Harrison Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH, is a double board-certified dermatologist/Mohs micrographic surgeon and clinical researcher in Houston, Texas.

Emerging Evidence in Atopic Dermatitis Management, With Harrison Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH

Harrison Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH, founder of Harrison Dermatology & Research Group in Houston, Texas, spoke with HCPLive about the inccreasing complexity, and level of opportunity, within the atopic dermatitis treatment space, following his session titled “Medical Crossfire” at the 

Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis (RAD) Conference 2026

Speaking with the editorial team, Nguyen described the modern era of treatment as a “golden revolution” in atopic dermatitis care. He hoted clinicians can now access an increasing array of topical and systemic medications, though 1 of the central questions facing providers is finding out which treatment is best for which patient. Increasingly, decisions related to medications are being guided not only by disease severity but also by underlying immunologic mechanisms, comorbidities, and individual patient characteristics, he noted.

“[For] each therapy, we're understanding more and more about their biologic behavior, how they behave in certain manifestations of atopic dermatitis, and of course, which patient would benefit the most based on those characteristics,” Nguyen expressed.

In his session, he presented the case of an adolescent patient with atopic dermatitis and a strong family history of atopic disease. The patient’s family history included asthma, food allergies, allergic rhinitis, and chronic spontaneous urticaria—conditions linked through shared type 2 inflammatory pathways. According to Nguyen, such cases underscore the importance of evaluating atopic dermatitis within the broader context of systemic inflammatory disease rather than viewing it solely as a cutaneous condition.

During the debate-style session, Nguyen argued in favor of dupilumab as the preferred systemic therapy for this particular patient. He explained that the biologic’s dual inhibition of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 may offer advantages for patients with significant type 2 inflammatory burden. While IL-13 plays an important role in atopic dermatitis pathogenesis, Nguyen pointed to IL-4 as being involved in many immune processes, including antibody class switching and Th2-mediated inflammation, making it a critical therapeutic target.

Outside of disease control, Nguyen noted emerging data suggesting potential implications of the targeted treatment of atopic dermatitis for the broader atopic disease spectrum. He noted growing interest in whether treatments such as dupilumab could impact the development or progression of related conditions, including asthma and allergic rhinitis, particularly among patients at elevated risk.

Nguyen’s session reflected the growing level of personalization of atopic dermatitis management, with drug selection becoming more closely tied to a patient’s immunologic profile, family history, and risk for associated type 2 inflammatory conditions.

Nguyen had no relevant financial disclosures of note.

Nguyen H, Bunick C, Cotter D, Shahriari M. Medical Crossfire and Clinical Case Challenge. Session presented at: 2026 Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference; June 17-19, 2026; Nashville, TN.

Videos

At RAD 2026, Nguyen speaks on key highlights from his “Medical Crossfire” session, touching on the atopic dermatitis treatment landscape.

Dermatology

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At Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis 2026 Conference in Nashville, TN, David Rosmarin, MD, gives a deep dive into his session on the evolving pipeline in atopic dermatitis and CHE.

Breaking Down the Burgeoning Pipeline in Atopic Dermatitis, with David Rosmarin, MD

 treatment landscape continues to expand, with oral agents, bispecifics, and novel immune-modulating mechanisms emerging as areas of active investigation alongside existing biologic and JAK inhibitor options.

Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis (RAD) 2026 Conference

, HCPLive spoke with David Rosmarin, MD, chair of the Department of Dermatology and associate professor of Dermatology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, about pipeline agents, unmet needs in hand eczema, and the evolving standard of care in atopic dermatitis.

Among the agents drawing attention, Rosmarin highlighted agents targeting STAT6, including a STAT6 degrader and a STAT6 inhibitor, as well as an ITK inhibitor and a longer-acting IL-13 agent currently in development. He also noted interest in bispecific and trispecific approaches targeting combinations such as IL-13/IL-4 with TSLP and IL-18 with IL-13. A particularly novel mechanism involves rezpegdeleuskin, an IL-2 agonist designed to expand regulatory T cells and modulate immune activity in atopic dermatitis.

Chronic hand eczema received particular emphasis as an area of persistent unmet need. Rosmarin noted the heterogeneity of the population, spanning atopic, allergic, and irritant etiologies, often in combination, and the challenge traditional topicals face in the thicker skin of the hands. He underscored the importance of having targeted options across topical, oral, and biologic classes for this group.

On clinical trial interpretation, Rosmarin described a preference for assessing consistency across multiple endpoints, including EASI-75, EASI-90, pruritus NRS, and the FDA-mandated IGA 0/1 threshold, rather than relying on any single measure.

Collectively, the pipeline Rosmarin outlined addresses several distinct gaps: a cleaner-label oral option, less frequent biologic dosing, access to novel mechanisms when existing IL-4/13 and JAK inhibitor therapies fall short, and the push toward greater efficacy through multi-target approaches.

Disclosures for Rosmarin include AbbVie, Abcuro, Almirall, AltruBio, Amgen, Arena, Astria, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, and others.

Lieberman J, Hawkes J. Session 6: Late-Stage AD Pipeline Review, Clinical Updates in CHE. Session presented at: 

Cui L, Liu P, Wu K, Han X, Peng G. Targeting the JAK/STAT pathway in atopic dermatitis. 

. 2026;17:1757562. Published 2026 Mar 26. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2026.1757562

David Rosmarin, MD, discussed STAT6 inhibitors, ITK inhibitors, bispecifics, hand eczema, and endpoints at the RAD 2026 Conference.

STAT6, ITK Inhibitors, IL-31, & IL-18 Headline Burgeoning Pipeline in Atopic Dermatitis, with David Rosmarin, MD

 How Dermatology PAs Can Master Rapid Diagnostic Recognition

Shanna Miranti, PA-C, a physician assistant at Riverchase Dermatology, took the stage at the 

 in Colorado to deliver a Kodachromes lecture centered on one of the most practiced yet least formally taught skills in 

: reading a rash or lesion quickly and getting it right.

“The goal of any Kodachromes lecture is to try to improve a provider's diagnostic accuracy, speed, and acuity," Miranti said. “We want dermatology PAs to be just as good as the derm residents at visually diagnosing something quickly and accurately."

A Framework for Narrowing the Differential

Miranti described using the Fitzpatrick skin atlas algorithm as a mental organizing structure, guiding clinicians to first determine whether they are looking at a solitary lesion or multiple lesions and, if multiple, whether the distribution is localized or generalized. She argued that the initial categorization alone meaningfully narrows the differential before a provider ever reaches for a dermoscope.

The approach reflects a broader philosophy: pattern recognition is a trainable skill, not an innate talent. Research supports that even 30 minutes a day spent reviewing image-based diagnostic exercises can help clinicians build their own internal visual algorithm, according to Miranti.

Pediatric dermatology emerged as a focal point of the session. Miranti noted that providers who rarely see children in practice can be caught off guard by presentations unique to pediatric skin, including a greater prevalence of infectious causes and reactions that do not manifest the same way in adults. The workforce picture makes this gap more consequential: as of July 2024, only 371 board-certified pediatric dermatologists practiced across the entire United States, with 8 states having none at all.

"It really is up to dermatology APPs to pick up the slack [and]… help those very overworked, very overwhelmed pediatric dermatologists,” Miranti said. “We can be an extension of their care.”

Even clinicians who do not see pediatric patients in their own practice benefit from familiarity with pediatric dermatoses since patients with children will often bring questions about their kids to whoever is available, Miranti added.

Balancing Speed with Diagnostic Discipline

Miranti said that visual acuity guides a provider toward the most likely diagnosis, but the differential should remain provisional until confirmed. Dermoscopy and biopsy remain essential tools for honing a differential and arriving at the most accurate diagnosis and, therefore, the right treatment.

The session also generated substantial discussion around conditions with overlapping presentations. Macular amyloidosis drew questions from attendees about how to distinguish it from notalgia paresthetica, 2 entities that share enough surface similarity to trip up less experienced clinicians. For Miranti, the answer was familiar: pattern recognition deepens with repetition, and once a provider has biopsied a condition multiple times and seen it resolve, the visual memory becomes durable.

"When we see it, we know it; we don't even need to biopsy it anymore," she said. "But this is definitely a skill that any provider can learn."

Miranti offered a measured read on artificial intelligence in dermatology. AI platforms are improving at pattern recognition, and dermatology APPs are paying attention. But the technology cannot yet perform dermoscopy, obtain tissue, or initiate treatment. The more immediate concern she raised was not professional displacement but patient misinformation: people arriving at appointments having already diagnosed themselves using AI image search tools, sometimes incorrectly.

"Hopefully they seek out medical help," Miranti said, "and hopefully there is a very astute dermatology PA or nurse practitioner who can help them."

Editor's note: Reported disclosures for Miranti include Incyte Corporation, Dermavant Sciences, Ortho Dermatologics, Verrica Pharmaceuticals, Galderma Laboratories, SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES, ParaPRO, and more.

Miranti S. Kodachromes: A Visual Journey Through Dermatologic Diagnosis. Session presented at SDPA Summer 2026; June 10–14.

Lee S, Aigbekaen I, Huang J. Geographic Maldistribution of Pediatric Dermatologists in Relation to Pediatric and Family Medicine Residency Programs. 

At SDPA 2026, Shanna Miranti, PA-C, outlined how dermatology PAs can sharpen diagnostic speed and accuracy through structured visual practice and algorithm-based thinking.

Strategic Alliance Partnership

How Dermatology PAs Can Master Rapid Diagnostic Recognition

FCS in Pregnancy and Optimizing Specialist Referral for High-Risk Patients

Pregnancy in a patient with FCS represents one of the highest-acuity scenarios in lipid medicine, with estrogen-driven triglyceride rises compounding an already unmanageable baseline and creating meaningful risk for both mother and fetus.

Alan Brown, MD, MHA, describes managing a patient who had experienced 30 episodes of pancreatitis since age 3, first encountered at age 28 and newly pregnant. With the published literature limited to scattered case reports, and the patient already highly adherent to her diet yet still experiencing recurrent pancreatitis, observation alone was not viable.

Brown describes 2 evidence-supported options beyond strict dietary management: serial plasma exchanges timed to keep triglycerides in check between sessions, and total parenteral nutrition with complete fat restriction for the full duration of pregnancy, requiring prolonged inpatient admission. His patient declined the latter. Plasma exchanges were initiated on a weekly schedule, with triglycerides measured before each exchange to guide the interval. She had no pancreatitis during the pregnancy and delivered a healthy infant.

The case continued after delivery. Enrolled in an early APOC3 inhibitor study, she arrived for her first on-study visit with a positive pregnancy test, this time carrying twins. The plasma exchange strategy was repeated throughout. She delivered 2 healthy babies and has remained pancreatitis-free for more than 5 years on an APOC3 inhibitor. Brown notes that data from centers managing multiple FCS pregnancies show meaningful maternal and fetal mortality, and describes monitoring triglycerides every 2 weeks with a low threshold for intervention as the appropriate approach. No safety data currently exist for newer FCS therapies in pregnancy.

Stephan P. Babirak, MD, PhD, addresses the clinical signals that should prompt any non-specialist to refer. Both experts describe a consistent set of flags: persistent severe hypertriglyceridemia unresponsive to therapy, recurrent pancreatitis, absence of the usual secondary causes, a lean body habitus particularly in younger patients, and a history of unexplained abdominal pain. Babirak notes that dermatologists flagging eruptive xanthomas and ophthalmologists identifying lipemia retinalis have been among his most diagnostically productive referral sources. Brown highlights the role of dietitians as a frontline touchpoint in FCS diagnosis.

Both close by noting that APOC3 inhibitors have changed the management landscape for eligible patients, with Brown emphasizing that getting patients to a specialist who can evaluate them for these agents is the priority.

────────────────────────────────────────

Alan Brown, MD, MHA, is a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Wake Forest University and a past president of the National Lipid Association.

Stephan P. Babirak, MD, PhD, is the founder and medical director of Metabolic Leader, a metabolic and endocrine care center in Scarborough, Maine, where he specializes in lipoprotein disorders.

Disclosures for Brown include New Amsterdam, Merck, Novartis, Arrowhead, Amgen, Regeneron, and Ionis. Babirak has no relevant disclosures to report.

1. Javed F, et al. Familial chylomicronemia syndrome: an expert clinical review from the National Lipid Association. J Clin Lipidol. 2025;19(3):382-403. doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2025.03.013

2. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves drug to reduce triglycerides in adults with familial chylomicronemia syndrome. FDA. November 18, 2025. Accessed June 12, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-drug-reduce-triglycerides-adults-familial-chylomicronemia-syndrome

3. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves drug to reduce triglycerides in adult patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome. FDA. December 19, 2024. Accessed June 12, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-drug-reduce-triglycerides-adult-patients-familial-chylomicronemia-syndrome

Explore plasma exchange as a management strategy for FCS in pregnancy and the clinical red flags that should prompt referral to a lipid specialist.

Video Series

Managing FCS: LPL-Targeted Therapy, Drug Rationalization, and Atherosclerosis Risk

Patients with FCS frequently arrive at a lipid specialist's office already on phenofibrate, omega-3 fatty acids, a statin, and sometimes a PCSK9 inhibitor, a regimen assembled over years of unsuccessful management. Deciding which agents to continue requires a precise understanding of how each drug acts in the context of LPL deficiency.

Stephan P. Babirak, MD, PhD, approaches the question through a framework built over decades of work focused on lipoprotein lipase as the central therapeutic target. LPL is modifiable in patients with partial deficiency, an insight he demonstrated in 1974 showing that 45 to 60 minutes of exercise every other day measurably increases skeletal muscle LPL activity. Phenofibrate, from his own 1989 research, increases LPL expression by roughly 20 to 30%, making it worth maintaining for patients with residual enzyme activity. In patients with complete LPL knockout mutations, fibrates have no meaningful effect. Omega-3 fatty acids are largely unhelpful in this population: their primary mechanism, reducing hepatic VLDL synthesis, is largely irrelevant in patients who already have markedly suppressed VLDL production because they cannot absorb chylomicron remnants, the substrate for VLDL assembly. When he does prescribe omega-3 therapy, he specifies icosapentaenoic acid rather than over-the-counter formulations.

Alan Brown, MD, MHA, reinforces the pharmacologic logic: roughly 75% of VLDL building blocks derive from dietary chylomicron remnants, and without LPL to clear those remnants, VLDL and LDL production are inherently suppressed in true FCS. He is comfortable stopping omega-3 fatty acids in these patients, and tends to leave phenofibrate in place given the possibility of some residual lipase activity.

The segment closes on the question of cardiovascular risk. Babirak references FATS trial findings showing that LPL-deficient heterozygotes can develop atherosclerosis. Brown adds that data from centers with large clinical FCS registries suggest approximately 15% of patients with chylomicronemia phenotypes have detectable subclinical disease, and that secondary diabetes arising from recurrent pancreatitis adds further risk. He describes coronary calcium scoring as his tool of choice for assessing cardiovascular risk before deciding whether to initiate or continue LDL-lowering therapy.

Understand the evidence base for LPL-targeted treatment strategies in FCS, when to discontinue ineffective agents, and how to assess atherosclerosis risk in this population.

Explore how the North American FCS score enables clinical diagnosis when genetic testing is unavailable, and why gastroenterologists remain an undertapped referral source.

Diagnosing FCS Without Genetic Confirmation: Scoring Tools and Referral Gaps

Discover how heterozygous LPL variants, polygenic contributors, and multifactorial presentations complicate FCS classification and the implications for clinical recognition.

Beyond Classic LPL Deficiency: The Genetic Complexity of FCS

Understand how to systematically exclude secondary causes and identify FCS in patients presenting with severe hypertriglyceridemia and recurrent pancreatitis.

Evaluating Severe Hypertriglyceridemia: Differential Diagnosis and FCS Recognition

Diana Varghese, MD, is an internal medicine fellow at the University of Maryland.

Diana Varghese, MD, discusses her recent study noting a 9% prevalence of PA among patients with incident hypertension and providing targets for further screening strategies.

Endocrinology

The HCPLive endocrinology page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on endocrine system conditions. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for diabetes, hormonal disease, and more.

This page also hosts content previously published by EndocrinologyNetwork. 


Hypertension

The HCPLive hypertension page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on high blood pressure. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for hypertension, and more.

Primary Aldosteronism More Common Than Previously Believed, Requires Increased Screening

Eingun James Song, MD, is the director of clinical research for Frontier Dermatology. 

Song emphasized that clinicians should think beyond the skin when managing patients with atopic dermatitis.

What is the Link Between Atopic Dermatitis and Asthma? With Eingun James Song, MD

Patrick Campbell is the editorial director of HCPLive. Patrick has spent years spearheading coverage surrounding cardiometabolic health and rheumatic disease for MJH Life Sciences. Before joining MJH Life Sciences in 2019, he spent time as a beat reporter and/or multimedia specialist with the Pocono Record, Star News Group, and NJ Advance Media. He is the executive producer for multiple HCPLive podcasts, including Diabetes Dialogue, Don't Miss a Beat, Kidney Compass, Medical Ethics Unpacked, The Medical Sisterhood, and Skin of Color Savvy. 


Follow him on Twitter @RealPatCampbell or reach him via email at PCampbell@mjhlifesciences.com.

Articles

ARCADIA LTE data show nemolizumab maintains EASI-75 in over 90% of responders through 2 years and phase 2 pediatric data shed further light at RAD 2026.

Nemolizumab Data at RAD 2026 Shed Light on Long-Term Itch Control, Pediatric Benefit

Chair, American Lung Association Board of Directors, Director of Clinical Research at Waterbury Pulmonary Associates, and assistant clinical professor of medicine at Yale University School of Medicine and Quinnipiac University.

Pulmonologist David Hill, MD, anticipates cytisinicline's approval ahead of its June 20 PDUFA date.

Pulmonology

Infectious Disease condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on respiratory health. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, COVID-19, and more.

Anticipating Cytisinicline: First New Smoking Cessation Aid in Over 20 Years

Jay Lieberman, MD, from University of Tennessee

At RAD2026, Lieberman notes advances in immunology and systemic therapies that are reshaping the link between dermatology and allergy/immunology.


What is the Role of Immunology in Atopic Dermatitis Care? With Jay Lieberman, MD

A propensity-matched study shows dupilumab reduces gastrointestinal and endocrine IMID risk by 43-46% but raises psoriasis risk by 24%.

Dupilumab Reduces GI & Endocrine IMID Risk, But Raises Dermatologic IMID Signal in AD

Nancy Reau, MD, is Professor of Internal Medicine, Richard B. Capps Chair of Hepatology, Associate Director of Solid Organ Transplantation, and Section Chief of Hepatology at Rush University Medical Center.

Podcasts

Tatyana Kushner, MD, joins hosts Brown and Reau to discuss HDV testing gaps, bulevirtide approval, and the emerging delta hepatitis pipeline.

Hepatology

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Hepatitis C page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into HCV can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on hepatitis C virus research, treatment, and drug development.

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Liver Lineup: Updates & Unfiltered Insights

Introducing Liver Lineup: Updates & Unfiltered Insights — an exciting new podcast delivering timely, candid perspectives on the most pressing topics in the fast-moving world of hepatology. Created by Nancy Reau, MD, and Kimberly Brown, MD, and hosted by HCPLive, this series dives into the cutting edge of liver disease research, clinical care, and real-world practice.

Latest News

Emerging Evidence in Atopic Dermatitis Management, With Harrison Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH

STAT6, ITK Inhibitors, IL-31, & IL-18 Headline Burgeoning Pipeline in Atopic Dermatitis, with David Rosmarin, MD

How Dermatology PAs Can Master Rapid Diagnostic Recognition

FCS in Pregnancy and Optimizing Specialist Referral for High-Risk Patients

Managing FCS: LPL-Targeted Therapy, Drug Rationalization, and Atherosclerosis Risk