Journal of Drugs in Dermatology articles from March 2005

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology archives from March 2005

A letter from the Editor-in-Chief.
March 1, 2005... As the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD) begins its fourth year we are enjoying an increase in readership and in quality manuscript submissions. Due to the large amount of submissions we have been receiving, we are including more articles...

Orlando Dermatology and Cosmetic Conference.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... There are few opportunities to gather large groups of dermatologists from around the world for an educational conference. The second annual Orlando Dermatology and Cosmetic Conference afforded such an opportunity for residents and practicing...

Skin bleaching products in Africa.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... Consumers in the developed world enjoy the benefits of stringent legislation governing the production and sale of over-the-counter cosmoceuticals and skin care products. Such legislation in Africa would have spared our people from the dangers...

Dioxin toxicity and chloracne in the Ukraine.
March 1, 2005... Abstract Dioxin toxicity can lead to severe cutaneous and systemic disease. The poisoning of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko dramatically illustrates the damage dioxin can inflict. The hallmark of dioxin toxicity is chloracne and...

Tazarotene cream versus adapalene cream in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study.
March 1, 2005... Abstract A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group trial compared tazarotene 0.1% cream with adapalene 0.1% cream, once daily for 12 weeks, in 173 patients with facial acne vulgaris. Tazarotene was associated with a...

Treatment of actinic keratoses with sequential combination of 5-fluorouracil and photodynamic therapy.
March 1, 2005... Abstract Actinic keratoses (AKs) are traditionally treated with cryotherapy, curettage, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, Efudex[R], ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), all of which are associated with adverse effects. Although photodynamic therapy (PDT)...

Clinical experience results with clindamycin 1% benzoyl peroxide 5% gel (Duac[R]) as monotherapy and in combination.
March 1, 2005... Abstract This article will examine various clinical experiences with acne patients successfully treated with topical clindamycin 1% benzoyl peroxide 5% gel (Duac[R]) alone and in combination with other acne treatments. Clindamycin 1%...

Prescribing patterns for topical retinoids within NAMCS data.
March 1, 2005... Abstract Objective: Fears of potentially costly use of topical retinoids for cosmetic treatment of photodamaged skin have resulted in many managed care organizations placing prior authorization requirements on this class of medications....

Enhanced full-face skin rejuvenation using synchronous intense pulsed optical and conducted bipolar radiofrequency energy (ELOS): introducing selective radiophotothermolysis.
March 1, 2005... Abstract Background: The authors previously reported their experience achieving non-ablative skin enhancement with serial, full-face, intense pulsed light treatments in a large series of patients. A new method for skin renewal...

Review of cyclosporine immunosuppressive safety data in dermatology patients after two decades of use.
March 1, 2005... Abstract Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive agent that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis. However, its serious side effects in transplant patients have hindered many dermatologists from exploiting its...

Colchicine for dermatologic diseases.
March 1, 2005... Abstract The authors review all aspects related to colchicine from its pharmacology to its usage in several skin diseases. ********** Introduction Colchicine has been prescribed in dermatology for many diseases with good...

Drugs used in the treatment of pediculosis.
March 1, 2005... Abstract Pediculosis is the result of infestation by one of two families of sucking lice. The Pediculidae include the agents of head and body lice. Public lice belong to the family Pthiridae. Pediculus humanus capitis (the head louse) and...

Ten commandments for minimal pain during administration of local anesthetics.
March 1, 2005... Abstract Local anesthetic agents are administered before many ambulatory cutaneous operations. The injection of the local anesthetic agent is often the only painful aspect of the procedure. There are various factors that determine how...

Acute generalized lichen planus treated with weekly betamethasone 5-mg oral mini-pulse therapy.(CASE REPORTS)
March 1, 2005... Abstract A 54-year-old male presented with a sudden generalized eruption of itchy violaceous papules, annular plaques, superficial vesicles, and erosions involving his trunk, limbs, oral cavity, and genitalia. The biopsy showed features of...

Psoriasis exacerbated by interferon-alpha in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia.(CASE REPORTS)
March 1, 2005... Abstract Interferon-alpha can exacerbate existing psoriasis and induce de novo psoriasis and psoriatic arthritits. The exact underlying mechanism is not very well understood. It is not a contraindication to treat patients with pre-existing...

Co-existence of lichen planus and sarcoidosis.(CASE REPORTS)
March 1, 2005... Abstract We present a 53-year-old patient with respiratory sarcoidosis who subsequently developed cutaneous lichen planus (LP). Biopsy of the skin lesions showed typical LP with no evidence of sarcoid granulomas. To the best of our...

Rhabdomyolysis associated with quinacrine therapy in a patient with chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus.(CASE REPORTS)
March 1, 2005... Abstract We describe a patient who developed rhabdomyolysis 6 weeks after starting combination therapy with hydroxychloroquine and quinacrine for the treatment of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE). Myopathy due to...

Tazarotene cream (0.1%) in combination with betamethasone valerate foam (0.12%) for plaque-type psoriasis.(CASE REPORTS)
March 1, 2005... Abstract A combination of multiple agents is often required to achieve treatment success for plaque-type psoriasis. We report a case series of 10 patients that were treated with betamethasone valerate foam (0.12%) in the morning and...

Scrotal ulceration as a consequence of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia.(CASE REPORTS)
March 1, 2005... Abstract Induction therapy with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), an oral vitamin A derivative, has been shown to improve the short and long-term outcome of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML). Common side effects include...

Focus on: biologics that affect therapeutic agents in dermatology.
March 1, 2005... Abstract Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[alpha] is one of the oldest known cytokines in human physiology. It is involved in both normal and pathologic states. Virtually every cell and organ in the body are affected by TNF-[alpha]. (1) Though...

Histological effects of tazarotene 0.1% cream vs. vehicle on photodamaged skin: a 6-month, multicentre, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study in patients with photodamaged facial skin.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
March 1, 2005... Histological Effects of Tazarotene 0.1% Cream vs. Vehicle on Photodamaged Skin: A 6-Month, Multicentre, Double-Blind, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Study in Patients with Photodamaged Facial Skin Machtiner LA, Kaidbey K, Lim J, et al....

Pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of intertriginous psoriasis: a double-blind, randomized study.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
March 1, 2005... Pimecrolimus Cream 1% in the Treatment of Intertriginous Psoriasis: A Double-Blind, Randomized Study Gribetz C, MD, Ling M, MD, PhD, Lebwohl M, MD, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51:731-8. Summary The authors present an 8-week,...

Costs of treatment in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: economic analysis in a randomized controlled comparison of methotrexate and cyclosporine.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
March 1, 2005... Costs of Treatment in Patients with Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis: Economic Analysis in a Randomized Controlled Comparison of Methotrexate and Cyclosporine Opmeer BC, PhD, Heydendael VMR, MD, de Borgie CAJM, PhD, et al. Arch...

Oral alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid) therapy for chronic hand dermatitis in patients refractory to standard therapy.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
March 1, 2005... Oral Alitretinoin (9-cis-Retinoic Acid) Therapy for Chronic Hand Dermatitis in Patients Refractory to Standard Therapy Ruzicka T, MD, Larsen FG, MD, PhD, Galewicz D, MD, et al. Arch Dermatol. 2004;140(12):1453-1459. Summary The...

Tretinoin treatment before carbon dioxide laser resurfacing: a clinical and biochemical analysis.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
March 1, 2005... Tretinoin Treatment before Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing: A Clinical and Biochemical Analysis Orringer JS, MD, Kang S, MD, Johnson TM, MD, et al. J Amer Acad Dermatol. 2004;51:940-6. Summary The authors present a prospective,...

Highly purified 1000-cSt silicone oil for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-associated facial lipoatrophy: an open pilot trial.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
March 1, 2005... Highly Purified 1000-cSt Silicone Oil for Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Facial Lipoatrophy: An Open Pilot Trial. Jones DH, MD, Carruthers A, MD, Orentreich D, MD, et al. Dermatol Surg. 2004;30:1279-1286. Summary...

GentleWaves LED gains FDA approval.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
March 1, 2005... Light BioScience announced approval by the FDA for its GentleWaves Light Emitting Diode (LED) Photomodulation System for the non-invasive treatment of periorbital rhytids. GentleWaves is the first LED device to receive marketing approval for a...

Barrier Therapeutics, Inc., announces Phase III results for Sebazole gel.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
March 1, 2005... Barrier Therapeutics, Inc., announced positive results from its confirmatory Phase III clinical trial of Sebazole gel for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. Sebazole is a waterless 2% ketoconazole gel with once daily dosing. The company...

Voriconazole (VFEND[R]) for Candida Blood, deep tissue, and other infections.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
March 1, 2005... The FDA has approved new indications for voriconazole injection, tablets, and oral suspension (VFEND, made by Pfizer, Inc.), expanding its use in the treatment of candidemia and candidal infections in non-neutropenic patients including...

First-time generic formulations approved for Ultravate[R], Elocon[R], Locoid[R], and Loprox[R].(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
March 1, 2005... The FDA has approved first-time generic formulations for halobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment and cream (made by Taro Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Altana, Inc., and Agis Industries, Ltd). The product was previously marketed only under the brand...

Remicade[R] associated with risks of hepatotoxicity and pneumonia.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
March 1, 2005... The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centocor have warned healthcare professionals via letter regarding risks of hepatotoxicity and pneumonia associated with the use of infliximab (Remicade). Infliximab is a therapeutic biological...

RFID surgical marker (SurgiChip Tag) minimizes errors of patient, site, and procedure.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
March 1, 2005... An external surgical tag system (SurgiChip Tag Marker, made by SurgiChip, Inc.) has been approved by the FDA for use in minimizing the incidence of medical errors associated with surgical procedures. The system uses radiofrequency...

Self-anchoring suture (Contour Thread) for nonsurgical mid-face lifts and wound closure of dermal tissue.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
March 1, 2005... Quill Medical, Inc., and Surgical Specialties Corp. recently obtained clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Contour Thread[TM], a self-anchoring barbed suture for use in elevating mid-face tissues and for wound closure of...

New TB blood test (QuantiFERON-TB GOLD) more accurate than tuberculin skin test.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
March 1, 2005... The FDA approved a novel diagnostic test (QuantiFERON-TB GOLD, made by Cellestis, Inc.) for tuberculosis (TB). The blood test detects the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection by measuring interferon-gamma (IFN-G) harvested in...

Palifermin (Kepivance[TM]) reduces incidence and duration of severe mucositis.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
March 1, 2005... The FDA approved palifermin (Kepivance, made by Amgen, Inc.) for the treatment of severe oral mucositis in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing chemotherapy with or without radiation. It is the first drug to be FDA-approved for...

Photodynamic therapy in treating patients with skin cancer or solid tumors metastatic to the skin.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Ireland Cancer Center. Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in treating patients who have either squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma of the skin or solid...

Bioengineered skin and wound healing.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). This study will look at whether a graft of bioengineered skin (BSC), known commercially as Apligraf,...

Photodynamic therapy in treating patients with skin cancer.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Randomized phase II trial to study the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy that includes aminolevulinic acid in treating patients with skin cancer. ...

Linezolid in the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue due to methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Pfizer. This is a Phase IV randomized, multi-center, open-label trial to compare the clinical safety and efficacy of linezolid to vancomycin in the treatment of complicated skin and soft...

Photodynamic therapy in treating patients with skin cancer.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Randomized phase II trial to study the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in treating patients with skin cancer. Condition Treatment or...

Infliximab (Remicade[R]) to treat dermatomyositis and polymyositis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). This study will examine whether infliximab (Remicade[R]) is safe and effective for the treatment of...

Study the effects of CD25 and low dose cyclosporin in the treatment of active psoriasis vulgaris.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Protein Design Labs. This study compares the efficacy and analyzes the cellular effects of anti-TAC (daclizumab) and cyclosporine in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. This is a...

Study the use of humanized CD25 in preventing the relapse of psoriasis vulgaris.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Protein Design Labs. This study is designed to study disease relapse after NBUVB and how the administration of daclizumab/placebo alters disease relapse. Condition Treatment or...

Bevacizumab to treat Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI). This study will examine the safety and effectiveness of the effectiveness drug bevacizumab for treating both non-AIDS and AIDS-associated Kaposi's...

Phase II trial using infliximab in subjects with giant cell arteritis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Centocor Cleveland Clinic Foundation Hospital and International Network for the Study of Systemic Vasculitides. Phase II clinical trial looking for newly diagnosed subjects with giant...

Etanercept (Enbrel[R]) in psoriasis pediatrics.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Amgen. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of etanercept (Enbrel[R]) in children with psoriasis. This is a Phase III blinded, placebo-controlled study. Condition...

Onercept in the treatment and re-treatment of subjects with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Serono. The primary objective is to assess the safety and efficacy of an initial 12-week treatment course with onercept 150 mg 3 times a week (TIW) for the induction of remission in...

Therapy of hypereosinophilic syndrome, polycythemia vera, atypical CML or CMML with PDGF-R fusion genes, or mastocytosis with Gleevec.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The goal of this clinical research study is to see if Gleevec[R], known as imatinib mesylate (ST1571), can improve the disease condition in patients with...

Comparison of telavancin and vancomycin for complicated skin and skin structure infections with a focus on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Theravance. Study 0017 compares the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug, telavancin, and an approved drug, vancomycin, for the treatment of complicated skin and skin...

Celecoxib in preventing skin cancer.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. Randomized phase II trial to study the effectiveness of celecoxib in preventing skin cancer in participants exposed to ultraviolet light. ...

ZD1839 (Iressa) for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Patients will receive 250 mg ZD1839 daily by mouth (1 course = 4 weeks). Patients will receive 6 courses of treatment. A patient may continue to receive...

Topical imiquimod compared with surgery in treating patients with basal cell skin cancer.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
March 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Cancer Research UK. Randomized Phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of topical imiquimod with that of surgery in treating patients who have basal cell skin cancer. ...

Nonmelanomas: 25 years of change.(SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION UPDATE)
March 1, 2005... Over the past 25 years, the field of skin cancer has undergone numerous changes. The number of skin cancers has increased at a rate of 5% a year. Perhaps the depletion of the ozone layer plays a role; perhaps the increased popularity of sun...