Highlights from Maui Derm Connect

Maui Derm Connect, the virtual dermatology CME conference designed for dermatology health care professionals, including dermatologists and dermatology NPs and PAs, occurred September 23 to 27. This virtual offering included master’s classes, core curricula, plenary sessions with panel discussions, workshops and product theaters, as well as question and answer sessions.

Over the 5 days, there were 29 sessions featuring 32 speakers and over 20 exhibitors. This conference also allowed participants to claim 29.5 CME credits.

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Highlights from the Conference

Psoriatic Disease and COVID-19

• Dr. Joel Gelfand, M.D., discussed NPF’s COVID-19 Task Force, including the Guidance for Management of Psoriatic Disease During the Pandemic: Version 1 that is published in JAAD.  He presented information regarding psoriasis management during the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed key facts and risk factors, such as age, disparities and comorbidities.

Psoriatic Arthritis

• Dr. Arthur Kavanaugh, M.D., presented an update on PsA, which covered some key facts about the disease, its putative etiopathogenesis and provided an in-depth review of treatment options and newer therapeutic agents.

Up and Coming Treatment Research

• Dr. Sheila Fallon-Friedlander discussed a post hoc analysis of the Phase 3 reSURFACE 1 clinical trial. This analysis aimed to assess residual disease in plaque psoriasis patients who were successfully treated with tildrakizumab 100mg who interrupted treatment, relapsed, and were retreated compared to continuous treated patients. This Data from the reSURFACE 1 trial demonstrated that tildrakizumab had a durable response profile. Among patients who relapsed once tildrakizumab was withdrawn, residual disease resolved in the majority of cases after receiving tildrakizumab. Additionally, the continuation of tildrakizumab was associated with low residual disease and a low rate of adverse effects.
• Dr. Linda Stein Gold, M.D., discussed the efficacy of tapinarof cream by body region in patients with plaque psoriasis in a Phase 2b study. At the conclusion, tapinarof cream demonstrated consistent and durable efficacy across body regions. There is a phase 3 clinical trial program of tapinarof underway.

Treating Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis

• Dr. Stein Gold also examined the efficacy of a fixed combination halobetasol propionate 0.01%/tazarotene 0.045% lotion in females with psoriasis and their perception of vehicle properties. Findings from this study demonstrated that once daily use for 8 weeks was associated with significant, rapid and sustained reductions in disease in female participants with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Female patients also liked the vehicle lotion, according to findings from a questionnaire.
• Dr. Bruce Strober, M.D., discussed a post hoc analysis to compare the cumulative benefits of ixekizumab vs. guselkumab over 24 weeks of treatment concerning skin clearance, itching, and health-related quality of life. Data from this analysis showed that patients treated with ixekizumab demonstrated greater cumulative benefit over 24 weeks compared with guselkumab.
• Dr. Strober also discussed a research study on the efficacy and safety of 2 secukinumab dosing regiments in pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Initial results from the ongoing study showed that secukinumab is highly efficacious through Week 16. Additionally, the observed safety profile in pediatric patients appears to be consistent with was has been observed in adult patients.

Case Studies

• Master’s Class was led by Dr. Strober with Dr. Kavanaugh and Melodie Young, NP. They reviewed cases (both actual and hypothetical) related to treating patients with psoriasis including during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reviewed data related to treating PsA with anti-IL-17s, IL-23s, and anti TNF treatments. It also discussed the effects of weight gain and loss on treatment.

The recap is not intended to be a complete summation of all presentations. The captured information and data presented do not necessarily represent the beliefs of the NPF and are not intended to be promotional in nature. This information was provided to the NPF after the conclusion of the conference.