus, and the availability of alternative treatments. For many severe dermatologic conditions, the benefits of biologics in controlling disease activity and improving QOL may outweigh the potential risks, especially when other treatments have failed or are not suitable.

Final Thoughts

The increasing use of biologics in dermatology has undoubtedly improved the management of severe skin conditions, substantially enhancing patients’ QOL. As more data become available and clinical guidelines evolve, health care providers will be better equipped to make informed decisions about the use of biologics, particularly in pregnant patients. Collaborative efforts between dermatologists, obstetricians, and researchers will help refine treatment guidelines and ensure that pregnant patients with severe dermatologic conditions receive the best possible care.

For now, although the current evidence supports the safety of many biologics during pregnancy,^10,11 individualized care and informed decision-making remain paramount. Careful management and adherence to current guidelines make it possible to navigate the complexities of treating severe dermatologic conditions in pregnant patients, ensuring the best outcomes for both mother and child.

Biologics have revolutionized dermatologic treatment, offering substantial relief from chronic and ­debilitating skin conditions such as psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, atopic dermatitis (AD), chronic urticaria, and immunobullous diseases (eg, pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid). By drastically decreasing symptom burden, biologics have the potential to transform patients’ lives by improving their overall quality of life (QOL). However, the use of biologics during ­pregnancy raises critical considerations, especially ­regarding safety.

Biologics for Cutaneous Conditions

Biologics—tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α inhibitors; IL-17, IL-23, IL-12, and IL-36 inhibitors; and agents such as omalizumab and dupilumab—have shown remarkable efficacy in controlling severe or recalcitrant dermatologic conditions and typically are more effective than traditional systemic therapies.¹ For instance, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and real-world data have shown that patients with psoriasis can achieve considerable skin clearance with biologics, greatly enhancing QOL.² Adalimumab and secukinumab, which have been approved for use in moderate to severe cases of hidradenitis suppurativa, reduce the frequency of painful nodules and abscesses, thereby decreasing pain and improving QOL. Dupilumab, an IL-4/13 receptor antagonist, has revolutionized the treatment of AD by drastically reducing itch and skin lesions and improving QOL.³ For chronic urticaria, the anti-IgE antibody omalizumab has effectively reduced the incidence of hives and itching, providing pronounced symptom relief when traditional antihistamines fail.⁴ Use of rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has led to remission in severe cases of pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid.⁵

Impact of Untreated Cutaneous Conditions in Pregnancy

When treating patients who are pregnant, dermatologists must consider the health of both the expectant mother and the developing fetus. This dual focus complicates decision-making, particularly with the use of biologics. Untreated cutaneous conditions can profoundly impact a pregnant patient’s health and QOL as well as lead to pregnancy complications affecting the fetus, such as preterm birth or low birth weight. In some studies, moderate to severe psoriasis has been associated with increased risk for complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.⁶ Although specific data on hidradenitis suppurativa are lacking, the highly inflammatory nature of the condition suggests similar adverse effects on pregnancy.⁷ Atopic dermatitis can be exacerbated during pregnancy due to a shift in the immune system to become more allergic dominant.⁸ Generalized pustular psoriasis manifests with widespread pustules, fever, and systemic inflammation, posing serious risks to both the mother and the fetus if left untreated⁹; in such a life-threatening scenario, the use of potent treatments such as spesolimab, an IL-36 receptor antagonist, may be warranted. Therefore, managing these conditions effectively is crucial not only for the mother’s health but also for fetal well-being.

Which Biologics Can Dermatologists Safely Prescribe?

Despite the benefits, many dermatologists are hesitant to prescribe biologics to pregnant patients due to the lack of understanding and definitive safety data.^10,11 Although there are no RCTs that involve pregnant patients, current evidence suggests that several biologics are not teratogenic and do not cause fetal malformations. Extensive postexposure data support the safety of TNF-α inhibitors during pregnancy.¹² Research has shown that children exposed to these agents in utero have normal development, infection rates, and vaccination outcomes comparable to nonexposed children. For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant increase in the risk for major congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions, or preterm births among patients exposed to anti–TNF-α agents during pregnancy.² The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Autoimmune Diseases in Pregnancy Project has provided valuable real-world data indicating that the use of TNF-α inhibitors in pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester, does not substantially elevate the risk for adverse outcomes.¹³ These findings have been corroborated by several other registry studies and RCTs, providing a robust safety profile for these agents during pregnancy.¹⁴

Similarly, postexposure data on IL-17 and IL-12/23 inhibitors indicate a favorable safety profile, though the sample sizes are smaller than those for anti–TNF-α agents.^12,14 Studies of drugs such as secukinumab (IL-17 inhibitor), guselkumab (IL-23 inhibitor), or ustekinumab (IL-12/23 inhibitor) have shown no association with teratogenic effects or increased risk for miscarriage.¹⁴ However, agents such as spesolimab (IL-36 inhibitor) are relatively new, and ongoing studies are expected to provide more comprehensive safety data.¹⁵ Similarly, omalizumab and dupilumab have not been associated with increased risk for fetal malformations or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Omalizumab, indicated for chronic urticaria, has a good safety profile in pregnancy, with no significant increase in adverse outcomes reported in studies and registries.¹⁶ Dupilumab, used for AD, has demonstrated safety in pregnancy, with ongoing studies continuing to monitor outcomes.¹⁷

Conversely, rituximab (an anti-CD20 antibody for autoimmune bullous diseases) has shown evidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal harm.¹⁸ Its use generally is discouraged unless deemed absolutely necessary, and no safer alternatives are available. Rituximab can cross the placenta, especially in the second and third trimesters, and has been associated with B-cell depletion in the fetus, leading to potential immunosuppression and increased risk for infections.⁵

Although the data on the safety of biologics in pregnancy are largely reassuring, it is essential to recognize that potential risks have not been ruled out entirely. There are extensive safety data for anti–TNF-α inhibitors, which provides a level of confidence; although newer agents such as IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors have shown promising early results, further research is required to solidify their safety profiles during pregnancy.

Dermatologists must balance the risks and benefits of using biologics in pregnant patients. This decision-­making process involves careful consideration of the severity of the mother’s condition, the potential risks to the fetus, and the availability of alternative treatments. For many severe dermatologic conditions, the benefits of biologics in controlling disease activity and improving QOL may outweigh the potential risks, especially when other treatments have failed or are not suitable.

Final Thoughts

The increasing use of biologics in dermatology has undoubtedly improved the management of severe skin conditions, substantially enhancing patients’ QOL. As more data become available and clinical guidelines evolve, health care providers will be better equipped to make informed decisions about the use of biologics, particularly in pregnant patients. Collaborative efforts between dermatologists, obstetricians, and researchers will help refine treatment guidelines and ensure that pregnant patients with severe dermatologic conditions receive the best possible care.

For now, although the current evidence supports the safety of many biologics during pregnancy,^10,11 individualized care and informed decision-making remain paramount. Careful management and adherence to current guidelines make it possible to navigate the complexities of treating severe dermatologic conditions in pregnant patients, ensuring the best outcomes for both mother and child.

Newly issued guidelines for cancer screening in patients with dermatomyositis had 100% sensitivity in a single institution’s cohort, though most of the cancers found would have been detected with standard cancer screenings recommended for the general population, according to a research letter published in JAMA Dermatology.

“These early results emphasize the continued need to refine risk assessment and cancer screening for patients with dermatomyositis while balancing resource use and outcomes,” concluded Caroline J. Stone and her colleagues at the Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

dermatology.cdlib.org/CC BY-SA 3.0/wikimedia

Patients with dermatomyositis have approximately a 4.7 times greater risk for cancer than those without it, according to a 2016 meta-analysis. Despite the well-established link between cancer and dermatomyositis, cancer in people with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies is commonly diagnosed at a later stage and is the leading cause of death in people with these conditions.
 

Guidelines First Presented in 2022 and Published in 2023

A wide variability in screening practices eventually led the International Myositis Assessment & Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) to present the first evidence-based and consensus-based guidelines for cancer screening of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, including those with dermatomyositis, at the 2022 annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology and publish them in 2023 in Nature Reviews Rheumatology. The guidelines advise low-risk patients to undergo basic cancer screening with routine blood and urine studies, liver function tests, plain chest radiography, and age- and sex-appropriate cancer screening.

Intermediate- and high-risk patients are recommended to undergo enhanced screening that can include mammography, Pap tests, endoscopy/colonoscopy, pelvic and transvaginal ultrasonography, prostate-specific antigen or cancer antigen 125 blood tests, fecal occult blood tests, and CT of the neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.

But because the guidelines are new, little evidence exists regarding their validation in real-world cohorts. Researchers, therefore, assessed the IMACS guidelines in 370 patients, aged 18-80 years, who visited the University of Pennsylvania rheumatology-dermatology specialty clinic between July 2008 and January 2024. All participants had dermatomyositis and at least 3 years of follow-up and were an average 48 years old. The vast majority were women (87%) and White participants (89%).

Most (68.6%) had myositis-specific autoantibody test results, one of the factors included in the guidelines for determining whether the patient should be classified as low, intermediate, or high risk. Other factors for risk stratification included myositis subtype, age at disease onset, and clinical features. About half (49.2%) had classic dermatomyositis, 42.4% had amyopathic dermatomyositis, 3.8% had juvenile dermatomyositis, 3.2% had hypomyopathic dermatomyositis, 0.8% had antisynthetase syndrome, and 0.5% had immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy.

Just over half the patients (54%) were classified as high risk, while 37.3% were classified as intermediate risk and 8.9% as low risk using the guidelines. Among the 18 patients (4.9%) with paraneoplastic dermatomyositis, 15 were classified as high risk and 3 as intermediate risk.

Of the patients diagnosed with cancer, 55% of cases were diagnosed about a year before their dermatomyositis diagnosis. In three patients, symptoms “suggestive of cancer at the time of dermatomyositis diagnosis, including lymphadenopathy and unexplained weight loss,” led to diagnostic testing that found an underlying cancer.

In the eight patients diagnosed with cancer after their dermatomyositis diagnosis, 75% of the cancers were identified during the first year of follow-up and 25% in the second year. Five were identified based on basic cancer screening and three on enhanced screening.

A total of 11 patients (3%) developed intravenous contrast allergies, and no other adverse events were reported to be associated with cancer screening, but the study was not designed to capture other types of adverse screening effects, such as cost, quality of life, or risk from radiation exposure.

The most common neoplasm identified was breast cancer, found in nine (50%) of the patients using mammography. Two patients had lung cancer identified with chest radiography and two had ovarian cancer identified with abdominal radiography and CT. The remaining five patients included one each with bladder cancer, papillary thyroid cancer, renal cell carcinoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and adenocarcinoma with unknown primary.

The sensitivity of the guidelines in detecting cancer related to dermatomyositis was 100%, though the authors noted that the “IMACS risk-stratification scheme may overestimate cancer risk and encourage enhanced screening protocols of unclear benefit.” Most of the cancers found after dermatomyositis diagnosis were detected with routine age- and sex-related screening that already falls under basic cancer screening recommendations for the general population. Nonetheless, 90% of the participants fell into the intermediate- and high-risk groups, warranting a more comprehensive and costly enhanced screening protocol.
 

Will the Guidelines Lead to Overscreening? 

The 4.9% cancer prevalence is considerably lower than the typical 15%-25% prevalence among patients with dermatomyositis, but the findings, regardless, suggest the guidelines will lead to overscreening, wrote Andrea D. Maderal, MD, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida, and Alisa Femia, MD, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, in an accompanying editorial. Given that the median age in patients with cancer in the study was 58 years — 18 years older than the age cutoff for high-risk criteria — one way to refine the guidelines may be to increase the age for the high-risk category, they suggested.

“While these guidelines led to many ultimately unnecessary screening tests based on currently recommended designations of intermediate-risk and high-risk patients, these guidelines reflect a more conservative approach to screening than was previously performed,” Dr. Maderal and Dr. Femia wrote.

Jeff Gehlhausen, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, said he is not concerned about overscreening in patients, however, and is “very enthusiastic” about the findings.

“Patients are very anxious for good reason,” given the typical cancer prevalence of 25% in this population, he said in an interview. “I think therein lies the challenge — with that risk, what is ‘enough’ screening?” Yet this “incredibly impressive” study “provides real insights into the applicability of the IMACS screenings to our dermatomyositis management,” including relevance to his own patients. “Their findings are instructive for how to better evaluate these patients in a more mindful fashion,” he said, and they are particularly welcome, given how widely variable practice has historically been before the guidelines were issued.

“This question has been an outstanding one for decades, and nearly every doctor has a different answer,” Dr. Gehlhausen said. “The introduction of the guidelines alone are now much more actionable with this study, and that’s why it’s such an important one for our community.”

Benedict Wu, DO, PhD, director of Inpatient Dermatology and an assistant professor at Montefiore Einstein and a member of the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York City, similarly regarded the findings as reassuring, though he was surprised at the low prevalence of cancer in the patients.

“The most reassuring finding was that the detection of most malignancies was possible by using routine age- and sex-related screening combined with basic cancer screening,” Wu said in an interview. “Basic cancer screening can reduce costs while keeping patients safe.”

He also found it reassuring that all the paraneoplastic dermatomyositis was in intermediate- or high-risk patients, and while he does not see the IMACS guidelines as overestimating cancer risk, he does think “the risk stratification and recommended screening tests could be revised to be less ‘aggressive.’ ” 

The overall low rate of cancer in the group “calls into question the need for stringent and annual cancer screening,” he said. “In this large cohort of patients, the fact that malignancy was detected within 2 years of dermatomyositis diagnosis will help guide us with long-term screening recommendations.”

Despite the study’s small size and single-center design, the demographics of the patients nearly represents exactly what is found in the United States more broadly, Wu noted. He also drew attention to how many patients lacked the myositis antibody profile performed, and he agreed with the authors that more extensive and prospective studies need to be conducted. He also emphasized the need to keep in mind that “the primary goal of dermatomyositis management should focus on controlling/reducing the disease burden.”

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The authors had no disclosures. Dr. Maderal reported personal fees from argenx. No disclosures were noted for Dr. Gehlhausen and Dr. Wu.

A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

Newly issued guidelines for cancer screening in patients with dermatomyositis had 100% sensitivity in a single institution’s cohort, though most of the cancers found would have been detected with standard cancer screenings recommended for the general population, according to a research letter published in JAMA Dermatology.

“These early results emphasize the continued need to refine risk assessment and cancer screening for patients with dermatomyositis while balancing resource use and outcomes,” concluded Caroline J. Stone and her colleagues at the Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

dermatology.cdlib.org/CC BY-SA 3.0/wikimedia

Patients with dermatomyositis have approximately a 4.7 times greater risk for cancer than those without it, according to a 2016 meta-analysis. Despite the well-established link between cancer and dermatomyositis, cancer in people with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies is commonly diagnosed at a later stage and is the leading cause of death in people with these conditions.
 

Guidelines First Presented in 2022 and Published in 2023

A wide variability in screening practices eventually led the International Myositis Assessment & Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) to present the first evidence-based and consensus-based guidelines for cancer screening of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, including those with dermatomyositis, at the 2022 annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology and publish them in 2023 in Nature Reviews Rheumatology. The guidelines advise low-risk patients to undergo basic cancer screening with routine blood and urine studies, liver function tests, plain chest radiography, and age- and sex-appropriate cancer screening.

Intermediate- and high-risk patients are recommended to undergo enhanced screening that can include mammography, Pap tests, endoscopy/colonoscopy, pelvic and transvaginal ultrasonography, prostate-specific antigen or cancer antigen 125 blood tests, fecal occult blood tests, and CT of the neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.

But because the guidelines are new, little evidence exists regarding their validation in real-world cohorts. Researchers, therefore, assessed the IMACS guidelines in 370 patients, aged 18-80 years, who visited the University of Pennsylvania rheumatology-dermatology specialty clinic between July 2008 and January 2024. All participants had dermatomyositis and at least 3 years of follow-up and were an average 48 years old. The vast majority were women (87%) and White participants (89%).

Most (68.6%) had myositis-specific autoantibody test results, one of the factors included in the guidelines for determining whether the patient should be classified as low, intermediate, or high risk. Other factors for risk stratification included myositis subtype, age at disease onset, and clinical features. About half (49.2%) had classic dermatomyositis, 42.4% had amyopathic dermatomyositis, 3.8% had juvenile dermatomyositis, 3.2% had hypomyopathic dermatomyositis, 0.8% had antisynthetase syndrome, and 0.5% had immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy.

Just over half the patients (54%) were classified as high risk, while 37.3% were classified as intermediate risk and 8.9% as low risk using the guidelines. Among the 18 patients (4.9%) with paraneoplastic dermatomyositis, 15 were classified as high risk and 3 as intermediate risk.

Of the patients diagnosed with cancer, 55% of cases were diagnosed about a year before their dermatomyositis diagnosis. In three patients, symptoms “suggestive of cancer at the time of dermatomyositis diagnosis, including lymphadenopathy and unexplained weight loss,” led to diagnostic testing that found an underlying cancer.

In the eight patients diagnosed with cancer after their dermatomyositis diagnosis, 75% of the cancers were identified during the first year of follow-up and 25% in the second year. Five were identified based on basic cancer screening and three on enhanced screening.

A total of 11 patients (3%) developed intravenous contrast allergies, and no other adverse events were reported to be associated with cancer screening, but the study was not designed to capture other types of adverse screening effects, such as cost, quality of life, or risk from radiation exposure.

The most common neoplasm identified was breast cancer, found in nine (50%) of the patients using mammography. Two patients had lung cancer identified with chest radiography and two had ovarian cancer identified with abdominal radiography and CT. The remaining five patients included one each with bladder cancer, papillary thyroid cancer, renal cell carcinoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and adenocarcinoma with unknown primary.

The sensitivity of the guidelines in detecting cancer related to dermatomyositis was 100%, though the authors noted that the “IMACS risk-stratification scheme may overestimate cancer risk and encourage enhanced screening protocols of unclear benefit.” Most of the cancers found after dermatomyositis diagnosis were detected with routine age- and sex-related screening that already falls under basic cancer screening recommendations for the general population. Nonetheless, 90% of the participants fell into the intermediate- and high-risk groups, warranting a more comprehensive and costly enhanced screening protocol.
 

Will the Guidelines Lead to Overscreening? 

The 4.9% cancer prevalence is considerably lower than the typical 15%-25% prevalence among patients with dermatomyositis, but the findings, regardless, suggest the guidelines will lead to overscreening, wrote Andrea D. Maderal, MD, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida, and Alisa Femia, MD, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, in an accompanying editorial. Given that the median age in patients with cancer in the study was 58 years — 18 years older than the age cutoff for high-risk criteria — one way to refine the guidelines may be to increase the age for the high-risk category, they suggested.

“While these guidelines led to many ultimately unnecessary screening tests based on currently recommended designations of intermediate-risk and high-risk patients, these guidelines reflect a more conservative approach to screening than was previously performed,” Dr. Maderal and Dr. Femia wrote.

Jeff Gehlhausen, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, said he is not concerned about overscreening in patients, however, and is “very enthusiastic” about the findings.

“Patients are very anxious for good reason,” given the typical cancer prevalence of 25% in this population, he said in an interview. “I think therein lies the challenge — with that risk, what is ‘enough’ screening?” Yet this “incredibly impressive” study “provides real insights into the applicability of the IMACS screenings to our dermatomyositis management,” including relevance to his own patients. “Their findings are instructive for how to better evaluate these patients in a more mindful fashion,” he said, and they are particularly welcome, given how widely variable practice has historically been before the guidelines were issued.

“This question has been an outstanding one for decades, and nearly every doctor has a different answer,” Dr. Gehlhausen said. “The introduction of the guidelines alone are now much more actionable with this study, and that’s why it’s such an important one for our community.”

Benedict Wu, DO, PhD, director of Inpatient Dermatology and an assistant professor at Montefiore Einstein and a member of the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York City, similarly regarded the findings as reassuring, though he was surprised at the low prevalence of cancer in the patients.

“The most reassuring finding was that the detection of most malignancies was possible by using routine age- and sex-related screening combined with basic cancer screening,” Wu said in an interview. “Basic cancer screening can reduce costs while keeping patients safe.”

He also found it reassuring that all the paraneoplastic dermatomyositis was in intermediate- or high-risk patients, and while he does not see the IMACS guidelines as overestimating cancer risk, he does think “the risk stratification and recommended screening tests could be revised to be less ‘aggressive.’ ” 

The overall low rate of cancer in the group “calls into question the need for stringent and annual cancer screening,” he said. “In this large cohort of patients, the fact that malignancy was detected within 2 years of dermatomyositis diagnosis will help guide us with long-term screening recommendations.”

Despite the study’s small size and single-center design, the demographics of the patients nearly represents exactly what is found in the United States more broadly, Wu noted. He also drew attention to how many patients lacked the myositis antibody profile performed, and he agreed with the authors that more extensive and prospective studies need to be conducted. He also emphasized the need to keep in mind that “the primary goal of dermatomyositis management should focus on controlling/reducing the disease burden.”

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The authors had no disclosures. Dr. Maderal reported personal fees from argenx. No disclosures were noted for Dr. Gehlhausen and Dr. Wu.

A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

Newly issued guidelines for cancer screening in patients with dermatomyositis had 100% sensitivity in a single institution’s cohort, though most of the cancers found would have been detected with standard cancer screenings recommended for the general population, according to a research letter published in JAMA Dermatology.

“These early results emphasize the continued need to refine risk assessment and cancer screening for patients with dermatomyositis while balancing resource use and outcomes,” concluded Caroline J. Stone and her colleagues at the Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

dermatology.cdlib.org/CC BY-SA 3.0/wikimedia

Patients with dermatomyositis have approximately a 4.7 times greater risk for cancer than those without it, according to a 2016 meta-analysis. Despite the well-established link between cancer and dermatomyositis, cancer in people with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies is commonly diagnosed at a later stage and is the leading cause of death in people with these conditions.
 

Guidelines First Presented in 2022 and Published in 2023

A wide variability in screening practices eventually led the International Myositis Assessment & Clinical Studies Group (IMACS) to present the first evidence-based and consensus-based guidelines for cancer screening of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, including those with dermatomyositis, at the 2022 annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology and publish them in 2023 in Nature Reviews Rheumatology. The guidelines advise low-risk patients to undergo basic cancer screening with routine blood and urine studies, liver function tests, plain chest radiography, and age- and sex-appropriate cancer screening.

Intermediate- and high-risk patients are recommended to undergo enhanced screening that can include mammography, Pap tests, endoscopy/colonoscopy, pelvic and transvaginal ultrasonography, prostate-specific antigen or cancer antigen 125 blood tests, fecal occult blood tests, and CT of the neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.

But because the guidelines are new, little evidence exists regarding their validation in real-world cohorts. Researchers, therefore, assessed the IMACS guidelines in 370 patients, aged 18-80 years, who visited the University of Pennsylvania rheumatology-dermatology specialty clinic between July 2008 and January 2024. All participants had dermatomyositis and at least 3 years of follow-up and were an average 48 years old. The vast majority were women (87%) and White participants (89%).

Most (68.6%) had myositis-specific autoantibody test results, one of the factors included in the guidelines for determining whether the patient should be classified as low, intermediate, or high risk. Other factors for risk stratification included myositis subtype, age at disease onset, and clinical features. About half (49.2%) had classic dermatomyositis, 42.4% had amyopathic dermatomyositis, 3.8% had juvenile dermatomyositis, 3.2% had hypomyopathic dermatomyositis, 0.8% had antisynthetase syndrome, and 0.5% had immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy.

Just over half the patients (54%) were classified as high risk, while 37.3% were classified as intermediate risk and 8.9% as low risk using the guidelines. Among the 18 patients (4.9%) with paraneoplastic dermatomyositis, 15 were classified as high risk and 3 as intermediate risk.

Of the patients diagnosed with cancer, 55% of cases were diagnosed about a year before their dermatomyositis diagnosis. In three patients, symptoms “suggestive of cancer at the time of dermatomyositis diagnosis, including lymphadenopathy and unexplained weight loss,” led to diagnostic testing that found an underlying cancer.

In the eight patients diagnosed with cancer after their dermatomyositis diagnosis, 75% of the cancers were identified during the first year of follow-up and 25% in the second year. Five were identified based on basic cancer screening and three on enhanced screening.

A total of 11 patients (3%) developed intravenous contrast allergies, and no other adverse events were reported to be associated with cancer screening, but the study was not designed to capture other types of adverse screening effects, such as cost, quality of life, or risk from radiation exposure.

The most common neoplasm identified was breast cancer, found in nine (50%) of the patients using mammography. Two patients had lung cancer identified with chest radiography and two had ovarian cancer identified with abdominal radiography and CT. The remaining five patients included one each with bladder cancer, papillary thyroid cancer, renal cell carcinoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and adenocarcinoma with unknown primary.

The sensitivity of the guidelines in detecting cancer related to dermatomyositis was 100%, though the authors noted that the “IMACS risk-stratification scheme may overestimate cancer risk and encourage enhanced screening protocols of unclear benefit.” Most of the cancers found after dermatomyositis diagnosis were detected with routine age- and sex-related screening that already falls under basic cancer screening recommendations for the general population. Nonetheless, 90% of the participants fell into the intermediate- and high-risk groups, warranting a more comprehensive and costly enhanced screening protocol.
 

Will the Guidelines Lead to Overscreening? 

The 4.9% cancer prevalence is considerably lower than the typical 15%-25% prevalence among patients with dermatomyositis, but the findings, regardless, suggest the guidelines will lead to overscreening, wrote Andrea D. Maderal, MD, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida, and Alisa Femia, MD, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, in an accompanying editorial. Given that the median age in patients with cancer in the study was 58 years — 18 years older than the age cutoff for high-risk criteria — one way to refine the guidelines may be to increase the age for the high-risk category, they suggested.

“While these guidelines led to many ultimately unnecessary screening tests based on currently recommended designations of intermediate-risk and high-risk patients, these guidelines reflect a more conservative approach to screening than was previously performed,” Dr. Maderal and Dr. Femia wrote.

Jeff Gehlhausen, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, said he is not concerned about overscreening in patients, however, and is “very enthusiastic” about the findings.

“Patients are very anxious for good reason,” given the typical cancer prevalence of 25% in this population, he said in an interview. “I think therein lies the challenge — with that risk, what is ‘enough’ screening?” Yet this “incredibly impressive” study “provides real insights into the applicability of the IMACS screenings to our dermatomyositis management,” including relevance to his own patients. “Their findings are instructive for how to better evaluate these patients in a more mindful fashion,” he said, and they are particularly welcome, given how widely variable practice has historically been before the guidelines were issued.

“This question has been an outstanding one for decades, and nearly every doctor has a different answer,” Dr. Gehlhausen said. “The introduction of the guidelines alone are now much more actionable with this study, and that’s why it’s such an important one for our community.”

Benedict Wu, DO, PhD, director of Inpatient Dermatology and an assistant professor at Montefiore Einstein and a member of the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York City, similarly regarded the findings as reassuring, though he was surprised at the low prevalence of cancer in the patients.

“The most reassuring finding was that the detection of most malignancies was possible by using routine age- and sex-related screening combined with basic cancer screening,” Wu said in an interview. “Basic cancer screening can reduce costs while keeping patients safe.”

He also found it reassuring that all the paraneoplastic dermatomyositis was in intermediate- or high-risk patients, and while he does not see the IMACS guidelines as overestimating cancer risk, he does think “the risk stratification and recommended screening tests could be revised to be less ‘aggressive.’ ” 

The overall low rate of cancer in the group “calls into question the need for stringent and annual cancer screening,” he said. “In this large cohort of patients, the fact that malignancy was detected within 2 years of dermatomyositis diagnosis will help guide us with long-term screening recommendations.”

Despite the study’s small size and single-center design, the demographics of the patients nearly represents exactly what is found in the United States more broadly, Wu noted. He also drew attention to how many patients lacked the myositis antibody profile performed, and he agreed with the authors that more extensive and prospective studies need to be conducted. He also emphasized the need to keep in mind that “the primary goal of dermatomyositis management should focus on controlling/reducing the disease burden.”

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The authors had no disclosures. Dr. Maderal reported personal fees from argenx. No disclosures were noted for Dr. Gehlhausen and Dr. Wu.

A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

The patient had been diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) 1 year prior to presentation with erosions on the axilla. Biopsy at that time revealed intraepithelial acantholytic blistering with areas of suprabasilar and subcorneal clefting. Direct immunofluorescence was positive for linear/granular IgG deposition throughout the epithelial cell surfaces, as well as linear/granular C3 deposits of the lower two thirds of the epithelial strata, consistent for pemphigus vulgaris.

PV is a rare autoimmune bullous disease in which antibodies are directed against desmoglein 1 and 3 and less commonly, plakoglobin. There is likely a genetic predisposition. Medications that may induce pemphigus include penicillamine, nifedipine, or captopril.

Clinically, PV presents with flaccid blistering lesions that may be cutaneous and/or mucosal. Bullae can progress to erosions and crusting, which then heal with pigment alteration but not scarring. The most commonly affected sites are the mouth, intertriginous areas, face, and neck. Mucosal lesions can involve the lips, esophagus, conjunctiva, and genitals.

Biopsy for histology and direct immunofluorescence is important in distinguishing between PV and other blistering disorders. Up to 75% of patients with active disease also have a positive indirect immunofluorescence with circulating IgG.

There are numerous reports in the literature of PV occurring in previous surgical scars, and areas of friction or trauma. This so-called Koebner’s phenomenon is seen more commonly in several dermatologic conditions, such as psoriasis, lichen planus, verruca vulgaris, and vitiligo.

Treatment for PV is generally immunosuppressive. Systemic therapy usually begins with prednisone and then is transitioned to a steroid sparing agent such as mycophenolate mofetil. Other steroid sparing agents include azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and intravenous immunoglobulin. Secondary infections are possible and should be treated. Topical therapies aimed at reducing pain, especially in mucosal lesions, can be beneficial.
 

Dr. Bilu Martin is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice at Premier Dermatology, MD, in Aventura, Florida. More diagnostic cases are available at mdedge.com/dermatology. To submit a case for possible publication, send an email to dermnews@mdedge.com.

References

Cerottini JP et al. Eur J Dermatol. 2000 Oct-Nov;10(7):546-7.

Reichert-Penetrat S et al. Eur J Dermatol. 1998 Jan-Feb;8(1):60-2.

Saini P et al. Skinmed. 2020 Aug 1;18(4):252-253.

The patient had been diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) 1 year prior to presentation with erosions on the axilla. Biopsy at that time revealed intraepithelial acantholytic blistering with areas of suprabasilar and subcorneal clefting. Direct immunofluorescence was positive for linear/granular IgG deposition throughout the epithelial cell surfaces, as well as linear/granular C3 deposits of the lower two thirds of the epithelial strata, consistent for pemphigus vulgaris.

PV is a rare autoimmune bullous disease in which antibodies are directed against desmoglein 1 and 3 and less commonly, plakoglobin. There is likely a genetic predisposition. Medications that may induce pemphigus include penicillamine, nifedipine, or captopril.

Clinically, PV presents with flaccid blistering lesions that may be cutaneous and/or mucosal. Bullae can progress to erosions and crusting, which then heal with pigment alteration but not scarring. The most commonly affected sites are the mouth, intertriginous areas, face, and neck. Mucosal lesions can involve the lips, esophagus, conjunctiva, and genitals.

Biopsy for histology and direct immunofluorescence is important in distinguishing between PV and other blistering disorders. Up to 75% of patients with active disease also have a positive indirect immunofluorescence with circulating IgG.

There are numerous reports in the literature of PV occurring in previous surgical scars, and areas of friction or trauma. This so-called Koebner’s phenomenon is seen more commonly in several dermatologic conditions, such as psoriasis, lichen planus, verruca vulgaris, and vitiligo.

Treatment for PV is generally immunosuppressive. Systemic therapy usually begins with prednisone and then is transitioned to a steroid sparing agent such as mycophenolate mofetil. Other steroid sparing agents include azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and intravenous immunoglobulin. Secondary infections are possible and should be treated. Topical therapies aimed at reducing pain, especially in mucosal lesions, can be beneficial.
 

Dr. Bilu Martin is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice at Premier Dermatology, MD, in Aventura, Florida. More diagnostic cases are available at mdedge.com/dermatology. To submit a case for possible publication, send an email to dermnews@mdedge.com.

References

Cerottini JP et al. Eur J Dermatol. 2000 Oct-Nov;10(7):546-7.

Reichert-Penetrat S et al. Eur J Dermatol. 1998 Jan-Feb;8(1):60-2.

Saini P et al. Skinmed. 2020 Aug 1;18(4):252-253.

The patient had been diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) 1 year prior to presentation with erosions on the axilla. Biopsy at that time revealed intraepithelial acantholytic blistering with areas of suprabasilar and subcorneal clefting. Direct immunofluorescence was positive for linear/granular IgG deposition throughout the epithelial cell surfaces, as well as linear/granular C3 deposits of the lower two thirds of the epithelial strata, consistent for pemphigus vulgaris.

PV is a rare autoimmune bullous disease in which antibodies are directed against desmoglein 1 and 3 and less commonly, plakoglobin. There is likely a genetic predisposition. Medications that may induce pemphigus include penicillamine, nifedipine, or captopril.

Clinically, PV presents with flaccid blistering lesions that may be cutaneous and/or mucosal. Bullae can progress to erosions and crusting, which then heal with pigment alteration but not scarring. The most commonly affected sites are the mouth, intertriginous areas, face, and neck. Mucosal lesions can involve the lips, esophagus, conjunctiva, and genitals.

Biopsy for histology and direct immunofluorescence is important in distinguishing between PV and other blistering disorders. Up to 75% of patients with active disease also have a positive indirect immunofluorescence with circulating IgG.

There are numerous reports in the literature of PV occurring in previous surgical scars, and areas of friction or trauma. This so-called Koebner’s phenomenon is seen more commonly in several dermatologic conditions, such as psoriasis, lichen planus, verruca vulgaris, and vitiligo.

Treatment for PV is generally immunosuppressive. Systemic therapy usually begins with prednisone and then is transitioned to a steroid sparing agent such as mycophenolate mofetil. Other steroid sparing agents include azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and intravenous immunoglobulin. Secondary infections are possible and should be treated. Topical therapies aimed at reducing pain, especially in mucosal lesions, can be beneficial.
 

Dr. Bilu Martin is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice at Premier Dermatology, MD, in Aventura, Florida. More diagnostic cases are available at mdedge.com/dermatology. To submit a case for possible publication, send an email to dermnews@mdedge.com.

References

Cerottini JP et al. Eur J Dermatol. 2000 Oct-Nov;10(7):546-7.

Reichert-Penetrat S et al. Eur J Dermatol. 1998 Jan-Feb;8(1):60-2.

Saini P et al. Skinmed. 2020 Aug 1;18(4):252-253.

Early use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a drug used to dampen the immune system in organ transplant recipients, may reduce the risk for severe flares in patients with newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to results from a randomized, open-label, observer-blinded clinical trial.

In interviews, two SLE specialists who were not involved with the study said the research is preliminary but promising. However, another specialist criticized the paper’s reliance on unusual doses of prednisone and MMF, saying it “puts people on a treatment regimen that nobody ever uses.”

The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that about 16,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with lupus each year. “Our current treatment paradigm is to go pretty slowly and start treatment for new-onset, mild SLE with glucocorticoids, if necessary, and hydroxychloroquine,” said Karen H. Costenbader, MD, MPH, of Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.

Stronger immunosuppressive agents may be added as patients progress, she said.

Off-label use of MMF, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for patients with certain organ transplants, may be appropriate in some cases, she said. “There is a big push to start immunosuppressives earlier, but we currently would reserve mycophenolate for those with severe manifestations — lupus nephritis; vasculitis; or lung, brain, or heart inflammation.”

In the trial, adult patients who received oral prednisone (starting at 0.5 mg/kg per day) and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (5 mg/kg per day) plus MMF (500 mg twice daily) for 96 weeks were less likely to develop severe flares than those who took the regimen without MMF (relative risk [RR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.17-0.87; P = .01). Severe flares occurred in 10.8% of the MMF group (7 of 65 patients) and in 27.7% of the control group (18 of 65), Yijun You, MD, of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, and colleagues reported in JAMA Network Open. 

Patients in the MMF group also had 89% lower risk for lupus nephritis than those in the control group (RR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01-0.85; P = .008), with kidney involvement occurring in 1.5% (1 of 65) vs 13.8% (9 of 65).

During 2018-2021, researchers recruited 130 patients in China aged 18-65 years with newly diagnosed SLE, a high titer of anti–double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, and no major organ involvement (mean age, 34.5 years; 86.2% women). Patients’ initial 0.5–mg/kg per day prednisone dose was maintained for 4 weeks, then tapered by 5.0 mg every 2 weeks, and when the dose had been reduced to 20.0 mg/day, it was tapered by 5 mg every month and then gradually to 0.1-0.2 mg/kg per day. If patients had severe flares, they stopped taking MMF. (The study authors did not respond to requests for comment on the study.) 
 

‘A Treatment Regimen That Nobody Ever Uses’

While Dr. Costenbader called the study “very interesting” and said “every person diagnosing or taking care of patients with lupus should be familiar” with it, she noted that the prednisone doses were high. “I am wondering why they used quite so much glucocorticoid for everyone. This may have masked some of the MMF effect and biased toward the null. They also used a low dose of MMF and did not ramp it up as we would normally to a full dose. That being said, it is remarkable that it was well-tolerated and resulted in better outcomes over the period of the trial.”

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Daniel J. Wallace, MD, of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, and the University of California, Los Angeles, also highlighted the high doses of prednisone and low doses of MMF. “It’s a useless paper that puts people on a treatment regimen that nobody ever uses,” he said.

The rates of mild to moderate flares were similar between the control and intervention groups (38.5% vs 36.9%, respectively; RR, 0.96; P = .90). This finding is surprising, said Judith A. James, MD, PhD, executive vice president, chief medical officer, and head of the rheumatology clinic and Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City and also the Associate Vice Provost of Clinical & Translational Science, professor of medicine, and George Lynn Cross Research Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. “It may be that mild flares have a different mechanism or are caused by noninflammatory endotypes that don’t respond to MMF.”

Dr. Costenbader noted that a risk-benefit analysis will need to be done to take the risks of MMF into account. “However, every time that a person flares or is not in lupus low-disease activity state, potentially permanent organ damage is done and the patient suffers,” she said. “Preventing lupus nephritis de novo was also seen — nine cases potentially prevented — and that is also really interesting. It would be amazing if we could completely avoid that life-threatening complication.”

MMF can cause miscarriage and boost the risk for birth defects, and the manufacturer says it can lower the effectiveness of birth control pills. It can also boost the risk for some cancers such as lymphoma and increase the risk for infections.

Surprisingly, the number of adverse events in the control and intervention groups were similar (35.4% vs 46.2%, respectively; RR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.86-1.99; P = .20). They included infection (30.8% vs 33.8%, respectively; P = .70) and gastrointestinal tract events (16.9% for both; P > .99).

“There were overall pretty similar rates of side effects, but maybe this was because MMF dose was pretty low in the treated group, or the glucocorticoid dose was not so low in both groups,” Dr. Costenbader said. She also noted that “the risk of malignancy with MMF is longer term than this study. It may not show up for 5-10 or even more years, but we know it exists. Infections are also increased with MMF — some of which can be avoided with vaccines for COVID, pneumonia, influenza, shingles, etc. MMF also causes gastrointestinal intolerance, and people often are not able to take it because of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and elevated liver function tests.”

courtesy OMRF

Dr. James said the infection rates “may be due to the higher doses of steroids patients in both groups are on for several months at the beginning of the study.”

A total of 12 patients in the MMF group discontinued the intervention for various reasons, and 6 were lost to follow-up. In the control group, 20 discontinued the intervention and two were lost to follow-up. However, all 130 patients in the trial were included in the primary and secondary outcome analyses.

Should clinicians consider prescribing MMF to patients with new-onset SLE? “We usually wait until later when there are indications of more severe disease, but here they started it from the time of diagnosis if the patient was anti-dsDNA positive. Given insurance restrictions in this country, we would be unlikely to be able to do that for many patients,” Dr. Costenbader said. “They likely also overtreated a lot of patients who didn’t need it. Due to our lack of more specific biomarkers and precision medicine for lupus, we do currently undertreat a lot of patients, as this study highlights, as well as overtreat others.”
 

How Much Might Cost Factor Into Treatment Decisions?

The study did not examine cost. Prednisone and hydroxychloroquine sulfate are inexpensive, but Dr. James said MMF can cost about $450 a month at the study dosage. However, “the average hospitalization without an ICU [intensive care unit] visit for an SLE patient is about $15,000-$20,000. If you can avoid one hospitalization, you can pay for nearly 4 years of MMF. More importantly, from a financial perspective, if you can convert a severe lupus patient to a mild/moderate lupus patient, then the annual costs of lupus decrease nearly by half, from about $52,000 per year to $25,000 per year.”

The study authors noted various limitations such as the small number of subjects, the need for a longer trial “to determine the advantages and disadvantages of early application of MMF,” and the fact that all subjects were Asian. The authors also called for confirmation via a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The study was funded by grants to the authors by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shanghai Rising-Star Program, Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai, Five-Year National Key R&D Program, and Ruijin–Zhongmei Huadong Lupus Funding. The authors had no disclosures. Dr. Costenbader disclosed consulting/research collaboration relationships with AstraZeneca, Amgen, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GSK, Merck, Gilead, and Cabaletta. Dr. James and Dr. Wallace had no disclosures.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Early use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a drug used to dampen the immune system in organ transplant recipients, may reduce the risk for severe flares in patients with newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to results from a randomized, open-label, observer-blinded clinical trial.

In interviews, two SLE specialists who were not involved with the study said the research is preliminary but promising. However, another specialist criticized the paper’s reliance on unusual doses of prednisone and MMF, saying it “puts people on a treatment regimen that nobody ever uses.”

The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that about 16,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with lupus each year. “Our current treatment paradigm is to go pretty slowly and start treatment for new-onset, mild SLE with glucocorticoids, if necessary, and hydroxychloroquine,” said Karen H. Costenbader, MD, MPH, of Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.

Stronger immunosuppressive agents may be added as patients progress, she said.

Off-label use of MMF, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for patients with certain organ transplants, may be appropriate in some cases, she said. “There is a big push to start immunosuppressives earlier, but we currently would reserve mycophenolate for those with severe manifestations — lupus nephritis; vasculitis; or lung, brain, or heart inflammation.”

In the trial, adult patients who received oral prednisone (starting at 0.5 mg/kg per day) and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (5 mg/kg per day) plus MMF (500 mg twice daily) for 96 weeks were less likely to develop severe flares than those who took the regimen without MMF (relative risk [RR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.17-0.87; P = .01). Severe flares occurred in 10.8% of the MMF group (7 of 65 patients) and in 27.7% of the control group (18 of 65), Yijun You, MD, of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, and colleagues reported in JAMA Network Open. 

Patients in the MMF group also had 89% lower risk for lupus nephritis than those in the control group (RR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01-0.85; P = .008), with kidney involvement occurring in 1.5% (1 of 65) vs 13.8% (9 of 65).

During 2018-2021, researchers recruited 130 patients in China aged 18-65 years with newly diagnosed SLE, a high titer of anti–double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, and no major organ involvement (mean age, 34.5 years; 86.2% women). Patients’ initial 0.5–mg/kg per day prednisone dose was maintained for 4 weeks, then tapered by 5.0 mg every 2 weeks, and when the dose had been reduced to 20.0 mg/day, it was tapered by 5 mg every month and then gradually to 0.1-0.2 mg/kg per day. If patients had severe flares, they stopped taking MMF. (The study authors did not respond to requests for comment on the study.) 
 

‘A Treatment Regimen That Nobody Ever Uses’

While Dr. Costenbader called the study “very interesting” and said “every person diagnosing or taking care of patients with lupus should be familiar” with it, she noted that the prednisone doses were high. “I am wondering why they used quite so much glucocorticoid for everyone. This may have masked some of the MMF effect and biased toward the null. They also used a low dose of MMF and did not ramp it up as we would normally to a full dose. That being said, it is remarkable that it was well-tolerated and resulted in better outcomes over the period of the trial.”

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Daniel J. Wallace, MD, of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, and the University of California, Los Angeles, also highlighted the high doses of prednisone and low doses of MMF. “It’s a useless paper that puts people on a treatment regimen that nobody ever uses,” he said.

The rates of mild to moderate flares were similar between the control and intervention groups (38.5% vs 36.9%, respectively; RR, 0.96; P = .90). This finding is surprising, said Judith A. James, MD, PhD, executive vice president, chief medical officer, and head of the rheumatology clinic and Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City and also the Associate Vice Provost of Clinical & Translational Science, professor of medicine, and George Lynn Cross Research Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. “It may be that mild flares have a different mechanism or are caused by noninflammatory endotypes that don’t respond to MMF.”

Dr. Costenbader noted that a risk-benefit analysis will need to be done to take the risks of MMF into account. “However, every time that a person flares or is not in lupus low-disease activity state, potentially permanent organ damage is done and the patient suffers,” she said. “Preventing lupus nephritis de novo was also seen — nine cases potentially prevented — and that is also really interesting. It would be amazing if we could completely avoid that life-threatening complication.”

MMF can cause miscarriage and boost the risk for birth defects, and the manufacturer says it can lower the effectiveness of birth control pills. It can also boost the risk for some cancers such as lymphoma and increase the risk for infections.

Surprisingly, the number of adverse events in the control and intervention groups were similar (35.4% vs 46.2%, respectively; RR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.86-1.99; P = .20). They included infection (30.8% vs 33.8%, respectively; P = .70) and gastrointestinal tract events (16.9% for both; P > .99).

“There were overall pretty similar rates of side effects, but maybe this was because MMF dose was pretty low in the treated group, or the glucocorticoid dose was not so low in both groups,” Dr. Costenbader said. She also noted that “the risk of malignancy with MMF is longer term than this study. It may not show up for 5-10 or even more years, but we know it exists. Infections are also increased with MMF — some of which can be avoided with vaccines for COVID, pneumonia, influenza, shingles, etc. MMF also causes gastrointestinal intolerance, and people often are not able to take it because of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and elevated liver function tests.”

courtesy OMRF

Dr. James said the infection rates “may be due to the higher doses of steroids patients in both groups are on for several months at the beginning of the study.”

A total of 12 patients in the MMF group discontinued the intervention for various reasons, and 6 were lost to follow-up. In the control group, 20 discontinued the intervention and two were lost to follow-up. However, all 130 patients in the trial were included in the primary and secondary outcome analyses.

Should clinicians consider prescribing MMF to patients with new-onset SLE? “We usually wait until later when there are indications of more severe disease, but here they started it from the time of diagnosis if the patient was anti-dsDNA positive. Given insurance restrictions in this country, we would be unlikely to be able to do that for many patients,” Dr. Costenbader said. “They likely also overtreated a lot of patients who didn’t need it. Due to our lack of more specific biomarkers and precision medicine for lupus, we do currently undertreat a lot of patients, as this study highlights, as well as overtreat others.”
 

How Much Might Cost Factor Into Treatment Decisions?

The study did not examine cost. Prednisone and hydroxychloroquine sulfate are inexpensive, but Dr. James said MMF can cost about $450 a month at the study dosage. However, “the average hospitalization without an ICU [intensive care unit] visit for an SLE patient is about $15,000-$20,000. If you can avoid one hospitalization, you can pay for nearly 4 years of MMF. More importantly, from a financial perspective, if you can convert a severe lupus patient to a mild/moderate lupus patient, then the annual costs of lupus decrease nearly by half, from about $52,000 per year to $25,000 per year.”

The study authors noted various limitations such as the small number of subjects, the need for a longer trial “to determine the advantages and disadvantages of early application of MMF,” and the fact that all subjects were Asian. The authors also called for confirmation via a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The study was funded by grants to the authors by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shanghai Rising-Star Program, Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai, Five-Year National Key R&D Program, and Ruijin–Zhongmei Huadong Lupus Funding. The authors had no disclosures. Dr. Costenbader disclosed consulting/research collaboration relationships with AstraZeneca, Amgen, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GSK, Merck, Gilead, and Cabaletta. Dr. James and Dr. Wallace had no disclosures.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Early use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a drug used to dampen the immune system in organ transplant recipients, may reduce the risk for severe flares in patients with newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to results from a randomized, open-label, observer-blinded clinical trial.

In interviews, two SLE specialists who were not involved with the study said the research is preliminary but promising. However, another specialist criticized the paper’s reliance on unusual doses of prednisone and MMF, saying it “puts people on a treatment regimen that nobody ever uses.”

The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that about 16,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with lupus each year. “Our current treatment paradigm is to go pretty slowly and start treatment for new-onset, mild SLE with glucocorticoids, if necessary, and hydroxychloroquine,” said Karen H. Costenbader, MD, MPH, of Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.

Stronger immunosuppressive agents may be added as patients progress, she said.

Off-label use of MMF, which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for patients with certain organ transplants, may be appropriate in some cases, she said. “There is a big push to start immunosuppressives earlier, but we currently would reserve mycophenolate for those with severe manifestations — lupus nephritis; vasculitis; or lung, brain, or heart inflammation.”

In the trial, adult patients who received oral prednisone (starting at 0.5 mg/kg per day) and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (5 mg/kg per day) plus MMF (500 mg twice daily) for 96 weeks were less likely to develop severe flares than those who took the regimen without MMF (relative risk [RR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.17-0.87; P = .01). Severe flares occurred in 10.8% of the MMF group (7 of 65 patients) and in 27.7% of the control group (18 of 65), Yijun You, MD, of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, and colleagues reported in JAMA Network Open. 

Patients in the MMF group also had 89% lower risk for lupus nephritis than those in the control group (RR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01-0.85; P = .008), with kidney involvement occurring in 1.5% (1 of 65) vs 13.8% (9 of 65).

During 2018-2021, researchers recruited 130 patients in China aged 18-65 years with newly diagnosed SLE, a high titer of anti–double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies, and no major organ involvement (mean age, 34.5 years; 86.2% women). Patients’ initial 0.5–mg/kg per day prednisone dose was maintained for 4 weeks, then tapered by 5.0 mg every 2 weeks, and when the dose had been reduced to 20.0 mg/day, it was tapered by 5 mg every month and then gradually to 0.1-0.2 mg/kg per day. If patients had severe flares, they stopped taking MMF. (The study authors did not respond to requests for comment on the study.) 
 

‘A Treatment Regimen That Nobody Ever Uses’

While Dr. Costenbader called the study “very interesting” and said “every person diagnosing or taking care of patients with lupus should be familiar” with it, she noted that the prednisone doses were high. “I am wondering why they used quite so much glucocorticoid for everyone. This may have masked some of the MMF effect and biased toward the null. They also used a low dose of MMF and did not ramp it up as we would normally to a full dose. That being said, it is remarkable that it was well-tolerated and resulted in better outcomes over the period of the trial.”

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Daniel J. Wallace, MD, of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, and the University of California, Los Angeles, also highlighted the high doses of prednisone and low doses of MMF. “It’s a useless paper that puts people on a treatment regimen that nobody ever uses,” he said.

The rates of mild to moderate flares were similar between the control and intervention groups (38.5% vs 36.9%, respectively; RR, 0.96; P = .90). This finding is surprising, said Judith A. James, MD, PhD, executive vice president, chief medical officer, and head of the rheumatology clinic and Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City and also the Associate Vice Provost of Clinical & Translational Science, professor of medicine, and George Lynn Cross Research Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. “It may be that mild flares have a different mechanism or are caused by noninflammatory endotypes that don’t respond to MMF.”

Dr. Costenbader noted that a risk-benefit analysis will need to be done to take the risks of MMF into account. “However, every time that a person flares or is not in lupus low-disease activity state, potentially permanent organ damage is done and the patient suffers,” she said. “Preventing lupus nephritis de novo was also seen — nine cases potentially prevented — and that is also really interesting. It would be amazing if we could completely avoid that life-threatening complication.”

MMF can cause miscarriage and boost the risk for birth defects, and the manufacturer says it can lower the effectiveness of birth control pills. It can also boost the risk for some cancers such as lymphoma and increase the risk for infections.

Surprisingly, the number of adverse events in the control and intervention groups were similar (35.4% vs 46.2%, respectively; RR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.86-1.99; P = .20). They included infection (30.8% vs 33.8%, respectively; P = .70) and gastrointestinal tract events (16.9% for both; P > .99).

“There were overall pretty similar rates of side effects, but maybe this was because MMF dose was pretty low in the treated group, or the glucocorticoid dose was not so low in both groups,” Dr. Costenbader said. She also noted that “the risk of malignancy with MMF is longer term than this study. It may not show up for 5-10 or even more years, but we know it exists. Infections are also increased with MMF — some of which can be avoided with vaccines for COVID, pneumonia, influenza, shingles, etc. MMF also causes gastrointestinal intolerance, and people often are not able to take it because of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and elevated liver function tests.”

courtesy OMRF

Dr. James said the infection rates “may be due to the higher doses of steroids patients in both groups are on for several months at the beginning of the study.”

A total of 12 patients in the MMF group discontinued the intervention for various reasons, and 6 were lost to follow-up. In the control group, 20 discontinued the intervention and two were lost to follow-up. However, all 130 patients in the trial were included in the primary and secondary outcome analyses.

Should clinicians consider prescribing MMF to patients with new-onset SLE? “We usually wait until later when there are indications of more severe disease, but here they started it from the time of diagnosis if the patient was anti-dsDNA positive. Given insurance restrictions in this country, we would be unlikely to be able to do that for many patients,” Dr. Costenbader said. “They likely also overtreated a lot of patients who didn’t need it. Due to our lack of more specific biomarkers and precision medicine for lupus, we do currently undertreat a lot of patients, as this study highlights, as well as overtreat others.”
 

How Much Might Cost Factor Into Treatment Decisions?

The study did not examine cost. Prednisone and hydroxychloroquine sulfate are inexpensive, but Dr. James said MMF can cost about $450 a month at the study dosage. However, “the average hospitalization without an ICU [intensive care unit] visit for an SLE patient is about $15,000-$20,000. If you can avoid one hospitalization, you can pay for nearly 4 years of MMF. More importantly, from a financial perspective, if you can convert a severe lupus patient to a mild/moderate lupus patient, then the annual costs of lupus decrease nearly by half, from about $52,000 per year to $25,000 per year.”

The study authors noted various limitations such as the small number of subjects, the need for a longer trial “to determine the advantages and disadvantages of early application of MMF,” and the fact that all subjects were Asian. The authors also called for confirmation via a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The study was funded by grants to the authors by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shanghai Rising-Star Program, Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai, Five-Year National Key R&D Program, and Ruijin–Zhongmei Huadong Lupus Funding. The authors had no disclosures. Dr. Costenbader disclosed consulting/research collaboration relationships with AstraZeneca, Amgen, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GSK, Merck, Gilead, and Cabaletta. Dr. James and Dr. Wallace had no disclosures.

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Hypnosis reduces pain during sharp debridement of skin ulcers in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, with most patients reporting decreased pain awareness and lasting pain relief for 2-3 days after the procedure.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers reported their experience with the anecdotal use of hypnosis for pain management in debridement of skin ulcers in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
• They studied 16 participants (14 women; mean age, 56 years; 14 with systemic sclerosis or morphea) with recurrent skin ulcerations requiring sharp debridement, who presented to a wound care clinic at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom. The participants had negative experiences with pharmacologic pain management.
• Participants consented to hypnosis during debridement as the only mode of analgesia, conducted by the same hypnosis-trained, experienced healthcare professional in charge of their ulcer care.
• Ulcer pain scores were recorded using a numerical rating pain scale before and immediately after debridement, with a score of 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating worst pain.

TAKEAWAY:

• Hypnosis reduced the median pre-debridement ulcer pain score from 8 (interquartile range [IQR], 7-10) to 0.5 (IQR, 0-2) immediately after the procedure.
• Of 16 participants, 14 reported being aware of the procedure but not feeling the pain, with only two participants experiencing a brief spike in pain.
• The other two participants reported experiencing reduced awareness and being pain-free during the procedure.
• Five participants reported a lasting decrease in pain perception for 2-3 days after the procedure.

IN PRACTICE:

“These preliminary data underscore the potential for the integration of hypnosis into the management of intervention-related pain in clinical care,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Begonya Alcacer-Pitarch, PhD, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, the University of Leeds, and Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds, United Kingdom. It was published as a correspondence on September 10, 2024, in The Lancet Rheumatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The small sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. The methods used for data collection were not standardized, and the individuals included in the study may have introduced selection bias.

DISCLOSURES:

The study did not have a funding source. The authors declared no relevant conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Hypnosis reduces pain during sharp debridement of skin ulcers in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, with most patients reporting decreased pain awareness and lasting pain relief for 2-3 days after the procedure.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers reported their experience with the anecdotal use of hypnosis for pain management in debridement of skin ulcers in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
• They studied 16 participants (14 women; mean age, 56 years; 14 with systemic sclerosis or morphea) with recurrent skin ulcerations requiring sharp debridement, who presented to a wound care clinic at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom. The participants had negative experiences with pharmacologic pain management.
• Participants consented to hypnosis during debridement as the only mode of analgesia, conducted by the same hypnosis-trained, experienced healthcare professional in charge of their ulcer care.
• Ulcer pain scores were recorded using a numerical rating pain scale before and immediately after debridement, with a score of 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating worst pain.

TAKEAWAY:

• Hypnosis reduced the median pre-debridement ulcer pain score from 8 (interquartile range [IQR], 7-10) to 0.5 (IQR, 0-2) immediately after the procedure.
• Of 16 participants, 14 reported being aware of the procedure but not feeling the pain, with only two participants experiencing a brief spike in pain.
• The other two participants reported experiencing reduced awareness and being pain-free during the procedure.
• Five participants reported a lasting decrease in pain perception for 2-3 days after the procedure.

IN PRACTICE:

“These preliminary data underscore the potential for the integration of hypnosis into the management of intervention-related pain in clinical care,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Begonya Alcacer-Pitarch, PhD, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, the University of Leeds, and Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds, United Kingdom. It was published as a correspondence on September 10, 2024, in The Lancet Rheumatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The small sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. The methods used for data collection were not standardized, and the individuals included in the study may have introduced selection bias.

DISCLOSURES:

The study did not have a funding source. The authors declared no relevant conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.

TOPLINE:

Hypnosis reduces pain during sharp debridement of skin ulcers in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, with most patients reporting decreased pain awareness and lasting pain relief for 2-3 days after the procedure.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers reported their experience with the anecdotal use of hypnosis for pain management in debridement of skin ulcers in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
• They studied 16 participants (14 women; mean age, 56 years; 14 with systemic sclerosis or morphea) with recurrent skin ulcerations requiring sharp debridement, who presented to a wound care clinic at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom. The participants had negative experiences with pharmacologic pain management.
• Participants consented to hypnosis during debridement as the only mode of analgesia, conducted by the same hypnosis-trained, experienced healthcare professional in charge of their ulcer care.
• Ulcer pain scores were recorded using a numerical rating pain scale before and immediately after debridement, with a score of 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating worst pain.

TAKEAWAY:

• Hypnosis reduced the median pre-debridement ulcer pain score from 8 (interquartile range [IQR], 7-10) to 0.5 (IQR, 0-2) immediately after the procedure.
• Of 16 participants, 14 reported being aware of the procedure but not feeling the pain, with only two participants experiencing a brief spike in pain.
• The other two participants reported experiencing reduced awareness and being pain-free during the procedure.
• Five participants reported a lasting decrease in pain perception for 2-3 days after the procedure.

IN PRACTICE:

“These preliminary data underscore the potential for the integration of hypnosis into the management of intervention-related pain in clinical care,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Begonya Alcacer-Pitarch, PhD, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, the University of Leeds, and Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds, United Kingdom. It was published as a correspondence on September 10, 2024, in The Lancet Rheumatology.

LIMITATIONS:

The small sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. The methods used for data collection were not standardized, and the individuals included in the study may have introduced selection bias.

DISCLOSURES:

The study did not have a funding source. The authors declared no relevant conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.