The 2017 Summer Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) came to the New York Hilton Midtown from July 27 to July 30, 2017. The meeting included a comprehensive program with the latest research, news and exhibits.
Plenary Highlights
The Plenary ran from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday in Grand Ballroom East. The session featured 5 lecturers as well as the President’s Address presented by Henry W. Lim, MD (Figure 1).
Figure 1
President’s Message
AAD President Henry W. Lim, MD, noted that although the field of dermatology faces numerous challenges, such as increasing skin disease in seniors, the role of non-physician providers, and meeting the demands of government regulations, the Academy is increasing its efforts to meet those challenges.
He noted dermatology must get in sync with the changing world of health care and government regulation. “Successfully transitioning—adapting—to those changes is especially challenging for all of medicine, and for our specialty,” he said. “Nationally, we are in the middle of a health care system in deep turmoil and uncertainty.”
Dr Lim outlined several areas of need including access to dermatology care for most Americans, as well as helping dermatologists deal with reporting requirements for Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and maintenance of certification (MOC). The AADA Practice Management Center can help answer questions about MACRA compliance. The Academy advocated for the adjustment of some MACRA regulations.
AAD continues to represent dermatologists regarding MOC. “This is a challenging issue. On one hand, we must continue to demonstrate our training and qualifications as dermatologists and to distinguish ourselves from other clinicians who claim to practice dermatology,” Dr Lim said. “Board certification is the gold standard to do so. However, we all also recognize the time and effort needed to comply with MOC requirements, as they stand now.”
He added that it is a priority for AAD to continue to communicate with members to better serve them. Dr Lim asked the members to be involved in the dermatology community and in the Academy. In addition, an August conference of Academy members, leaders, and sister societies will work to better represent patients.
Vitiligo Research
Pearl E. Grimes, MD, spoke on vitiligo, a disease that affects the pigmentation and psyches of its victims who have had no definitive and effective treatment options (Figure 2). That is changing with research into the genetic causes of the disease, which is opening the door to several new treatments, said Dr Grimes, who presented research in the Everett C. Fox, MD Memorial Award and Lectureship, “Vitiligo, the Big Sleeper: From Fallacies and Frustration to New Discoveries.”
“The big sleeper has awakened,” she said. “We have drugs that are being tested in phase 2 and phase 3 studies, raising hope moving forward. I’m happy to be on board and be part of this exciting time in the science of vitiligo as the story unfolds.”
Figure 2
PRP: Hype or Hope
In his lecture, Terrence Keaney, MD, discussed “Platelet-Rich Plasma: Hype or Hope?” Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment being used off-label to treat androgenic alopecia and chronic wounds, and for skin rejuvenation (Figure 3). “PRP is an emerging therapy in dermatology and medicine in general. There is a lot of promise behind it, but the scientific data is still evolving,” said Dr Keaney. He discussed the potential for this treatment based on the existing data.
“I don’t think it’s just hype, but there is still a lot of hope involved with it,” he said. “The FDA has approved it as a device, but the level of evidence is variable. There is a lot of variation in clinical study design, though most studies suggest a clinical effect. Despite its promise, there are still a lot of question marks.”
Story continues on page 2
PRP has displayed a good safety profile with minimal injection-site discomfort. “As physicians, we have a lot of healthy skepticism because you hear about these new treatments that are based on little clinical data,” Dr Keaney said. “One of the things that is intriguing about PRP is the scientific rationale and mechanism of action that growth factors found in platelets can be biologically active and effective for a variety of dermatologic conditions.
He noted that because it is a device, pharmaceutical companies will not be funding large double-blinded studies. “So, it is up to my colleagues and the audience to address and design clever studies to answer these questions because it is worth our time as dermatologists to figure out how PRP fits in our therapeutic armamentarium, and if so, what is the best way to deliver it,” he said.
FIgure 3
Economic Impact of Skin Disease
Earlier this year, the Academy released “The Burden of Skin Disease in the United States,” an update to its 2004 study. Marta Van Beek, MD, MPH, a member of the AAD’s Burden of Skin Disease Work Group, reviewed the new study, which examined the economic impact of 24 diseases, in her talk “The Burden of Skin Disease: Implications for Our Specialty.” (Figure 4)
“The data from this project demonstrates that skin disease affects an increasing part of the U.S. population, with significant economic consequences for both patients and society,” said Dr Van Beek. “As our population ages and skin disease becomes even more prevalent, we need to think about how we can deliver care to more people in a more efficient manner so everyone has access.”
Figure 4
Understanding Adoptive Cellular Therapy
Speaker Michael C. Milone, MD, PhD, a pioneer in adoptive cellular therapy, discussed adoptive cellular therapy, in his talk on “Genetically Engineered T-Cell Therapy for B-Cell Mediated Diseases.” The technology, which has been used as a therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphomas, modifies the T-cells of patients outside the body and returns them to the body to target B-cells linked to the disease. Adoptive cellular therapy is being studied to target cells that cause the autoimmune blistering disease pemphigus vulgaris.
“We have started work to specifically target B-cells that produce autoantibodies that attack cells and cause autoimmune disease,” said Dr Milone. “Pemphigus vulgaris is a disease where individuals make autoantibodies that target desmoglein molecules. They are part of the ‘glue’ that holds cells in your skin together. When you make these antibodies, you disrupt those junctions between cells and people get blisters.”
Guest speaker Samuel H. Sternberg, PhD, discussed the CRISPR-Cas9, a new technology that enables biochemists to edit defective genes inside cells. The technology allows clinicians to really think about treating disease in a different way. “Instead of persistent treatments that might require daily or weekly administration, you could turn to a one-time treatment that edits enough of the patient’s cells at the DNA level to eliminate the causative mutation at its source,” said Dr Sternberg, the co-author of A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution.
The Latest Research
Look for updates in The Dermatologist Medical Resource Centers for the latest news from the scientific sessions of the 2017 Summer AAD meeting.
See You in San Diego, CA.
The 2018 Annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting will be held in San Diego, Calif., Feb. 16-20, 2018. The meeting will take place at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA, 92101.
The 2017 Summer Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) came to the New York Hilton Midtown from July 27 to July 30, 2017. The meeting included a comprehensive program with the latest research, news and exhibits.
Plenary Highlights
The Plenary ran from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday in Grand Ballroom East. The session featured 5 lecturers as well as the President’s Address presented by Henry W. Lim, MD (Figure 1).
Figure 1
President’s Message
AAD President Henry W. Lim, MD, noted that although the field of dermatology faces numerous challenges, such as increasing skin disease in seniors, the role of non-physician providers, and meeting the demands of government regulations, the Academy is increasing its efforts to meet those challenges.
He noted dermatology must get in sync with the changing world of health care and government regulation. “Successfully transitioning—adapting—to those changes is especially challenging for all of medicine, and for our specialty,” he said. “Nationally, we are in the middle of a health care system in deep turmoil and uncertainty.”
Dr Lim outlined several areas of need including access to dermatology care for most Americans, as well as helping dermatologists deal with reporting requirements for Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and maintenance of certification (MOC). The AADA Practice Management Center can help answer questions about MACRA compliance. The Academy advocated for the adjustment of some MACRA regulations.
AAD continues to represent dermatologists regarding MOC. “This is a challenging issue. On one hand, we must continue to demonstrate our training and qualifications as dermatologists and to distinguish ourselves from other clinicians who claim to practice dermatology,” Dr Lim said. “Board certification is the gold standard to do so. However, we all also recognize the time and effort needed to comply with MOC requirements, as they stand now.”
He added that it is a priority for AAD to continue to communicate with members to better serve them. Dr Lim asked the members to be involved in the dermatology community and in the Academy. In addition, an August conference of Academy members, leaders, and sister societies will work to better represent patients.
Vitiligo Research
Pearl E. Grimes, MD, spoke on vitiligo, a disease that affects the pigmentation and psyches of its victims who have had no definitive and effective treatment options (Figure 2). That is changing with research into the genetic causes of the disease, which is opening the door to several new treatments, said Dr Grimes, who presented research in the Everett C. Fox, MD Memorial Award and Lectureship, “Vitiligo, the Big Sleeper: From Fallacies and Frustration to New Discoveries.”
“The big sleeper has awakened,” she said. “We have drugs that are being tested in phase 2 and phase 3 studies, raising hope moving forward. I’m happy to be on board and be part of this exciting time in the science of vitiligo as the story unfolds.”
Figure 2
PRP: Hype or Hope
In his lecture, Terrence Keaney, MD, discussed “Platelet-Rich Plasma: Hype or Hope?” Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment being used off-label to treat androgenic alopecia and chronic wounds, and for skin rejuvenation (Figure 3). “PRP is an emerging therapy in dermatology and medicine in general. There is a lot of promise behind it, but the scientific data is still evolving,” said Dr Keaney. He discussed the potential for this treatment based on the existing data.
“I don’t think it’s just hype, but there is still a lot of hope involved with it,” he said. “The FDA has approved it as a device, but the level of evidence is variable. There is a lot of variation in clinical study design, though most studies suggest a clinical effect. Despite its promise, there are still a lot of question marks.”
Story continues on page 2
PRP has displayed a good safety profile with minimal injection-site discomfort. “As physicians, we have a lot of healthy skepticism because you hear about these new treatments that are based on little clinical data,” Dr Keaney said. “One of the things that is intriguing about PRP is the scientific rationale and mechanism of action that growth factors found in platelets can be biologically active and effective for a variety of dermatologic conditions.
He noted that because it is a device, pharmaceutical companies will not be funding large double-blinded studies. “So, it is up to my colleagues and the audience to address and design clever studies to answer these questions because it is worth our time as dermatologists to figure out how PRP fits in our therapeutic armamentarium, and if so, what is the best way to deliver it,” he said.
FIgure 3
Economic Impact of Skin Disease
Earlier this year, the Academy released “The Burden of Skin Disease in the United States,” an update to its 2004 study. Marta Van Beek, MD, MPH, a member of the AAD’s Burden of Skin Disease Work Group, reviewed the new study, which examined the economic impact of 24 diseases, in her talk “The Burden of Skin Disease: Implications for Our Specialty.” (Figure 4)
“The data from this project demonstrates that skin disease affects an increasing part of the U.S. population, with significant economic consequences for both patients and society,” said Dr Van Beek. “As our population ages and skin disease becomes even more prevalent, we need to think about how we can deliver care to more people in a more efficient manner so everyone has access.”
Figure 4
Understanding Adoptive Cellular Therapy
Speaker Michael C. Milone, MD, PhD, a pioneer in adoptive cellular therapy, discussed adoptive cellular therapy, in his talk on “Genetically Engineered T-Cell Therapy for B-Cell Mediated Diseases.” The technology, which has been used as a therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphomas, modifies the T-cells of patients outside the body and returns them to the body to target B-cells linked to the disease. Adoptive cellular therapy is being studied to target cells that cause the autoimmune blistering disease pemphigus vulgaris.
“We have started work to specifically target B-cells that produce autoantibodies that attack cells and cause autoimmune disease,” said Dr Milone. “Pemphigus vulgaris is a disease where individuals make autoantibodies that target desmoglein molecules. They are part of the ‘glue’ that holds cells in your skin together. When you make these antibodies, you disrupt those junctions between cells and people get blisters.”
Guest speaker Samuel H. Sternberg, PhD, discussed the CRISPR-Cas9, a new technology that enables biochemists to edit defective genes inside cells. The technology allows clinicians to really think about treating disease in a different way. “Instead of persistent treatments that might require daily or weekly administration, you could turn to a one-time treatment that edits enough of the patient’s cells at the DNA level to eliminate the causative mutation at its source,” said Dr Sternberg, the co-author of A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution.
The Latest Research
Look for updates in The Dermatologist Medical Resource Centers for the latest news from the scientific sessions of the 2017 Summer AAD meeting.
See You in San Diego, CA.
The 2018 Annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting will be held in San Diego, Calif., Feb. 16-20, 2018. The meeting will take place at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA, 92101.
The 2017 Summer Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) came to the New York Hilton Midtown from July 27 to July 30, 2017. The meeting included a comprehensive program with the latest research, news and exhibits.
Plenary Highlights
The Plenary ran from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday in Grand Ballroom East. The session featured 5 lecturers as well as the President’s Address presented by Henry W. Lim, MD (Figure 1).
Figure 1
President’s Message
AAD President Henry W. Lim, MD, noted that although the field of dermatology faces numerous challenges, such as increasing skin disease in seniors, the role of non-physician providers, and meeting the demands of government regulations, the Academy is increasing its efforts to meet those challenges.
He noted dermatology must get in sync with the changing world of health care and government regulation. “Successfully transitioning—adapting—to those changes is especially challenging for all of medicine, and for our specialty,” he said. “Nationally, we are in the middle of a health care system in deep turmoil and uncertainty.”
Dr Lim outlined several areas of need including access to dermatology care for most Americans, as well as helping dermatologists deal with reporting requirements for Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and maintenance of certification (MOC). The AADA Practice Management Center can help answer questions about MACRA compliance. The Academy advocated for the adjustment of some MACRA regulations.
AAD continues to represent dermatologists regarding MOC. “This is a challenging issue. On one hand, we must continue to demonstrate our training and qualifications as dermatologists and to distinguish ourselves from other clinicians who claim to practice dermatology,” Dr Lim said. “Board certification is the gold standard to do so. However, we all also recognize the time and effort needed to comply with MOC requirements, as they stand now.”
He added that it is a priority for AAD to continue to communicate with members to better serve them. Dr Lim asked the members to be involved in the dermatology community and in the Academy. In addition, an August conference of Academy members, leaders, and sister societies will work to better represent patients.
Vitiligo Research
Pearl E. Grimes, MD, spoke on vitiligo, a disease that affects the pigmentation and psyches of its victims who have had no definitive and effective treatment options (Figure 2). That is changing with research into the genetic causes of the disease, which is opening the door to several new treatments, said Dr Grimes, who presented research in the Everett C. Fox, MD Memorial Award and Lectureship, “Vitiligo, the Big Sleeper: From Fallacies and Frustration to New Discoveries.”
“The big sleeper has awakened,” she said. “We have drugs that are being tested in phase 2 and phase 3 studies, raising hope moving forward. I’m happy to be on board and be part of this exciting time in the science of vitiligo as the story unfolds.”
Figure 2
PRP: Hype or Hope
In his lecture, Terrence Keaney, MD, discussed “Platelet-Rich Plasma: Hype or Hope?” Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment being used off-label to treat androgenic alopecia and chronic wounds, and for skin rejuvenation (Figure 3). “PRP is an emerging therapy in dermatology and medicine in general. There is a lot of promise behind it, but the scientific data is still evolving,” said Dr Keaney. He discussed the potential for this treatment based on the existing data.
“I don’t think it’s just hype, but there is still a lot of hope involved with it,” he said. “The FDA has approved it as a device, but the level of evidence is variable. There is a lot of variation in clinical study design, though most studies suggest a clinical effect. Despite its promise, there are still a lot of question marks.”
Story continues on page 2
PRP has displayed a good safety profile with minimal injection-site discomfort. “As physicians, we have a lot of healthy skepticism because you hear about these new treatments that are based on little clinical data,” Dr Keaney said. “One of the things that is intriguing about PRP is the scientific rationale and mechanism of action that growth factors found in platelets can be biologically active and effective for a variety of dermatologic conditions.
He noted that because it is a device, pharmaceutical companies will not be funding large double-blinded studies. “So, it is up to my colleagues and the audience to address and design clever studies to answer these questions because it is worth our time as dermatologists to figure out how PRP fits in our therapeutic armamentarium, and if so, what is the best way to deliver it,” he said.
FIgure 3
Economic Impact of Skin Disease
Earlier this year, the Academy released “The Burden of Skin Disease in the United States,” an update to its 2004 study. Marta Van Beek, MD, MPH, a member of the AAD’s Burden of Skin Disease Work Group, reviewed the new study, which examined the economic impact of 24 diseases, in her talk “The Burden of Skin Disease: Implications for Our Specialty.” (Figure 4)
“The data from this project demonstrates that skin disease affects an increasing part of the U.S. population, with significant economic consequences for both patients and society,” said Dr Van Beek. “As our population ages and skin disease becomes even more prevalent, we need to think about how we can deliver care to more people in a more efficient manner so everyone has access.”
Figure 4
Understanding Adoptive Cellular Therapy
Speaker Michael C. Milone, MD, PhD, a pioneer in adoptive cellular therapy, discussed adoptive cellular therapy, in his talk on “Genetically Engineered T-Cell Therapy for B-Cell Mediated Diseases.” The technology, which has been used as a therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphomas, modifies the T-cells of patients outside the body and returns them to the body to target B-cells linked to the disease. Adoptive cellular therapy is being studied to target cells that cause the autoimmune blistering disease pemphigus vulgaris.
“We have started work to specifically target B-cells that produce autoantibodies that attack cells and cause autoimmune disease,” said Dr Milone. “Pemphigus vulgaris is a disease where individuals make autoantibodies that target desmoglein molecules. They are part of the ‘glue’ that holds cells in your skin together. When you make these antibodies, you disrupt those junctions between cells and people get blisters.”
Guest speaker Samuel H. Sternberg, PhD, discussed the CRISPR-Cas9, a new technology that enables biochemists to edit defective genes inside cells. The technology allows clinicians to really think about treating disease in a different way. “Instead of persistent treatments that might require daily or weekly administration, you could turn to a one-time treatment that edits enough of the patient’s cells at the DNA level to eliminate the causative mutation at its source,” said Dr Sternberg, the co-author of A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution.
The Latest Research
Look for updates in The Dermatologist Medical Resource Centers for the latest news from the scientific sessions of the 2017 Summer AAD meeting.
See You in San Diego, CA.
The 2018 Annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting will be held in San Diego, Calif., Feb. 16-20, 2018. The meeting will take place at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA, 92101.
MDSolarSciences has pledged to donate 1% of the company’s 2017 annual sales to The Skin Cancer Foundation, a not-for-profit organization committed to decreasing the incidence of skin cancer through public and professional education and...
MDSolarSciences has pledged to donate 1% of the company’s 2017 annual sales to The Skin Cancer Foundation, a not-for-profit organization committed to decreasing the incidence of skin cancer through public and professional education and...
This online-only bonus feature is an ongoing review of past peer reveiw journal articles with significant impact on dermatology.
Courtney Weathersby Bagayoko M.D.
Histopathology of Dermatitis
Dermatitis is an umbrella term used to...
This online-only bonus feature is an ongoing review of past peer reveiw journal articles with significant impact on dermatology.
Courtney Weathersby Bagayoko M.D.
Histopathology of Dermatitis
Dermatitis is an umbrella term used to...
1. What alternative therapies does Dr Swanson suggest for children who have difficulty adhering to topical treatment regimens?a) Antibioticsb) Injectable or oral medicationsc) UV light therapyd) Homeopathic remedies2. According to Dr Swanson,...
1. What alternative therapies does Dr Swanson suggest for children who have difficulty adhering to topical treatment regimens?a) Antibioticsb) Injectable or oral medicationsc) UV light therapyd) Homeopathic remedies2. According to Dr Swanson,...
1. According to Dr Linda Stein Gold, how do nonsteroidal topical therapies compare to traditional steroid-based treatments for managing psoriasis and AD?a) They are less effective but safer.b) They are as effective as mid-potency steroids and...
1. According to Dr Linda Stein Gold, how do nonsteroidal topical therapies compare to traditional steroid-based treatments for managing psoriasis and AD?a) They are less effective but safer.b) They are as effective as mid-potency steroids and...
According to a recent interview with Jessica Johnson, MPH, what is a significant barrier to seeking mental health support among patients with atopic dermatitis?
According to a recent interview with Jessica Johnson, MPH, what is a significant barrier to seeking mental health support among patients with atopic dermatitis?
Which class of medications received a "general thumbs up" in the latest guidelines for atopic dermatitis management due to their efficacy and low cancer risk?
Which class of medications received a "general thumbs up" in the latest guidelines for atopic dermatitis management due to their efficacy and low cancer risk?
