Search

Introduction: Since Anti-IL-17s availability, concerns about their safety have been raised due to the inhibition of physiological activities that IL-17A plays in the immune response against infections. Ixekizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody specifically targeting IL-17A approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Areas covered: The aim of this review is to evaluate the safety profile of ixekizumab in moderate to severe psoriasis patients. A compressive literature review included article since March 2022. Expert opinion: in our analysis, most of the reported AEs were mild or moderate and rarely required treatment discontinuation. Among the class specific AEs to consider during ixekizumab treatment, there are the risk of Candida spp infections and the risk of IBD, which both were reported more frequently than if compared with placebo or other biologics (etanercept, ustekinumab, guselkumab). However, the reported candidiasis resulted mild-to moderate, and easily managed. The risk of IBD (both exacerbation and de novo diagnosis) represents a class effect of IL-17 inhibitors, which should be well evaluated before considering starting ixekizumab treatment. the most common AEs were represented by nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and injection-site reactions. The analysed studies confirmed the favourable safety profile of ixekizumab even in more recently published studies.

Matteo Megna, Luigi Fornaro, Luca Potestio, Maria Antonietta Luciano, Mariateresa Nocerino, Mario Delfino, Maria Guarino, Gabriella Fabbrocini, Elisa Camela Section of Dermatology - Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, NA, ItalyCorrespondence: Elisa Camela, Section of Dermatology - Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, Naples, NA, 80131, Italy, Tel +39 - 081 – 7462457, Fax +39 - 081 – 7462442, Email elisacamela@gmail.comPurpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of adalimumab (ADA) and etanercept (ETA) biosimilars in elderly and children with psoriasis.Methods: A real-life retrospective observational study was conducted on pediatric (< 18 years) and geriatric (≥ 65 years) psoriasis patients treated with anti-TNF biosimilar agents referring to the Psoriasis Unit of the University of Naples Federico II, Italy, from January 2018 to January 2022. At baseline, demographic characteristics (age and sex), data on psoriasis duration and severity (measured by Psoriasis Area Severity Index [PASI] and body surface area [BSA]), presence of psoriatic arthritis if applicable, comorbidities, and previous psoriasis treatments were recorded. Patients were monitored by regular follow-ups (week 12, 24, 48 and 72) through clinical and haematological assessments and adverse events (AEs) were registered.Results: A total of 11 children and 23 elderly psoriasis patients were enrolled. Concerning children, 6 (54.5%) were under ADA biosimilar and 5 (45.5%) under ETA biosimilar. ETA and ADA biosimilars were equally effective and safe for up to 72 weeks (mean PASI and BSA < 3). No significant AEs were reported, and none discontinued treatment. In the elderly, 15 (65.2%) were treated with ADA biosimilar and 8 (34.8%) with ETA biosimilar. ETA and ADA biosimilars were equally effective up to 72 weeks (mean PASI < 4 and mean BSA < 5%). AEs (mainly mild) were registered in 9 subjects (39.1%). Also, 4 (17.4%) patients discontinued biologicals for secondary lack of efficacy (3, 75%) or AEs (1, 25%).Conclusion: Our study found that ADA and ETA biosimilars are effective and safe for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis in children and the elderly. No statistically significant efficacy and safety differences were found between ADA and ETA biosimilars in both children and the elderly. Geriatric patients displayed a higher discontinuation rate and side effects than the pediatric counterpart even if without approaching statistical significance.Keywords: psoriasis, etanercept, adalimumab, biosimilar, treatment

We conducted a one-year prospective study involving the enrollment of 58 patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Through a retrospective analysis of data on the same patients, with reference to the year prior to the initiation of the anti-TNFα drug adalimumab, we aimed to show how the advent of this biologic therapy changes the number of days of antibiotic therapy, the number of flare-ups per year, and their duration in days, as well as the quality of life and perceived pain of patients.

The Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway plays a critical role in orchestrating immune and inflammatory responses, and it is essential for a wide range of cellular processes, including differentiation, cell growth, and apoptosis. Over the years, this pathway has been heavily investigated due to its key role in the pathogeneses of several chronic inflammatory conditions, e.g., psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Nevertheless, the impact of this pathway on the pathogenesis of inflammatory conditions remains unclear. This review describes the role of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis (Pso), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), AD, and IBD with a focus on ulcerative colitis (UC) and briefly resumes the use of JAK inhibitors in their clinical management.

Telemedicine can be defined as a modern technology supporting health care from a distance [...].

Background: The most frequent inflammatory skin diseases are psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and acne. Their management is challenging for dermatologists since their relapsing chronic clinical course is associated with a great impact on quality of life. Nevertheless, the recent introduction of novel therapies, such as biological drugs and small molecules has been changing the history of these diseases. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature of case reports, case series, epidemiological studies, reviews, and systematic reviews regarding teledermatology and inflammatory skin disease. Studies were identified, screened, and extracted for relevant data following the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. Results: A total of 69 cases articles were included in the review. Conclusions: As we have shown in the review, several experiences of teledermatology for patients affected by inflammatory skin diseases have been demonstrated to increase due to clinical access to hospital and specialized health care services, allowing better access to specialized dermatology care for people living in remote areas, and saving costs and money with health care.

Teledermatology represented one of the most important and useful tools during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Indeed, due to the severe restriction, and to reduce the spread of the infection, different measures were applied among different countries and hospitals to ensure a continuity of care for patients. In this scenario, teledermatology played a central role, especially in the management of patients suffering from chronic inflammatory skin diseases. The aim of this narrative review is to describe the role of teledermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic to analyze main strengths and limitations of this tool, as well as to provide future perspectives in clinical applications.

Vitiligo is an acquired skin disorder clinically characterized by hypopigmentated macules and patches. Psoriasis is a chronic-inflammatory-skin-condition characterized by erythematous-plaques covered with scales particularly over the extensor-surfaces, scalp and lumbosacral region. Recent major-researches-advancements have significantly expanded our understanding of psoriasis-pathophysiology, resulting in the development of highly-effective targeted-therapies, such as anti TNFα, IL-12/23-inhibitors, IL-17-inhibitors or IL-23-inhibitors. Particularly, ixekizumab, a humanized-monoclonal immunoglobulin-G(IgG) 4 antibody, specifically binding IL-17A, demonstrated strong efficacy in threating recalcitrant psoriasis. Nevertheless, paradoxical reactions due to IL -17 inhibitors have been described. Herein, we report the case of a 53-year-old Caucasian man who obtained complete skin clearance of psoriasis plaques after 16 weeks of ixekizumab treatment together with the appearance of vitiligo patches localized on the facial area. He had never suffered of vitiligo and his family history excluded vitiligo diagnosis. We also could exclude post inflammatory psoriasis hypopigmentation because of absence of facial involvement at baseline. Our experience suggests that vitiligo might be considered a rare adverse effects of anti IL-17 therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The community of visually impaired people has been very active during the last decades with initiatives devoted to raise awareness about their specific needs in the society and encourage the adoption of any innovative assistive solutions for their personal empowerment. A contextual inquiry conducted in Europe revealed that some of the major concerns to those people refer to independence of living. According to recent studies most existing remote control home automation systems miss certain specific usability and accessibility features which could address specific blind users' needs. In the present paper we present an assistive mobile app, designed to allow autonomy of blind/visually impaired users in the everyday activity of getting dressed. The user testing activities conducted so far are described and the derived results are discussed.