Journal of Drugs in Dermatology articles from November 2005

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology archives from November 2005

A letter from the Editor-in-Chief.(Editorial)
November 1, 2005... In this issue, I would like to introduce a new term, "resident power." What does it mean and how is it defined? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a recent conversation with a colleague, he mentioned that a young physician who had recently...

Evidence based or theoretical concern? Pseudotumor cerebri and depression as acitretin side effects.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Oral retinoids are among the first line agents for treatment of pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis, and they are effective in combination with phototherapy and other topical and systemic agents for the treatment of plaque...

Factors affecting prescription of ultra-high potency topical corticosteroids in skin disease: an analysis of US national practice data.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Of the topical preparations available, the ultra-high potency corticosteroids have an important role in treating psoriasis. However, the use of these agents in many other conditions and patient populations may not be appropriate....

Imiquimod as an antiangiogenic agent.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Imiquimod (imidazoquinoline 5%) is a topical immune response modifier agent that inhibits angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels. In addition to its stimulation of cell-mediated immunity, imiquimod's antiangiogenic activity...

Safety and efficacy of alefacept in elderly patients and other special populations.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Background: The safety of biologic agents for psoriasis treatment is of particular importance in patient groups at higher risk for adverse events. We assessed the safety and efficacy of alefacept in elderly, obese, and diabetic...

Cumulative irritation potential of metronidazole gel compared to azelaic acid gel after repeated applications to healthy skin.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Background: Metronidazole 0.75% gel and azelaic acid 15% gel are commonly used to treat rosacea. Irritation is a common side effect. Objective: To assess the cumulative irritation potential of metronidazole 0.75% gel and...

Puerto Rico psoriasis study group: efficacy and safety of etanercept.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Background: Although major advances in the understanding of its pathogenesis have been achieved, psoriasis remains an incurable disease. In April 2004, etanercept, an antagonist of TNF-[alpha], was approved by the Food and Drug...

Cystic acne improved by photodynamic therapy with short-contact 5-aminolevulinic acid and sequential combination of intense pulsed light and blue light activation.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2005... Abstract Photodynamic therapy with short-contact 5-aminolevulinic acid (Levulan[R] Kerastick[R], Dusa Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) and activation by intense pulsed light in an initial treatment and blue light in 3 subsequent treatments has...

Bullous pemphigoid following therapy with an oral beta-blocker.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2005... Abstract A causal relationship is thought to exist between several medications and the development of bullous pemphigoid. Commonly implicated medications include furosemide, penicillins, and ibuprofen. The following is a case report of an...

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans following tanning bed use.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2005... Abstract Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, slowly growing, malignant dermal tumor first described by Darier and Ferrand in 1924. (1) It typically occurs in individuals aged 20 to 40 years and frequently arises on the trunk....

Tolerance to calcitriol and tacalcitol in three patients with allergic contact dermatitis to calcipotriol.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2005... Abstract We describe 3 cases of psoriatic patients who developed a severe eczematous eruption after the use of calcipotriol ointment. For all of them, the dermatitis recovered after the suspension of the calcipotriol ointment and topical...

Treatment of erythematotelangiectactic rosacea with a KTP YAG laser.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2005... Abstract The flushing and telangiectasias associated with rosacea are notoriously difficult to treat with standard medications. Newer technologies, namely medical lasers and light sources, have made it possible to control and improve...

Orlando Dermatology & Aesthetic Conference.
November 1, 2005... HYATT REGENCY GRAND CYPRESS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ORLANDO, FL JANUARY 13-16, 2006 www.orlandoderm.org Join your colleagues from over 150 private practices and 97% of US medical centers for a three-day intensive learning...

Trichophyton tonsurans associated tinea corporis infection with the development of Majocchi's granuloma in a renal transplant patient.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2005... Abstract Trichophyton tonsurans is an uncommon cause of tinea corporis, and an even more uncommon cause of Majocchi's granuloma. We report a patient who developed tinea corporis with Majocchi's granuloma from T. tonsurans infection....

Q-switched Alexandrite laser-assisted treatment of melasma: 2-year follow-up monitoring.(CASE REPORTS)
November 1, 2005... Abstract Melasma is a common disorder of hyperpigmentation involving sun exposed face and neck areas. Three clinical patterns of melasma are recognized: the centrofacial, the malar, and the mandibular ones. Several factors have been...

Low-dose dapsone in chronic idiopathic urticaria: preliminary results of an open study.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2005... Low-Dose Dapsone in Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria: Preliminary Results of an Open Study Cassano N, et al. Acta Derm Venereol. 2005;85(3):254-255. Summary The authors present an open-label study to determine the efficacy of dapsone...

Open-label pilot study of alitretinoin gel 0.1% in the treatment of photoaging.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2005... Open-Label Pilot Study of Alitretinoin Gel 0.1% in the Treatment of Photoaging Baumann L, MD, et al. Cutis. 2005;76:69-73. Summary The authors present an open-label pilot study to assess both the safety and efficacy of...

Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) in the treatment of pemphigus.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2005... Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody (Rituximab) in the Treatment of Pemphigus Arin MJ, et al. Br J Dermatol. 2005;153:620-625. Summary The authors present a series of 5 patients with recalcitrant pemphigus, treated with anti-CD20...

The efficacy and safety of adapalene gel 0.3% in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, multicenter, investigator-blinded, controlled comparison study versus adapalene gel 0.1% and vehicle.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2005... The Efficacy and Safety of Adapalene Gel 0.3% in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Randomized, Multicenter, Investigator-Blinded, Controlled Comparison Study Versus Adapalene Gel 0.1% and Vehicle Pariser DM, et al. Cutis. 2005;76:145-151....

A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study of levamisole in the treatment of limited and slowly spreading vitiligo.(WASHINGTON WHISPERS)
November 1, 2005... A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Study of Levamisole in the Treatment of Limited and Slowly Spreading Vitiligo Agarwal S, et al. Br J Dermatol. 2005;153:163-166. Summary The authors present a randomized, double-blind,...

FDA approves generic Ultravate.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... The FDA recently approved Taro Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., New Drug Application for halobetasol propionate cream 0.05%, a generic formulation of the Bristol-Myers Squibb drug Ultravate cream. Taro currently also produces this...

CollaGenex files New Drug Application for Oracea.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., recently filed a New Drug Application with the FDA for Oracea, doxycycline 40 mg, modified release, developed to treat rosacea. The New Drug Application was based on the positive outcomes of two Phase 3,...

Generic Allegra 60 mg gains FDA approval.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., recently received FDA approval to market a generic version of Allegra 60 mg. The company initially filed an application with the FDA in 2001, which lead to Aventis Pharmaceuticals initiating a lawsuit, citing patent...

Aczone approved for acne.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... The FDA recently approved Aczone, a 5% topical dapsone gel, for the treatment of acne. The approval was based on phase III trials which demonstrated significant reductions in both inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions in the 330...

COL-3 demonstrates promising results for treating rosacea.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... Collagenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced promising results from a Phase 2 proof of concept clinical trial testing COL-3 as a treatment for rosacea. The study was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial which included 14 patients with a...

Phase I study of Staphylococcus aureus Type 336 vaccine.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... Nabi Biopharmaceuticals announced the start of a Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immune response of their Staphylococcus aureus Type 336 vaccine in healthy volunteers. The Phase I study is a double-blind placebo-controlled...

ABthrax Phase I clinical trial promising.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... Human Genome Sciences announced that ABthrax, their fully human monoclonal antibody to Bacillus anthracis protective antigen demonstrated safety, tolerability, and necessary blood levels as predicted by animal models to provide protection...

MediGene announces Phase 2 trial results of Polyphenon E for treatment of actinic keratosis.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... MediGene recently announced promising results of a Phase 2 trial of Polyphenon E for the treatment of actinic keratosis. Polyphenon E ointment is a defined extract from green tea leaves which has already shown efficacy in the treatment of...

Early topical nail fungus treatment promising.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... NexMed, Inc., announced that an early study demonstrated that its experimental NM100060 topical nail fungus treatment was less detectable in the bloodstream compared to oral terbinafine, thus potentially making it safer for the treatment of...

FDA approves iPLEDGE for isotretinoin.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... The FDA recently approved iPLEDGE, the new risk management program developed to decrease pregnancy and subsequent fetal exposure in women taking isotretinoin for recalcitrant nodular acne. This new program will replace current risk management...

Generic Locoid approved by FDA.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... The FDA recently gave Taro Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd., approval to market a generic version of Ferndale Laboratories' Locoid cream. Taro currently markets generic Locoid ointment for which they received FDA approval for in December 2004.

Synera topical anesthesia approved by FDA.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... The FDA recently approved Zars, Inc.'s Synera, a lidocaine-tetracaine 70-mg/70-mg topical patch to provide local dermal anesthesia for superficial venous access and minor dermatologic procedures such as shave biopsies and electrodessication....

Avelox IV approved for complicated skin and skin structure infections.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... The FDA recently approved Bayer's Avelox (moxifloxacin HCI) IV for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections secondary to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or...

Metronidazole 1% Topical Gel approved for rosacea.(PIPELINE PREVIEWS)
November 1, 2005... The FDA approved Galderma Laboratories' MetroGel Topical Gel 1% for the treatment of rosacea. This new gel not only includes a higher strength of metronidazole but also has a new vehicle which incorporates HSA-3, a combination of niacinamide,...

Schools of Pharmacology.
November 1, 2005... Schools in Pharmacology is a new feature in that will appear periodically. It will explicate the dermatologic uses and side effects of new medications and devices. It follows medications mentioned in the Pipeline Previews into their approval...

Study to determine the safety of two applications of PEP005 topical gel to nodular basal cell carcinoma.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Peplin. The purpose of this study is to determine whether topical application of PEP005 is safe for the treatment of nodular basal cell carcinoma. Condition Intervention...

Imatinib in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP).(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group. The purpose of this study is to determine whether imatinib is effective in the treatment of primary and recurrent dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans...

Hydroxychloroquine vs. clobetasol rinse to treat oral lichen planus.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). This study will compare 2 treatments for oral lichen planus: hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) tablets and clobetasol oral...

Study to determine the safety of two applications of PEP005 topical gel to superficial basal cell carcinoma.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Information provided by Peplin. The purpose of this study is to determine whether topical application of PEP005 is safe for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma. Condition ...

Efficacy of Elidel cream on erosive oral lichen planus.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by University Hospital Tuebingen. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether topical applied pimecrolimus will lead to improvement of erosive oral lichen planus. This effect will...

Five-year safety study of pimecrolimus cream 1% in infants 3 to less than 12 months of age with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Novartis. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the safety of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the long-term treatment (up to 5 years) of atopic dermatitis (eczema) in patients...

Temozolomide vs. dacarbazine in stage IV metastatic melanoma.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsors and Collaborators. Schering-Plough European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. The purpose of this study is to ascertain if the extended schedule of Temozolomide, which...

Pimecrolimus Cream 1% plus topical corticosteroid in patients (2-17 years of age) with severe atopic dermatitis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Novartis. Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, is characterized by redness, papulation (skin elevation), and pruritus (skin itching). The active ingredient of pimecrolimus inhibits the...

Topical NF-kappa B Decoy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Corgentech. The purpose of this study is to determine whether this topical NF-kappa B Decoy candidate is safe in persons with atopic dermatitis. Preliminary evidence of efficacy (whether...

To study the effects of CD25 and low dose Cyclosporin in the treatment of active psoriasis vulgaris.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsors and Collaborators: Rockefeller University Protein Design Labs. This study compares the efficacy and analyzes the cellular effects of anti-TAC (Daclizumab) and Cyclosporine in the treatment...

To study the use of humanized CD25 in preventing the relapse of psoriasis vulgaris.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsors and Collaborators: Rockefeller University Protein Design Labs. This study is designed to study disease relapse after NBUVB and how the administration of Daclizumab/placebo alters disease...

Utilization of narrow band ultraviolet B (UVB) light therapy and etanercept for the treatment of psoriasis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Amgen. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of combination therapy with etanercept and narrow-band (NB) UVB phototherapy for the treatment of psoriasis...

A study of the use of methotrexate in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsors and Collaborators: Barnsley Hospital. There are no other funding sources. The purpose of this study is to determine whether methotrexate produces significant improvement in chronic...

Study of ONTAK (denileukin diftitox) in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Ligand Pharmaceuticals. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of 2 dose levels of ONTAK (denileukin diftitox) in treating patients who have recurrent or persistent...

Study of ONTAK (denileukin diftitox) in previously treated Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma patients.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Ligand Pharmaceuticals. The purpose of this study is to provide an opportunity for patients who exhibit progressive disease while receiving placebo on the companion 93-04-11 study to...

Etanercept for treatment of hidradenitis.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by University of Pennsylvania. This study is being done to test a drug called etanercept (Enbrel). Etanercept has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the...

Survivin peptide vaccination for patients with advanced melanoma, pancreatic, colon and cervical cancer.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Julius-Maximilians University. This study evaluates the safety, the immunological response, and the clinical outcome of a vaccination with survivin peptides for patients with advanced...

The effect of Efudex treatment on photoaged skin.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsors and Collaborators: University of Michigan. The researchers propose that skin improvements may be seen following a course of Efudex, (5-fluorouracil), a FDA-approved topical therapy (applied...

Open-label assessment of the efficacy & safety of efalizumab in the treatment of mod-severe hidradenitis suppurativa.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsors and Collaborators: New York University School of Medicine Genentech. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of efalizumab in treating hidradenitis...

Bioengineered skin and wound healing.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 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,...

Elidel-study.(CLINICAL TRIAL REVIEW)
November 1, 2005... This study is currently recruiting patients. Sponsored by Dresden University of Technology. Atopic dermatitis is a common disease. Emollients and Elidel have both shown to be effective in treating this disease. The research question is whether...

Nodular melanoma: how current approaches to early detection are failing.(SKIN CANCER FOUNDATION UPDATE)
November 1, 2005... Early detection and removal, before melanoma has seeded viable metastases, remain our most important weapons against melanoma mortality. Great advances have been made in early diagnosis by focusing on clinical presentations of radial growth...

Introduction.
November 1, 2005... The most common skin and skin structure infections (SSSIs) seen by dermatologists are cellulitis, impetigo, and folliculitis. Without prompt antibiotic treatment, these types of infection can lead to skin and skin structure destruction and...

Importance of understanding pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic principles in the emergence of resistances, including community-associated Staphylococcus aureus.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Pharmacologic parameters have been defined to predict efficacy in antimicrobial selection for the treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (uSSSIs). Pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) are the...

Update on treating uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Dermatologists treat a variety of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (uSSSIs) such as folliculitis, impetigo, erysipelas, cellulitis, furuncles, carbuncles, and non-perirectal abscesses. Most uSSSIs are caused by...

Optimal antibacterial treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections: applying a novel treatment algorithm.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Incision and drainage combined with antibiotic therapies form the backbone of managing uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (uSSSIs). An algorithm has been developed to guide the treatment of uSSSIs in the primary care...

Prophylaxis for and treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections in laser and cosmetic surgery.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Complications of laser resurfacing include infections, scarring, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and delayed healing. Postoperative infections cause pain, prolonged healing, and can result in scarring. Ablative laser...

Treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections in the diabetic patient.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Diabetic neuropathy can lead to the development of ulcers on the lower extremities. Prompt treatment lowers the likelihood of infection and reduces the probability that an established infection will lead to amputation. Antibiotics...

Treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin infections in the pediatric and adolescent patient populations.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Before 1980, superficial pyodermas in the US were caused primarily by streptococci. Studies conducted in Miami show that during the early 1980s, the predominant pathogen associated with impetigo in pediatric patients shifted from...

Perioperative use of antibiotics: preventing and treating perioperative infections.
November 1, 2005... Abstract Prevention of postoperative wound infection in dermatologic surgery and appropriate use of antibiotics to prevent endocarditis and joint-replacement infections are controversial issues. Dermatologists often may misunderstand the...