Dermatology Year in Review: 2024

The year of 2024 saw a tremendous variety of developments in the field of dermatology, with an array of notable US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals, many studies highlighting important research into medications, and a host of other significant events.

Each of the many developments in dermatology this year signify current or upcoming changes in the treatment armamentarium as well as findings in the field that provide insight into patient needs. With many new drugs approved by the FDA for more common diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis as well as less common conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and prurigo nodularis, patients today may look forward to a wider array of options as 2025 approaches.

In this review of this year in dermatology news, the HCPLive editorial team features a set of notable FDA approvals as well as other notable developments or research covered in 2024. The list is not exhaustive but provides a set of significant highlights worth noting from this year in dermatology.

FDA Approvals

FDA Approves Bimekizumab for Adults with Hidradenitis Suppurativa

In 1 notable development, UCB announced that the FDA had approved bimekizumab-bkzx (Bimzelx) for treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe HS. The approval followed the phase 3 trials of BE HEARD I and II which indicated that patients had significant reduction of symptoms and had sustained clinical responses up to 48 weeks.

The drug itself is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody which represents the first and only drug specifically formulated to target and inhibit the interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F cytokines. The medication’s safety profile was noted by investigators as consistent with prior data, as no new safety concerns were identified.

FDA Approves Tapinarof 1% Cream for Adult, Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Another FDA approval this year was for an aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist tapinarof (Vtama) cream 1%, a treatment for patients aged 2 years and older with atopic dermatitis. The approval was announced by Organon and followed the positive findings of the ADORING clinical trial program.

“[Tapinarof] cream approval in [atopic dermatitis] is important because it can be prescribed for children as young as 2 years old,” Adelaide A. Hebert, MD, professor and chief of pediatric dermatology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, said in a statement. “[Tapinarof] cream has the potential to bring much needed relief to a significant number of children suffering from this disease.”

Related: Discussing FDA Approval of Tapinarof Cream for Atopic Dermatitis, with John Browning, MD

FDA Approval of Topical Berdazimer Gel Announced for Molluscum Contagiosum

Topical berdazimer gel (Zelsuvmi), 10.3%, was approved in January by the FDA, with the news announced by Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. It was indicated for pediatric and adult patients aged 1 year and older who have molluscum contagiosum (moluscum).

The drug’s approval is significant as it is the first novel drug approved for the treatment of individuals' molluscum infections. Additionally, berdazimer is the first and the only topical option applicable by either caregivers or by patients themselves, with investigators noting its potential for applicability outside of a doctor’s office.

Spesolimab Approved in US, China for Generalized Pustular Psoriasis in Patients 12 and Older

Boehringer Ingelheim announced spesolimab-sbzo’s (Spevigo) approval by FDA officials for the treatment of individuals aged 12 years and older with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). Those qualifying for treatment must also weigh ≥40 kg.

“Until now, people living with [generalized pustular psoriasis] have not had any approved options to treat their disease,” Bruce Strober, MD, PhD, clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University and Central Connecticut Dermatology, said in a statement. “[Spesolimab] has the potential to redefine the treatment options for the patients we serve.”

Roflumilast Cream Receives FDA Approval for Atopic Dermatitis

An FDA approval announced by Arcutis Biotherapeutics for roflumilast cream, 0.15% was announced in July, with the medication indicated for those aged 6 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. .

“The chronic nature of [atopic dermatitis] coupled with the disease instability often leaves patients and caregivers feeling that they are constantly chasing their [atopic dermatitis] flares,” Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, professor of dermatology and pediatrics and vice chair of the department of dermatology at UC San Diego School of Medicine and INTEGUMENT study investigator, said in a statement. “[Roflumilast] rapidly improves and controls disease, including itch, the most bothersome reported symptom...Having a new and effective steroid-free option, without some of the risks associated with topical and systemic steroids, is a welcome advancement for dermatologists, patients, and caregivers.”

FDA Approves Nemolizumab for Treatment of Prurigo Nodularis

In an August announcement, it was reported that nemolizumab (Nemluvio) was approved for adult patients with prurigo nodularis. The drug was designed to be administered subcutaneously through the use of a pre-filled pen.

“I’m delighted that [nemolizumab] has received US FDA approval and I’m looking forward to offering this treatment option to the prurigo nodularis patients in my practice who are in desperate need of fast relief from itch, which negatively impacts their quality of life,” Shawn Kwatra, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in a statement. “By inhibiting the signaling of IL-31, [nemolizumab] addresses a key driver of prurigo nodularis, safely and effectively improving itch as well as skin nodules.”

Highlights of Notable Trial Data

Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Products Shown to Contain High Levels of Benzene

One notable piece of news reported this year was the report of concerningly-high levels of the human carcinogen known as benzene identified within acne-related skin care products that use benzoyl peroxide (BPO). These findings resulted from an investigation by Valisure, an autonomous quality assurance organization.

Valisure’s announcement highlighted that the BPO-containing acne treatment products may be fundamentally unstable, adding that their formation of benzene may be concerning, given conditional limits by the FDA. The new findings on BPO products and potential benzene contamination was followed by a decision by Valisure to file their 8th US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Citizen Petition.

Dermatologists, Patients Divided on Augmented Intelligence for Melanoma Screening

Another notable study highlighted from this year found that dermatologists may differ in their views on implementation of artificial or augmented intelligence for the purposes of screening for skin cancer. The data on subjective opinions of both clinicians and patients indicated that patients preferred 3D-total-body photography (TBP) and doctors trusted their own decision-making in the screening process.

“Our findings underline the importance of [augmented intelligence] in melanoma recognition, in the sense that [augmented intelligence] should serve as a supportive tool for physicians to provide best possible patient care,” the investigators wrote. “Based on our results, we advocate to perform [augmented intelligence] examinations for high-risk patients in routine practice and expect that centres offering 3D TBP will have a competitive advantage in the future.”

Related: Study Compares Artificial Intelligence Smartphone Applications for Skin Cancer

Climate Change and Eczema: Spotlighting Hazards, Trends, Gaps in Awareness

Eighteen studies were also highlighted in an article covered in 2024 that all pointed to various pieces of evidence on the effect of climate change on individuals with atopic dermatitis. The research pointed to climatic hazards impacting the skin disease with direct effects such as particulate matter-induced exacerbations due to fires as well as indirect examples such as drought-caused food insecurity.

“Our study adds to the research on climate change by providing clarity about the extent of research on climatic hazards and [atopic dermatitis], including the research gaps and lack of evidence in the locations most impacted now and projected to be most impacted in the future,” the investigators compiling these studies wrote.

Secukinumab Treatment Effective Up to 5 Years in PsO, PsA

Another notable study this year found that treatment with secukinumab, a selective IL-17 inhibitor, demonstrated its effectiveness among patients for up to 5 years in a cohort of individuals who had psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The study, noting high drug survival (DS), had been published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine.

The analysis itself evaluated secukinumab’s long-term efficacy and DS, with investigators implementing a retrospective real-world analysis. The study specifically looked at adults with either moderate-to-severe disease who had been treated with the medication at the Dermatologic Clinic of the Turin University Hospital.