Emerging drugs for the treatment of acne: a review of phase 2 & 3 trials.

INTRODUCTION: Acne vulgaris is one of the commonest dermatoses encountered in a dermatology clinic. Although the inflammatory processes are centered around the pilosebaceous unit, a myriad of external factors that alter the pathogenesis have been hypothesized. Newer therapies are focused on targeting these as possible scaffolds for drug development. Existing topical and oral medications have considerable overlap between pharmacotherapy and cosmeceuticals directed toward acne treatment making new drug development extremely competitive and financially burdening. Teratogenicity associated with retinoids, cutaneous adverse effects of topical anti-acne medications, and lack of long-term remission induction are a few hindrances that have to be tackled by novel therapies. AREAS COVERED: Numerous topical and systemic medications for acne vulgaris are undergoing clinical trials presently. The review has dealt with anti-acne drugs undergoing phase II and III clinical trials with emphasis on the rationale of various combinations in tandem with the complex pathogenesis of the disease. EXPERT OPINION: The current strategies in new drug development target sebocyte function, neo-inflammatory mediators, and methods combatting drug resistance while broadening the anti-microbial spectrum against Cutibacterium acnes. A holistic approach is pivotal to strengthen the management protocol for acne to achieve precision dermatological practice.

An observational study on ocular manifestations in patients of psoriasis in a tertiary care hospital in western India.

Background: The aim of the study is to observe the ocular manifestation in patients of psoriasis. Methods: All the diagnosed cases of Psoriasis by the dermatology department of this tertiary care hospital were included in this study. Relevant details of the history pertaining to disease duration, type of psoriasis, and treatment undertaken including ocular symptoms were obtained. Disease severity was quantified using the PASI score. Complete ocular examination including intraocular pressure, Schirmer I and II tests, Tear Film Breakup Tme (TBUT); was carried out for all the patients. Results: Of 126 patients of psoriasis, ocular manifestations were seen in 76 patients (60.3%). Dry eyes (27%) and blepharitis (15.9%) were the most common ocular manifestations. Uveitis was seen in 3.2% of the patients of which 75% patients were HA B27-positive psoriatic arthritis, which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). There was no statistical correlation between duration of the disease and ocular manifestations (p value is 0.077 using chi square test). The ocular manifestations were more common in patients with PASI score 10 when compared with the patients with PASI score 10 (p value = 0.028) which was statistically significant. Conclusions: In our study, prevalence of ocular manifestation was 60.3% which increased with the increasing PASI score. Dry eyes and blepharitis were the most common manifestations. Hence, routine ocular examination is recommended in patients with psoriasis.

Palmoplantar Plaque Psoriasis is Associated with Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity, and Metabolic Syndrome-A Case-Control Study.

Background: Palmoplantar plaque psoriasis is a regional variant of psoriasis, characterized by erythematous, indurated plaques with fissuring over palms and soles. Chronic plaque psoriasis is associated with various comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Body surface area involvement is an indicator of psoriasis severity, and most comorbidities are more strongly correlated with severe disease. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of metabolic comorbidities in palmoplantar plaque psoriasis. Methods: It is a case-control study involving treatment naïve palmoplantar plaque psoriasis patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Results: The study included 100 cases and 100 controls. The mean age among cases and controls was 45.4 ± 11.1 and 43.9 ± 10.3 years, respectively (P: 0.31). The gender ratio among cases and controls was 1.56 (61M: 39F) and 1.94 (66M: 34F), respectively. Comorbidities including metabolic syndrome (P: 0.001), obesity (P: 0.001), diabetes mellitus (P: 0.001), and hypertension (P: 0.001) were more common among cases as compared to controls. The odds of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and obesity in patients with palmoplantar psoriasis were 4.8 (95% CI 2.5-9.3), 3.7 (95% CI 2-6.9), 3.1 (95% CI 1.6-6), and 3.5 (95% CI 1.9-6.4), respectively. Conclusion: In this study, we found that palmoplantar plaque psoriasis is associated with metabolic comorbidities. Primary care physicians should screen patients with palmoplantar psoriasis for these comorbidities.

Efficacy of botulinum toxin in masseter muscle hypertrophy for lower face contouring.

BACKGROUND: Masseter muscle hypertrophy (MMH) usually presents with cosmetic concerns as it may lead to widening of the lower face. Apart from the traditional surgical approaches, botulinum toxin type A (BTA) injection is a non-invasive treatment option available. There are no standard guidelines for this procedure. OBJECTIVES: To study the efficacy of botulinumtoxin A in MMH for lower face contouring. METHODOLOGY: The Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, Google-scholar, Science-Direct database, and ResearchGate from inception until September 2021 were searched using the keywords "botulinumtoxin type A," "masseter muscle hypertrophy," "lower face contouring," and "masseter botox." All available retrospective and prospective studies, case-series, case-reports, and expert reviews were included with an emphasis on efficacy of BTA in MMH and units injected into the muscle, points of placement, adverse events, and the duration of its effect. Reference lists of the resultant articles, as well as relevant reviews, were also searched. RESULT: 40 articles were shortlisted for the review, of which 14 studies with sample-size ≥10 in accordance with the study requirements were summarized in a tabular form for analysis and easy comparison and reference. CONCLUSION: BTA injection is a non-invasive, safe, and effective treatment for MMH. The optimum number of BTA units could not be ascertained due to wide variability in the studies as well as ethnicity of patients and extent or some measurement of MMH. The points of placement of injection should be well within the boundaries of the masseter muscle. The maximum effect of BTA after a single injection session is usually seen in ~3 months, and the duration may last for 6-12 months. Multiple injection sessions may be required to maintain a long-term effect. Injection technique and total number of injection units of neuromodulator must be individualized for each patient.

Lepromatous leprosy in a case of epidermodysplasia verruciformis - A coincidence or a result of defective cell-mediated immunity?

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EDV) is a rare, autosomal recessive, genetic disorder of immune dysregulation characterized by increased susceptibility to cutaneous human papilloma virus infections. It was first described by Lewandowsky and Lutz in 1922 as a form of epidermal nevus. Its association with skin cancers was proposed by Sullivan and Ellis in 1939. Initial lesions often occur in childhood and are of two types; lifelong eruptions of pityriasis versicolor like lesions and flat wart like papules. The latter is characterized by malignant transformation in 35%-50% of patients especially after 40-50 years of age. Bowen disease is the most common tumor followed by invasive squamous cell carcinoma, however, metastasis is rarely encountered.

A Rare Case of Poikilodermatous Mycosis Fungoides.

Poikilodermatous mycosis fungoides (PMF) is a rare clinical variant of early-stage mycosis fungoides with peculiar histological features and with low risk of disease progression. Since poikiloderma can coexist with classical mycosis fungoides lesions, PMF can only be considered when poikilodermatous lesions are predominant (>50% of lesions). We here report one such rare case of PMF with poikilodermatous lesions covering almost 70% of the body surface and with characteristic clinical, histopathological, dermoscopic, and immunohistochemical findings.

Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis presenting with unilateral elephantiasis nostras verrucosa of the left lower limb: A rare entity.

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa is used to describe lymphedema of the lower limbs caused by a nonfilarial etiology. Infective etiologies include bacterial and fungal infections along with chronic venous stasis, postirradiation, congestive heart failure, obesity, and malignancies, all causes leading to lymphatic obstruction and edema. We herein describe a case of a 70-year-old male who presented with diffuse nonpitting edema of the entire left lower limb with cobblestoning of the surface with a positive Kaposi-Stemmer sign and presence of a verrucous plaque over the left ankle. Histopathology of the verrucous plaque revealed it to be tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (TVC). We report this rare presentation of TVC as a cause of unilateral lymphedema.

Hydroa Vacciniforme.

This case report describes recurrent episodes of pruritic vesicular lesions and erosions on the face and photoexposed areas of the arms as well as multiple varioliform scars.

Tinea Nigra Palmaris.

This case report describes multiple coalescing brownish black macules with irregular borders over the left palm and palmar aspect of the digits, with black pigmentary accentuation over the creases.