Mortality Marker Pinpointed for Dermatomyositis

A recent study completed by researchers from Rouen University Hospital in France has identified IgG2 isotype of the autoantibody anti-TIF1y, as a bio-marker in predicting cancer and mortality among patients with dermatomyositis (DM). The study found that compared with DM patients who were negative for the marker, patients who were positive for anti-TIF1 lgG2 had nearly triple the risk of cancer, with a hazard ratio of 3.1 (95% CI 1.5-6.5). The study’s authors highlighted the importance of the findings, explaining: “As cancer is the major risk of mortality in adult DM and complicates the therapeutic management of DM, there is a need to identify tools that may help to evaluate the risk of cancer and mortality in anti-TIF1γ+ adult DM patients, and to decide how long and how much cancer screening should be proposed for an individual patient."
 

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Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. Announces the Addition of Lawrence A. Schachner, M.D. to its Scientific Advisory Board

Biopharmaceutical company Hoth Therapeutics has recently announced the addition of Lawrence A. Schachner, MD and Vincent C.O. Njar, Ph.D. to the company’s scientific advisory board tasked with assisting the development of the BioLexa platform and other therapeutics. As a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on advanced targeted therapies for patients suffering from skin conditions including atopic dermatitis and chronic wound disorders, Hoth Therapeutics is moving towards its next phase in its proprietary, patented, drug compound BioLexa Platform. In a publicly released statement, Robb Knie, CEO of Hoth Therapeutics commented, "I am pleased to welcome both Dr. Schachner and Dr. Njar to our Scientific Advisory Board. As we move toward clinical trials, the company is fortunate to have such well respected leaders adding their expertise and insight."
 

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FDA Approves Corticosteroid-Retinoid Lotion for Plaque Psoriasis

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a topical combination of corticosteroid halobetasol propionate (0.01%) and the topical retinoid , tazarotene (0.045%) in a lotion formulated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults. In a press release, the company Ortho Dermatologics outlines the promising results from two phase 3 studies that compared treatment against the combination product. The approved product will be marketed under the name Duobrii and will be priced at $825 for a 100-gram tube.    

Allergies are one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting up to 30% of U.S. adults. In industrial cities, the problem increases, with nearly one in three people suffering from allergies at some point in their lives.