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Journal of Drugs in Dermatology

Aug 18
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Biologic Access Made Easier

By ODAC Sessions

biologic access

Accessing biologics is a process that can be complicated for both the dermatology office staff and patients. Next Steps in Derm, in partnership with the ODAC Dermatology Conference, interviewed Heather Sawrey, biologic coordinator for the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences Department of Dermatology. With more than 15 years of experience as a biologic coordinator in dermatology, she knows what’s needed for speedy biologic access. Watch and learn what you need to know about the approval timeline and fulfillment steps. Find out the biggest barrier in getting patients on biologics and the value of a “beefy note.” Feeling overwhelmed already? Hear how adding a biologic coordinator to your staff can help ease the burden and improve access.

Further Reading

If you want to read more about biologic access, check out the following articles published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology:

No Racial Differences Found in Access to Biologics: A Population-Based Study of Psoriasis Patients in the United States

ABSTRACT

Background: Conflicting evidence exists regarding the role of race in access to biologics for patients with psoriasis. Objective: To compare biologic use among adult and pediatric United States psoriasis patients of different racial backgrounds.

Methods: Population-based study of US psoriasis patients using the 2003 to 2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS).

Results: Among 31,525,500 adults and children with psoriasis (weighted), 3,026,578 (9.6%) were on biologics. Among psoriasis patients, 27,464,864 (87.1%) self-identified as white, 2,033,802 (6.5%) self-identified as Black, 1,173,435 (3.7%) self-identified as Asian or Pacific Islander, and 853,399 (2.7%) self-identified as other races. Among those on biologics, 2,778,239 (91.8%) self-identified as white, 84,971 (2.8%) identified as Black, 89,452 (3.0%) self-identified as Asian or Pacific Islander, and 73,917 (2.4%) self-identified as other races. Multivariate logistic regression revealed no significant differences in biologic access between whites and non-whites after adjusting for sociodemographic factors including insurance status (OR for Blacks: 0.347 [0.118, 1.021], P=0.055; OR for Asians: 0.616 [0.240, 1.579], P=0.311; OR for other races: 0.850 [0.216, 3.336], P=0.814.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that race alone is not independently associated with access to biologics among adult US psoriasis patients. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate factors independently associated with biologics access among adults and children with psoriasis in the US.

Evaluating Sentiment, Engagement, and Perception of Biologics Among Patients with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis on Reddit

ABSTRACT

Background: Limited analyses of social media content among psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients exist. These patients may turn to social media to gain insight into treatments such as biologics.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the content, sentiment, and engagement of social media posts regarding biologics for PsO and PsA.

Methods: Posts and comments discussing biologics were extracted from publicly accessible PsO and PsA Reddit groups. Posts were assigned higher (HOT) and lower order (LOT) themes, sentiments, and engagement scores.

Results: Of 1141 posts extracted, 705 posts were classified under the HOT general/efficacy. Twelve lower order themes (LOTs) were identified: general advice/experience (10.2%), symptoms improved (36.6%), switching biologics (10.5%), and time to results (13.4%). 61.3% of content was of positive sentiment, 24.0% was neutral, and 14.7% was of negative sentiment. The mean sentiment score, defined as the average of all posts’ sentiment scores (where negative=-1, neutral=0, and positive=1), was overall positive at 0.47, 95% CI [.41-.52]. Mean sentiment scores between LOTs were significantly different (P<0.001). Information regarding biologics on Reddit is mostly positive; however, there remains a significant number of users expressing dissatisfaction with their efficacy or with biologics in general. Many users sought anecdotal advice.

Conclusion: These findings can help guide educational efforts to anticipate concerns and appease hesitancy regarding biologics and their efficacy.

Did you enjoy this video interview? Find more here.

Aug 06
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What’s New in Skin Rejuvenation

By ODAC Sessions

skin rejuvenation

Regenerative topical products are trending. In a Next Steps in Derm interview, in partnership with the ODAC Dermatology Conference, Terrence Keaney, MD, FAAD, outlines topicals that have rejuvenating properties. Hear Dr. Keaney’s take on exosomes, platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF), and polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), and why these products should only be applied topically. Find out the latest safety data on PDGF, and the current state of PDRN sourcing and efficacy data. Be up to date with your most voguish patient by watching this interview.

Further Reading

If you want to read more about skin rejuvenation, check out the following articles published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology:

Regulatory Landscape of Regenerative Dermatology: Current Frameworks and Future

ABSTRACT

Background: Regenerative dermatology is an emerging subspecialty that seeks to restore the structure and function of healthy skin. The United States lacks comprehensive regulatory guidance for regenerative therapies. This review provides an overview of available therapies within regenerative dermatology, outlining the pathways for approval.

Methods: Articles on regenerative dermatology in PubMed and guidelines issued by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were reviewed with emphasis on those published between June 2020 and June 2025, and results were summarized in narrative format.

Results: In the United States, the FDA is the primary regulatory authority responsible for ensuring the safety and efficacy of regenerative biotherapeutics. Classification of a product as a drug, biologic, device, or cosmetic determines the regulatory pathway it must follow.

Discussion: Cosmetics are intended to promote attractiveness without treating or preventing disease and do not require FDA approval prior to marketing, while drugs and biologics undergo a multi-step process to obtain approval: (1) product development, (2) preclinical testing in a laboratory setting, (3) clinical trials involving human subjects, (4) FDA review, and (5) FDA approval. High-risk devices require a Premarket Approval (PMA), while low-to-moderate risk devices have less stringent requirements.

Conclusion: Regenerative dermatology offers significant therapeutic potential. Regulation is governed by the US FDA and varies according to product classification. Clinicians should counsel patients on safety and efficacy data prior to initiating regenerative treatments.

Exosomes in Cosmetic Dermatology: A Review of Benefits and Challenges

ABSTRACT

Background: Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (30-150 nm in size) that play a critical role in cellular communication, transporting proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells. This literature review focuses on evaluating the potential benefits and limitations of exosomes in enhancing skin health and aesthetics through indications such as skin rejuvenation, hair restoration, and pigmentation disorders.

Methods: A thorough literature search was conducted on PubMed using specific MeSH, including “exosomes,” “aesthetics,” “cosmetic dermatology,” “skin rejuvenation,” “hair growth,” and “wrinkle reduction.” The search was limited to free-access studies published in various countries within the last ten years (2014-2024). As a result, a total of 56 relevant references were identified and reviewed to support the discussion.

Results: There are currently no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved exosomes. This review highlights exosomes’ potential in skin rejuvenation through extracellular matrix production and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) inhibition, as well as in hair restoration by stimulating follicle cell activity and modulating inflammation. Despite these benefits, challenges remain, including inconsistent isolation methods, source variability, and the need for clinical trials to confirm long-term safety and efficacy. The regulatory landscape is evolving, and further research is essential to meet standards before exosomes can be broadly adopted in cosmetic dermatology.

Conclusion: While exosomes hold significant potential for non-invasive cosmetic dermatology, there are challenges that need to be addressed, including the standardization of exosome isolation and characterization, the establishment of safety profiles, and the conduct of extensive clinical trials.

Did you enjoy this video interview? Find more here.

Jul 15
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Beyond “Ozempic Face”: JDD Buzz Commentary

By Aesthetic Dermatology

Ozempic face

If you’ve spent time in clinic recently, you’ve undoubtedly heard it. A patient points to a newly gaunt appearance and asks, “Is this because of my weight loss medication?”

While the social media buzz around “Ozempic face” dominates patient conversations, the clinical reality is far more nuanced. A narrative review in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology evaluated the evidence behind the impact of rapid weight loss on soft tissue and shared guidance for dermatologists in counseling and treating weight loss patients.

In an interview with Next Steps in Derm, authors Sam Fathizadeh, BS, Dr. Melanie D. Palm, and Dr. Deirdre Hooper address the “attribution bias,” where patients—and even some clinicians—frequently blame GLP-1 drugs directly for skin laxity and volume loss. However, studies comparing bariatric surgery, dietary changes, and GLP-1 therapies show broadly similar effects on soft tissue. The primary driver of these changes is the rate and magnitude of rapid weight loss itself, regardless of the method.

The review highlights one area where GLP-1 agents may have a drug-specific effect: dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT). This specialized fat layer is closely integrated with the dermis and directly impacts skin thickness and facial volume. Early data suggests GLP-1 signaling may influence dWAT independently of overall fat loss—a key area of ongoing research for dermatologists.

Questions about weight loss and soft tissue will only multiply as GLP-1 indications expand. Check out the full interview and dive into the original article in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology to stay ahead of the curve.

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