Stephanie Cowart
Oncodermatopathology Clues: Clinical-Pathologic Correlation for Adverse Skin Reactions to Newer Oncologic Therapies
Dr. Emily Chu presented information about cutaneous adverse reactions to targeted oncologic therapies, including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, enfortumab vedotin (EV), v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) inhibitors, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitors. As more patients receive these oncologic therapies, dermatologists are…
Pragmatic Trials: The Next Generation of Research Needed to Advance Dermatology Practice
Dr. Joel Gelfand presented information about real-world data collection methods, including registries, automated databases, and pragmatic clinical trials. First, Gelfand discussed the role of real-world studies in identifying adverse events (AEs) caused by newly approved treatments. Pre-approval clinical trials (i.e., phase 1-3) have limited ability to identify safety signals because these studies are designed to…
The Role of the Dermatologist in Reducing Cardiovascular
Risk in Psoriasis
Dr. Joel Gelfand presented information about cardiovascular (CV) risk in people with psoriasis and how dermatologists can recognize and reduce CV outcomes in these patients. First, Gelfand described the relationship between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the clinical significance of CV risk in patients with psoriasis. People with psoriasis are at increased risk of…
What’s New in Vitiligo Therapies
Dr. Seemal Desai presented information about vitiligo and provided updates about emerging treatment options. Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease that targets melanocytes, causing skin depigmentation. Its pathogenesis is largely regulated by interferon-γ activation of the Janus kinase (JAK) signaling pathway. First, Desai described treatment options for vitiligo, including topical and systemic therapies, phototherapy, depigmentation…
Creating Disease Severity and Quality-of-Life Scoring Systems for Blistering Diseases
Comparing the efficacy of existing therapies between clinical trials, as well as evaluating new treatments, requires an accurate and reliable assessment of the clinical nature of a disease. Yet the first comprehensive analysis of the interventions used to treat pemphigus, a range of autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD), was inconclusive due to incomplete information, including absence…
The Dean of Black Dermatology
Against the backdrop of severe and persistent racism, including his family’s move to New Jersey in 1922 to escape threats from the Ku Klux Klan, Dr. John A. Kenney Jr. embarked on a journey that ultimately led his residents, mentees, and peers to honor him with the title, the Dean of Black Dermatology (Tuller 2003)….
The DF Turned 60 Years Young This Year and Will Continue to Revolutionize Dermatology
I find great joy in being part of something larger than myself and watching it grow. It’s much like watching a child mature and thrive on their own. As a long-term supporter, volunteer and Board member, it’s been incredibly exciting to see a small group of dedicated dermatologists work together to further our specialty and…
Join the Experts
Registration is open for the 2025 DF Clinical Symposium, taking place January 29 – February 1, 2025, at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. This year, we’ve brought together an exceptional lineup of 11 expert speakers ready to share the latest advancements across a wide range of dermatological topics. Co-chairs Drs. Janet A. Fairley, Yvonne E. Chiu, and…
Where Scientific Innovation, Discovery and Clinical Dermatology Converge
Michael Rosenblum, MD, PhD, was a 20-year-old undergraduate at the University of British Columbia when his mother became ill with breast cancer. At the time, physician-scientists were just beginning to explore how the immune system could be directed to target cancer cells. At the forefront was Dr. Steven Rosenberg, who had written a book that…