Skin & Allergy News articles from October 2006

Skin & Allergy News archives from October 2006

Funding stalls DEB therapy advance.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... SAN DIEGO -- A gene therapy for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa that could be delivered by office-based dermatologists is feasible and likely to be effective, but advancement of this therapeutic approach is hindered by lack of funding, said...

FDA panel backs Radiesse approval, with conditions: physician training program recommended.
October 1, 2006... GAITHERSBURG, MD. -- The majority of a federal advisory panel recommended approval of an injectable calcium hydroxylapatite implant for correcting HIV-related facial lipoatrophy and for correcting nasolabial folds, with a list of conditions for...

Sunscreen approval paves the way for UVA blockers.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... CORONADO, CALIF. -- The arrival of two new sunscreen formulations in the U.S. market will undoubtedly lead to better UVA protection for patients, but it remains to be seen whether either will stack up to products that are available in Canada...

Infliximab's indication reflects PsA inhibition.(News)
October 1, 2006... The approved psoriatic arthritis indication for infliximab has been expanded to reflect data showing that the immune modulator has a positive impact on physical function and progression in joint destruction in people with psoriatic arthritis....

McClellan resigns as CMS chief; touts Medicare Part D progress.(News)
October 1, 2006... As physicians fight to avoid a proposed 5.1% payment cut under Medicare slated to take effect in January, it's unclear who will be leading the agency responsible for administering Medicare. Dr. Mark B. McClellan resigned as administrator of...

Lasers, fillers find new niche in post-combat injury healing.(News)
October 1, 2006... DALLAS -- Dermatologists may start to see the lingering scars of combat injuries among returning U.S. military personnel, Dr. Kurt L. Maggio said at the annual meeting of the National Medical Association. Many of the dermatologic conditions...

Gene engineering technique may halt melanoma.(News)
October 1, 2006... A new technique in the genetic engineering of lymphocytes produced a sustained, full regression of rapidly progressive metastatic melanoma in 2 of 17 treated patients, reported Dr. Richard A. Morgan and his associates at the National Cancer...

Plan B goes OTC for those aged 18 and over.(over the counter)(drug approvals)
October 1, 2006... The Food and Drug Administration has approved Plan B for over-the-counter sale to people aged 18 years and older. The approval reverses the agency's 2004 decision in which, in an unusual move, it went against its advisory panel's...

FDA warns three makers of compounded inhalation drugs.(News)
October 1, 2006... Three companies that have been compounding budesonide, albuterol, and other formulations of inhalation drugs have been warned by the Food and Drug Administration to stop manufacturing and distributing these products in the United States. ...

Isotretinoin use increases lipids, but not much else.(News)
October 1, 2006... In a study of real-world clinical practice, isotretinoin therapy frequently raised lipid levels, but transaminase abnormalities were much less common and almost always mild. Moreover, hematologic abnormalities were so rare that routine...

Beware Canadian prescription drug web sites selling counterfeit meds.(News)
October 1, 2006... Consumers should not buy or use prescription drugs obtained from certain Canadian Web sites allegedly selling counterfeit versions of Lipitor, Propecia, a breast cancer drug, and other prescription drugs, according to a warning issued by the...

FDA could ban OTC sales of skin lightening creams.(News)
October 1, 2006... The Food and Drug Administration is seeking comments on a proposal to ban over-the-counter sales of skin lightening creams that contain hydroquinone, citing the possibility that the ingredient may be carcinogenic. The agency is proposing...

Genetic forms of intravenous ciprofloxacin gain approval.(News)
October 1, 2006... Several generic versions of the intravenous formulation of the widely used fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, as part of what the agency says is its effort to make lower-cost generic drugs more...

Pardon my patent.(Guest Editorial)
October 1, 2006... How well do you know the Incyte Corp.? You really should get to know it, because it owns the commercial rights to the gene for one of your histamine receptors. What about the gene that controlled your spinal cord development? Harvard owns the...

All in the family.(hereditary diseases)
October 1, 2006... "But nobody in my family has it!" That's a common reaction patients have when told their condition is hereditary. Saying a disease is genetic gives the patient more than just a point of information. Heredity is one of the "Big Seven,"...

Intermittent griseofulvin effective in tinea capitis.(Clinical report)
October 1, 2006... MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- A weekly high-dose regimen of griseofulvin was as effective as a daily low-dose regimen in clearing tinea capitis in a randomized, single-blind study, Dr. Sandra Pather reported at the annual meeting of the British...

Atopiclair eases mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.(Dermatologic Therapy)(Clinical report)
October 1, 2006... MONTREAL -- Monotherapy with Atopiclair nonsteroidal cream quickly and effectively improves disease severity and itch in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, a multicenter study has shown. The study is the first double-blind,...

Anti-TNF adherence varies among patient groups.(Dermatologic Therapy)
October 1, 2006... AMSTERDAM -- One-year adherence to tumor necrosis factor--inhibitor therapy was significantly better among patients with ankylosing spondylitis than in those with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis in a large observational registry;,...

Cutaneous reaction reported with Adalimumab Tx.(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- For the first time, a patient being treated with adalimumab for rheumatoid arthritis has developed a subepidermal pustular eruption, wrote Dr. Preeti Athavale in a poster session at the annual meeting of the British...

Topical imiquimod, 5-FU useful as Mohs adjuncts.(Dermatologic Therapy)
October 1, 2006... MONTEREY, CALIF. -- Pretreatment with topical imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil appears to improve surgical results in both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, Dr. Abel Torres reported at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic...

Ginseng.(Cosmeceutical Critique)
October 1, 2006... Several varieties of ginseng have been used in traditional medicine across the globe, particularly in Asia and Native America, for thousands of years. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, long an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, and Panax...

Verteporfin, PDL treat port-wine stains.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2006... CARLSBAD, CALIF. -- Combining photodynamic therapy using the photosensitizer verteporfin with pulsed dye laser therapy may be a way to treat port-wine stains, preliminary results from an ongoing study suggest. The finding is important...

Curettage plus imiquimod: good results in BCC.(basal cell carcinoma)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... MONTEREY, CALIF. -- Curettage followed by imiquimod produces better results on basal cell carcinoma than do electrodesiccation and curettage or imiquimod alone, Dr. Abel Tortes reported at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic...

Establish boundaries with cosmetics patients.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2006... PORTLAND, ORE. -- Getting an early read on the personalities and motivations of cosmetic dermatology patients will help avoid negative outcomes, unfair refund requests, and, perhaps most importantly, patients with body dysmorphic disorder, said...

Patients report satisfaction, some pain with Fraxel.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2006... CARLSBAD, CALIF. -- The Fraxel laser is "not a panacea," but patients will see improvement, Dr. Elizabeth F. Rostan said at a symposium on laser and cosmetic surgery sponsored by SkinCare Physicians. "Patients can achieve significant...

Risk-benefit analysis urged before combining lasers.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2006... CARLSBAD, CALIF. -- Treating pigmented lesions by combining different lasers "is tempting, since the single-modality approach remains imperfect," Dr. Jerome M. Garden said at a symposium on laser and cosmetic surgery sponsored by SkinCare...

Anesthesia, suture advice top procedural pearls for defect closure.(Dermatologic Surgery)
October 1, 2006... MONTEREY, CALIF. -- Closing defects is one of the most challenging tasks in dermatologic surgery, but at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association, Dr. Michael J. Fazio shared several clinical pearls that make the job easier...

Limes, sun may lead to photoirritant dermatitis.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... WINNIPEG, MAN. -- Taking a good history sheds the most light on a diagnosis of photoirritant contact dermatitis, Dr. Vincent DeLeo said at the annual conference of the Canadian Dermatology Association. If you see an adult with...

Idiopathic photodermatosis is a Dx of exclusion.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... WINNIPEG, MAN. -- Teasing out a diagnosis of idiopathic photodermatosis means ruling out other problems, including porphyria, Dr. Vincent A. DeLeo said at the annual conference of the Canadian Dermatology Association. To screen for...

Allergy, infection may percolate under acrylic nails.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... PORTLAND, ORE. -- Cosmetic nails are here to stay, so dermatologists would do well to learn about the glittery accessories driving a $6.84 billion a year industry, Dr. Phoebe Rich said at the Pacific Northwest Dermatological annual scientific...

Suspect oral lichen planus? Be aware of imitators.
October 1, 2006... MONTEREY, CALIF. -- "Not everything that's white and red in the mouth is lichen planus," Francine Lozada-Nur, D.D.S., said at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association. Four types of oral lichenoid lesions can be considered...

Patch test data often useful in lichenoid contact stomatitis.
October 1, 2006... PORTLAND, ORE. -- Patch testing should precede the removal and replacement of dental metals for lichenoid contact stomatitis, even though it is not 100% accurate in identifying which patients will benefit from the expensive replacement...

Esophageal lichen planus often asymptomatic.
October 1, 2006... SAN DIEGO -- Lichen planus patients should be evaluated for gastrointestinal symptoms to rule out the possibility of esophageal involvement, a rare but severe complication that can lead to inflammatory stenosis, Dr. Lindy Fox said at the...

Supportive, systemic therapy key for TEN, SJS.(toxic epidermal necrolysis )(Stevens-Johnson syndrome)(Clinical report)
October 1, 2006... MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- Supportive measures remain the most important aspect of treatment for the potentially life-threatening conditions of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, once the likely causative agent has been both...

Shingles' fiscal and physical burden is steep.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... LISBON -- The annual cost burden of herpes zoster and its complications in the United States exceeds $680 million, Ronald R. White reported at the 12th International Congress on Infectious Diseases. He presented a new estimate of herpes...

Melanoma's location not predictive of outcome.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... CHICAGO -- Even though head and neck melanoma patients are older and have more sentinel nodes harvested, they do not appear to have poorer outcomes than do patients with other melanomas, Dr. Doreen Agnese said at the annual meeting of the...

Pretreatment depression takes toll in head and neck cancer.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... CHICAGO -- Depressive symptoms, smoking, and comorbidity are strong pretreatment predictors of poor quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer, Dr. Jeffrey Terrell and colleagues reported at the annual meeting of the American Head...

Prophylactic antidepressant buoys cancer patients' mood.(Clinical Rounds)(Clinical report)
October 1, 2006... CHICAGO -- Prophylactic citalopram prevents depressive symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer, results of a double-blind randomized trial demonstrate. The pilot study is the first depression prevention trial in head and neck cancer...

Pediatric CA-MRSA rates show rising incidence.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... ASPEN, COLO. -- In Dallas, by the time the infectious disease specialists found out they had a problem with community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, it already comprised one-third of staphylococcal infections, Dr. Sheldon...

Prevention may curb recurrent staph infections.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... ASPEN, COLO. -- Can patients with repeated Staphylococcus aureus infections be decolonized to prevent recurrences? The evidence supporting this approach is not very good. But, it is always worth a try, Dr. Sarah K. Parker said at a meeting...

Unusual mycosis fungoides case involves CNS.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- A 56-year-old man who had experienced a skin eruption 6 years earlier and received a diagnosis of early-stage mycosis fungoides, which has a good prognosis, was hospitalized following a car accident and episodes of...

First nonmelanoma Ca may flag risk.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... WINNIPEG, MAN. -- People who developed their first basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma had a higher risk of developing and dying of a second primary cancer, a retrospective study of 43,275 patients found. A first basal cell...

Multiple cancer Tx includes patient, physician factors.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... SAN DIEGO -- Factor in patient age, tumor history, and your own comfort level to find the most efficient way to treat patients with multiple synchronous nonmelanoma skin cancers, Dr. Christopher J. Miller said at the American Academy of...

Famvir, Humira.(New & Approved)
October 1, 2006... Famvir (famciclovir, Novartis) An antiviral approved as a single-day treatment for recurrent genital herpes and as a single-dose treatment for recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent adults. Previously approved for...

Systemic antifungals miss root of chronic paronychia.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... WINNIPEG, MANITOBA -- Chronic paronychia is a variety of contact dermatitis that affects the proximal nail fold, so treating it with systemic antifungals is not useful, Dr. Antonella Tosti said at the annual conference of the Canadian...

Long-term follow-up of surgical patients extolled.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... NEW YORK -- Seemingly minor types of skin diseases can run the spectrum from a local disease to widespread cancer with life-threatening consequences. "Long-term follow-up of patients is essential for understanding the true nature of...

Merkel cell carcinoma patients at high risk for other tumors.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- Patients with Merkel cell carcinoma are at high risk for multiple malignancies and should be closely examined at the time of diagnosis for other possible tumors, Dr. Julia K. Gass said at the annual meeting of the British...

Routine histology helps to detect amelanotic melanoma.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... NEW YORK -- The diagnosis of truly amelanotic melanoma is rarely suspected by dermatologists inasmuch as the clinical appearance, because of faintness of pigmentation, doesn't fit neatly into the categories by which most melanomas are...

Unexplained GI fungal infections seen in Arizona.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... LAS VEGAS -- A mycologic mystery has been brewing in the desert Southwest of the United States. During the past dozen years, there have been 16 cases of gastrointestinal infection with Basidiobolus ranarum, a filamentous fungus previously...

Uncommon Leishmania lesion seen in HIV-Positive Patient.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- A 37-year-old man with a 3-month history of a nonhealing ulcer on his lower left leg is representative of the potential for unusual leishmaniasis manifestations in HIV-positive patients, Dr. Kate A. Short said at the...

Rituximab aids refractory; complicated Wegener's.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... GLASGOW, SCOTLAND -- Rituximab may offer therapeutic promise in difficult-to-treat, severe Wegener's granulomatosis when other treatments are contraindicated or unsuccessful, Dr. Chloe J. Lapraik reported at the annual meeting of the British...

Improved midterm survival seen in lupus patients.(Clinical Rounds)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... AMSTERDAM -- Short- and midterm survival among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus has improved markedly over the last 3 decades, but survival at 15 years and beyond remains poor, especially in patients with severe disease, Dr. Andrea...

Long-term data support low-dose Lupus Tx.(Clinical Rounds)
October 1, 2006... AMSTERDAM -- A European-style low-dose intravenous cydophosphamide regimen achieves long-term outcomes similar to the high-dose regimen popularized in National Institutes of Health-sponsored trials for the treatment of proliferative lupus...

AAD: iPledge not working.(Policy & Practice)
October 1, 2006... The vast majority of dermatologists are dissatisfied with the iPledge program governing prescription isotretinoin, according to a survey by the American Academy of Dermatology. Ninety percent of the 400 dermatologists who participated in the...

Parents can influence sun safety.(Policy & Practice)
October 1, 2006... Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have determined that children have better sun safety habits when "the quality of the parent-child relationship is high, the child exhibits high levels of compliance, and there are low levels of...

Wound healing grants from NIH.(Policy & Practice)
October 1, 2006... The National Institute of Health's National Institute of General Medical Sciences is offering $13 million over the next 4 years to establish four centers that will develop wound therapies. According to the NIGMS, the goal is to bring together...

U.S. cancer deaths decrease.(Policy & Practice)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... The rate of new cancers was stable from 1992 to 2003, but deaths from malignancies continued to decline, according to the "Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer" in the Oct. 15 issue of Cancer, published online in September. The...

NDC directory incomplete, says IG.(Policy & Practice)
October 1, 2006... The Food and Drug Administration's National Drug Code Directory is incomplete and inaccurate, largely due to drug companies' failure to submit required data, according to a report from the Health and Human Services Department's Office of...

What Is Your Practice Worth?(Managing Your Dermatology Practice)
October 1, 2006... At least once during your career, you will probably have to put a value on your practice. The need arises more often than you might think--if you sell it, of course; but also for estate planning, preparation of financial statements, and,...

Going to court? Preparation and records are key.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2006... Boca RATON, FLA. -- Medical malpractice suits are common, and many physicians are unaware of the procedures and protocols involved in building a strong defense, Cliff Rapp said at the annual meeting of the Florida Society for Dermatology and...

Postmarketing studies can be entree to research.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2006... DALLAS -- Becoming an investigator for a phase IV postmarketing study can be a good starting place for dermatologists interested in clinical research, Dr. Fran E. Cook-Bolden told attendees at the annual meeting of the National Medical...

Subspecialists are urged to vaccinate adult patients.(Practice Trends)
October 1, 2006... WASHINGTON -- Specialists who treat adults should be encouraged to give preventive vaccines to their patients, Dr. William Schaffner said at a press briefing sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. "A lot of adults...

Diagnosis: gout.(Case of the Month)(Brief article)
October 1, 2006... WINNIPEG, MAN. -- The clinicians wondered whether this patient had rheumatic nodules, gout, or some other disease process. The rheumatologist suggested that blood tests, x-rays, an MRI, and a number of other tests would be needed to...

Fraxel laser family expanded.(Products)
October 1, 2006... The Fraxel SR1500 laser provides nonablative treatment of conditions ranging from mild sun damage to severe acne scarring. With its new Optical Zoom hand control syistem, physicians can penetrate up to 1.0 mm below the skin surface with precise...

Spa-style skin brush.(Products)
October 1, 2006... The Clarisonic skin care brush cleanses the skin when its sonic oscillating capabilities are used with any nonabrasive facial cleanser. The brush is safe for daily use with most skin types and provides deep cleansing without overdrying the...

Energizing skin care kit for travelers.(Products)
October 1, 2006... A portable skin care kit includes a gentle cream cleanser for everyday use, an exfoliating cleanser, a mineral mist toner with hydrating enzymes and minerals, and a moisturizing day lotion. The products can be used individually or in...

Moisturizing cleansing cream.(Products)
October 1, 2006... Nia 24 Gentle Cleansing Cream containing pro-niacin and sodium hyaluronate has been developed to cleanse skin, reduce wrinkles, and decrease hyperpigmentation. Suggested retail price is $30.00 for 5 ounces. The Nia 24 skin care line also...

Eye Serum reduces dark circles.(Products)
October 1, 2006... The Intensive Eye Lightening Serum from Replenix combines peptides, chelators, antioxidants, and moisturizers to target the delicate eye area. The product is part of a line of green tea-based products designed to reduce the appearance of dark...

Brush-free hand sanitizer.(Products)
October 1, 2006... The Surgicept waterless, brush-free hand sanitizer and moisturizer is quick drying to reduce sticky buildup and keep hands from sliding around inside gloves. The alcohol-based rub is easy to apply. For more information, contact Healthpoint Ltd....

Safety syringe prevents needlesticks.(Products)
October 1, 2006... The SharpShield safety syringe features a form-fitted sheath that slides over the needle point after the dose of medication is administered and before the needle is removed from the patient. The design allows single-hand injection and prevents...

Gel soothes laser-treated skin.(Products)
October 1, 2006... Avene Thermal Spring Water Gel cools the skin after laser procedures. The product can be applied immediately after a laser treatment, left on for 15 minutes, and reapplied up to six times daily. For more information, contact Avene by visiting...