Dermatology Month in Review: February 2025

In the latest iteration of our Month in Review series, the HCPLive editorial team highlight a set of different news stories in the dermatology field which were covered in the month of February 2025. This summary of coverage, cumulatively, should provide readers with an overview of the most notable developments in dermatology this past month.

This summary specifically highlights news related to the conditions of psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), alopecia areata, and atopic dermatitis, all of which are dermatologic diseases that have an array of research in development for management and treatment purposes. This summary will help to paint a picture of developments in each of these spaces occurring in February, providing additional insight into the future of treatment data:

Atopic Dermatitis News

FDA Clears IND Application for Zabalafin Hydrogel Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

In a notable February development, an announcement from Alphyn Biologics, Inc., described the approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for Zabalafin Hydrogel, a treatment option now available for individuals with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis.

"This is an incredibly important milestone for Alphyn, and a testament to the team's commitment to bringing to market a first-in-class treatment for a prevalent, chronic disease that substantially impacts patients' quality of life," Alphyn CEO Neal Koller said in a statement. "Zabalafin Hydrogel is on the cutting edge of an evolution in [atopic dermatitis] therapeutics to treat directly for the first time all aspects of the disease simultaneously."

Roflumilast Cream 0.05% Effective for Atopic Dermatitis in Patients Aged 2-5 Years

Another event covered in February was the release of data from the INTEGUMENT-PED study highlighting roflumilast cream 0.05% (Zoryve) as an effective, novel topical treatment option for pediatric patients who are aged 2–5 years and face mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. The INTEGUMENT-PED study had been a follow-up after the INTEGUMENT-1 and INTEGUMENT-2 phase 3 trials with a new study evaluating patients in a younger age range with roflumilast cream 0.05%.

Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Rady Children's Hospital and the University of California, San Diego, led his team of investigators in this study, noting that the new findings on roflumilast cream 0.05% follow positive results in the INTEGUMENT-1 and 2 studies with roflumilast cream 0.15% among those aged ≥ 6 years.

Psoriasis News

Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Imposes Greater Burden Than Psoriasis Vulgaris

New findings also highlighted in February included a study reporting that patients with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) may maintain a higher burden and have a more impaired quality of life (QoL) versus those with psoriasis vulgaris. These data were uncovered using the newly developed Short Form (SF)-36 evaluation, a standardized and adjusted version of SF-36 known as SF-36v216.

Through the modified evaluation method, the investigators of the study were able to look at disease burden among these 2 cohorts. Shinichi Imafuku, from the department of dermatology at the Fukuoka University School of Medicine in Japan, led this research and highlighted that patients who were “enrolled in the [Western Japan Psoriasis Registry] were surveyed using an original questionnaire developed to assess disease-related experiences and burdens.”

Dose Modulation Results Compared in Risankizumab, Guselkumab for Psoriasis

In 1 notable study highlighted from February, investigators found that dose-spacing interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors such as risankizumab and guselkumab among individuals with psoriasis who have achieved stable control of their condition may lead to continued efficacy and safety maintenance. This research was authored in part by Luca Mastorino, from the dermatologic clinic at the University of Turin’s Department of Clinical Medicine in Italy.

“In our clinic, we obtained the systemic off-label authorization for the de-escalation of guselkumab and risankizumab among IL-23 inhibitors in psoriatic patients showing a good and stable response at these treatments,” Luca Mastorino and colleagues wrote. “In the present study, we aim to analyse effectiveness [and] safety of de-escalation strategy of these two biologics.”

Hidradenitis Suppurativa News

Major Risk Factors Identified Which May Limit Oral JAK Inhibitor Use in HS

In HS news, investigators found a lack of risk among 17.7% of patients with HS for oral Janus Kinase inhibitor (JAKi) use, noting that the top risk factors include obesity, smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

This analysis was led by Ditte Georgina Zhang, a PhD candidate from Copenhagen University Hospital’s Department of Dermato-Venereology & Wound Healing Centre. Zhang and colleagues’ research was conducted to expand upon existing data on risk factors which can limit JAKi efficacy. They highlighted that effective recalcitrant HS therapies are known to be somewhat lacking, adding that the novel oral JAK inhibitor approach has emerged as a potential option for patients.

Racial Differences in Biologic Treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Highlighted

White patients overall receive biologics more frequently than Black patients, other findings from February suggest, though investigators noted a lack of statistically significant differences in biologic treatments between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White patients with HS.

“As the current literature on racial disparities in HS focuses on adults, understanding the potential racial differences in disease profile and outcomes of pediatric HS may help deliver equitable, individualized, and prompt care,” Toluwalashe Onamusi, MD, and colleagues wrote. “This retrospective review aims to explore racial differences in the presentation, severity, and management of pediatric HS.”

Alopecia Areata News

Oral Tofacitinib Effective for Pediatric Patients with Alopecia Areata

In 1 study in the alopecia areata space, investigators found that tofacitinib treatment of alopecia areata may be effective for pediatric patients given rapid regrowth observed among responders. Despite these conclusions, they noted the treatment’s durability may require additional research.

These data followed the conclusion of an analysis authored in part by Rahul Mahajan, from the department of dermatology, venereology, and leprology at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in India. Mahajan et al. highlighted the necessity of further data on the safety and efficacy of oral tofacitinib among pediatric individuals with alopecia areata.

Patch Test Highlights Allergens Impacting Alopecia Areata, Other Hair Conditions

Another February study covered by the team demonstrated that a specific type of patch test designed for hair care products and allergenic reactions among those with hair loss due to alopecia areata and related conditions may be considered effective. Chengcheng Feng, from the department of dermatology at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine’s Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital, led this analysis of the allergic situation of different hair conditions using a specific type of patch product testing.

“The patch test for hair care products includes components such as allergens commonly found in daily scalp care products, metals from scalp-contacting items, commercially available or hospital-compounded topical scalp medications, and pharmaceutical combinations designed to address common sensitizing agents,” Feng et al. wrote. “Therefore, the patch test for hair care products is of significant importance for clinical safety, rational, and precise medication use, as detailed in the following report.”