Acne 

Actinic Keratosis 

Aesthetics

Alopecia

Biologic Treatments for Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis 

Atopic Dermatitis 

COVID-19

Chronic Hand Eczema

Drug Watch

Eczema

General Dermatology 

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Melasma

NP and PA

Pediatric Dermatology

Pigmentary Disorders 

Practice Management 

Precision Medicine and Biologics

Prurigo Nodularis

Emerging Therapies Plaque Psoriasis

Treatments for Plaque Psoriasis 

Psoriasis 

Psoriatic Arthritis 

Rare Disease

Rosacea 

Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma)

Skin Cancer

Vitiligo

Wound Care

News

Media

Around the Practice

Between The Lines

Case-Based Peer Perspective

Clinical Case Collective

DermView

Expert Perspectives

Fellows Face Off

Frontline Forum

Medical World News

Patient Perspectives

Podcasts

Readout360

Recognize and Refer

Conferences

Conference Coverage

Conference Listing

Events

Case-Based Roundtable

Publication

Dermatology Times

CME/CE

Resources

DermIQ

Interactive Tools

Job Board

Partner Perspectives

Polls

Editorial Advisory Board

Partners

Subscribe

and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in February 2023. She attended Kent State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism with minors in public relations and creative writing. She enjoys making and listening to music, reading, and spending time with her cats, Astrid and Marceline.

Articles

The TRACE study showed tralokinumab reduced genital AD severity and improved quality of life within 3 months of treatment.

Real-World Data on Tralokinumab Demonstrates Effective Relief for Patients With Atopic Dermatitis Affecting the Genitals

Catch up on coverage from the second day of the 2024 Elevate-Derm West Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Day 2 Recap: Elevate-Derm West 2024

Maddi Hebebrand is an associate editor of 

and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in May 2024. She attended Baldwin Wallace University, studying Media Production and Film, and is now finishing her Masters in Digital Media through Ohio University. When she's not writing, Maddi loves to read, attend concerts and spend time with her family.

From diet recommendations to biologic advancements, Jennifer Hsiao, MD, covered essential updates for treating patients with HS.

Exploring Diet and New Treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

In a session at Elevate-Derm West, Cheever presented on the utilization of AI within dermatology to optimize patient communication and diversify research.

“Is AI Coming for My Job?”: Familiarizing Clinicians with AI Tools and Their Role in Dermatology

About

Advertise

Contact Us

Do Not Sell My Information

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Dermatology Times and Multimedia Medical, LLC

Facebook

Linkedin

Topics

Acne

Pigmentary Disorders

Practice Management

Psoriasis

Psoriatic Arthritis

Rosacea

1rem

Authors

The trial showcased the continued efficacy of apremilast, with 2-year data on the forefront. 

SPROUT Trial Highlights Benefits of Apremilast for Pediatric Psoriasis

Final Thoughts: The Importance of Comparative Studies in AD

Panelists offer concluding insights and emphasize the critical role of comparative studies in advancing atopic dermatitis treatment strategies.

clinical

Video Series

“When we apply the molecular dynamics analysis to rademikibart, and IL-4 receptor alpha [IL-4Rα], we see strong stability of this antibody antigen complex, suggesting that rademikibart truly is a next-generation optimized IL-4Rα inhibitor, and this explains why it has twice the binding affinity to IL-4Rα as dupilumab,” said Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, in an interview with 

Bunick, associate professor of dermatology and translational biomedicine at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, 

’ 2024 Winter Editor in Chief, and study author, presented a poster detailing an in-depth analysis comparing first-generation and second-generation IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) inhibitors, focusing on dupilumab (Dupixent; Sanofi and Regeneron) and rademikibart (Connect Biopharma).

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, highlights rademikibart's next-generation efficacy, showing stronger IL-4Rα binding affinity in atopic dermatitis and asthma. 

Rademikibart Outperforms Dupilumab in IL-4Rα Inhibition With Enhanced Binding Stability and Safety Profile 

Rademikibart is an optimized next-generation human monoclonal antibody targeting IL-4Rα. Recent phase 3 trials have shown that approximately 63% of patients with atopic dermatitis who were treated with rademikibart achieved EASI 75 at week 16 compared to approximately 48% of patients treated with dupilumab.

“The 63% EASI 75 response rate suggests that rademikibart demonstrates a very good initial efficacy; additionally, with 4-week dosing, an unprecedented 91% of patients maintained at least 75% skin clearance through to week 52. These data will push clinicians to demand medications with higher efficacy and a demonstrated safety profile,” said Raúl Collazo, PhD, study author and Vice President of Global Medical Affairs at Connect Biopharma, in a statement to 

In their research, Bunick et al examined the x-ray crystal structure of rademikibart’s fragment antigen-binding (Fab) bound to IL-4Rα and compared it to the complex of dupilumab Fab and IL-4Rα.

“Our data provides a molecular and structural rationale for the enhanced IL-4Rα inhibition by rademikibart over dupilumab which corresponds to rademikibart’s optimized epitope on IL-4Rα that overlaps more closely with the natural IL-4 epitope,” wrote Bunick et al.

Dupilumab, a first-generation inhibitor, binds to IL-4Rα at a key site where IL-4 and IL-13 interact. Molecular dynamics modeling showed a moderate stability of the dupilumab- IL-4Rα.

Rademikibart, as a second-generation IL-4Rα inhibitor, showed notable advancements. Using X-ray crystallography, Bunick’s team observed a 60-degree rotational shift in rademikibart’s binding to IL-4Rα, enabling it to engage fully with IL-4 and IL-13 interaction domains, including domain 1, domain 2, and a small hinge region. Molecular dynamics further confirmed rademikibart’s superior binding stability compared to dupilumab, highlighting its optimized epitope design.

“Rademikibart binds to unique epitopes when compared to dupilumab. The unique binding demonstrated in this molecular structure study may explain differences seen in asthma studies where eosinophils are decreased with rademikibart rather than increased, as seen with dupilumab, where hypereosinophilia has been reported,” said Collazo.

According to Bunick, the structural optimization of rademikibart translates into twice the binding affinity of rademikibart to IL-4Rα, supporting its potential as an advanced therapeutic option. Early studies in atopic dermatitis and asthma have shown promising results, with rademikibart showing enhanced efficacy and a favorable safety profile, particularly in asthma, positioning it as a next-generation treatment in inflammatory conditions.

“These data provide a molecular and structural rationale for the enhanced IL-4Rα inhibition by rademikibart over dupilumab, confirming rademikibart as an optimized second-generation IL-4Rα inhibitor. This enhanced inhibition may lead to better efficacy in many atopic disorders related to Type 2 inflammation like atopic dermatitis and eosinophilic driven asthma or COPD,” concluded Collazo.

Shi Y, Ho M, Li H, Collazo R, Bunick CG. Optimized second-generation IL-4Rα inhibition: structural and molecular dynamics properties of rademikibart Fab-IL-4Rα complex. Poster presented at: Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference; October 24-27; Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rademikibart (CBP-201). Connect Biopharma. Accesed November 1, 2024. 

https://www.connectbiopharm.com/rademikibart/

Rademikibart, a next-generation IL-4Rα inhibitor, demonstrates superior binding affinity and stability compared to dupilumab, attributed to its optimized epitope design. Molecular dynamics and X-ray crystallography reveal a 60-degree rotational shift in rademikibart's binding, enhancing its interaction with IL-4 and IL-13 domains. Clinical trials show rademikibart's efficacy in atopic dermatitis, with 63% achieving EASI 75 at week 16 and 91% maintaining skin clearance through week 52. These findings suggest rademikibart's potential as an advanced therapeutic option for inflammatory conditions.

Rademikibart Differentiates From Dupilumab With Optimized IL-4Rα Inhibition and Enhanced Binding Stability

 recently traveled to the town of La Roche-Posay in France to learn more about the science behind La Roche-Posay's skin care products containing its unique thermal water. Along the way, we caught up with Jeanine Downie, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Image Dermatology in Montclair, New Jersey; DiAnne Davis, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Hopkins Dermatology in Southlake, Texas; and Hope Mitchell, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at and founder of Mitchell Dermatology in Perrysburg, Ohio.

At La Roche-Posay's flagship store, Downie, Davis, and Mitchell shared what products they recommend for their patients with dry skin, eczema, acne, and sensitive skin.

Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Lipikar Wash AP+ Moisturizing Body & Face Wash

Dermatologists Jeanine Downie, DiAnne Davis, and Hope Mitchell reveal the La Roche-Posay products they recommend to patients with dry skin, eczema, and more

Dermatology Times in France: What La Roche-Posay Products Dermatologists Recommend for Eczema, Acne 

 docs, Dr. Jeanine Downie here from Montclair, New Jersey, one of your board-certified fellow dermatologists. I'm at La Roche-Posay at the actual store in La Roche-Posay, France, talking about some of the things that I really love from LRP that you might be missing out on recommending to your patients. So, number one, this new cleansing oil is wonderful. Thankfully for me I can read French so that is huile levant, which is cleansing oil. It's a great body wash, it's a great face wash, my patients really love it, and it's very moisturizing for winter. Stepping over to number two, Lipikar I use all winter long. It is a great moisturizer for the body not for the face. I think it's too heavy on my face but I'm acne prone so everybody can speak for themselves. And number three, the Anthelios and I'm showing that one but quite frankly the Anthelios spray is something I use all summer, every summer all over my body. And then I like the melting milk for my face, my ears, my neck, and the backs of my hands.

: Hi everyone. It's Dr. DiAnne Davis, board-certified dermatologist in practice in Dallas, Texas. And we are here at La Roche-Posay. That is in France and we're at the La Roche-Posay center. We are at the flagship store with all of our favorite products. Some of these I know and love, some of them you all may know and love. The top of my list is Lipikar AP+ lotion. It's super hydrating, great for patients with really dry skin, eczema-prone skin, or just if they have dry elbows and heels. I also love Lipikar AP+ wash. This is a lipid-replenishing cream wash here in France. Of course, it's a little bit of a different name for us back in the US. But again, great for hydrating the skin, especially for those patients who take those super hot showers even though we tell them not to. And if they need another option, the Cicaplast balm B5 is also at the top of my list for top three for dry, eczema-prone skin during these winter months.

: Hi there Dr. Hope Mitchell here, board-certified dermatologist out of Toledo, Ohio, and I am right here at the La Roche-Posay flagship store. I am so excited to talk to you about two products that I absolutely love and that I recommend to my patients every day that I'm in practice. The first one is Cicaplast balm. I love, love, love this product because it can be used to do lots of things, especially heal dry skin. I love to repair the skin barrier with this product. I have patients use it for burns, irritations, my sensitive skin patients can use it. I even have patients who love to use it like it's a moisturizer right after cleansing, so highly effective. Great for all skin types. I absolutely love this product. My second favorite product is the Effaclarbrand and this is a great product for my patients that have acne. Lots of my patients who come in with clogged pores and breakouts love this product. It works well for all skin types. It comes in a serum and a cream. It can be used daily. And after that I usually have my patients apply moisturizer. It could be the Cicaplast moisturizer. So those are two of my tips, thanks for watching!

[Transcript lightly edited for space and clarity]

1. Our story. La Roche-Posay. Accessed February 8, 2024. 

https://www.laroche-posay.us/our-story.html

2. Eczema & dry skin. La Roche-Posay. Accessed February 8, 2024. 

https://www.laroche-posay.us/expert-advice/skincare-tips-and-advice/eczema-dry-skin

Dermatologists Jeanine Downie, DiAnne Davis, and Hope Mitchell share their recommended La Roche-Posay products for various skin conditions. Downie highlights the Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil, Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer, and Anthelios Lotion Spray Sunscreen. Davis emphasizes the Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer, Lipikar Wash AP+, and Cicaplast Gel B5 Skin Protectant. Mitchell recommends Cicaplast Gel B5 Skin Protectant and Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash. These products are praised for their efficacy in treating dry skin, eczema, acne, and sensitive skin.

Dermatologists Jeanine Downie, DiAnne Davis, and Hope Mitchell reveal the La Roche-Posay products they recommend to patients with dry skin, eczema, and more, at the flagship store in France.  

Hyperhidrosis is not rare. According to the 

, approximately 385 million people worldwide live with hyperhidrosis.

In fact, they note that the amount of people living with chronic, excessive sweating is even higher than the amount of people living with other dermatologic conditions like psoriasis.

Just how common is hyperhidrosis in real-world comparisons?

The prevalence of hyperhidrosis is much higher in younger populations than in the general population, with 8.8% of individuals between the ages of 18 to 39 years old living with the condition. 

When comparing these statistics to everyday, common occurrences like hair color, the number of people with hyperhidrosis is greater than the 1% of individuals with natural red hair and 2% of individuals with natural blond hair. 

Despite how common hyperhidrosis is, it is estimated that 27% of those with the condition never receive a diagnosis.

 wants to hear from you. What percentage of the global population is estimated to have hyperhidrosis?

 to share your hyperhidrosis insights or research.

Albert. Fact check: Hyperhidrosis - International Hyperhidrosis Society: Official site. Home - International Hyperhidrosis Society. October 24, 1970. Accessed November 16, 2023. 

https://www.sweathelp.org/home/news-blog/542-fact-check-hyperhidrosis.html

Hyperhidrosis affects approximately 385 million people globally, surpassing the prevalence of other dermatologic conditions like psoriasis. It is notably more common in younger populations, with 8.8% of individuals aged 18 to 39 experiencing the condition. Comparatively, hyperhidrosis is more prevalent than natural red or blond hair, which affects 1% and 2% of the population, respectively. Despite its prevalence, 27% of those with hyperhidrosis remain undiagnosed. The article encourages engagement during Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month to share insights and research on the condition.

Click here to answer this week's poll for Hyperhidrosis Awareness Month.

Polls 

POLL: What Percent of the Global Population is Estimated to Have Hyperhidrosis?

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) has been a popular topic in both dermatology and consumer headlines within the past week, specifically from news of 

high levels of benzene found in BPO-containing acne products

 such as cleansers and lotions. Valisure, an independent testing laboratory in Connecticut, tested 66 BPO products and found high levels of benzene when BPO products were incubated at 37°C (98.6°F: body temperature), 50°C (122°F: accepted pharmaceutical stability testing temperature) and 70°C (158°F: hot car temperature).

 have been criticized by some, as questions were raised about testing products at such high temperatures. Valisure has been transparent about the reason for the temperatures in their stability testing, writing, “The purpose of stability studies is not to copy the conditions of an average consumer, rather, the purpose is to ensure the product is safe to use for the entire products lifecycle, from manufacturing through distribution to its expiration date, often a total of 3 years for pharmaceutical products. Products must be stable during this entire time and through all the possible ‘bumps’ along the road. It is common to condense the total stability of a product intended for multiple years of use by performing ‘accelerated’ stability studies that elevate the temperature for a few months. For example, according to publicly available calculators, 3 years of room temperature stability is equal to about 169 days at 50°C (122°F). Valisure broadly observed dramatically high levels of benzene in only 18 days at 50°C.”

Valisure also noted that the FDA specifically prefers this testing approach, which is outlined in its 

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology and physician-scientist at the Yale School of Medicine, has closely followed benzene contamination news in dermatology since the first detection of 

. At the 2024 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, Bunick presented updates on benzene in BPO to an overflowing room of attendees looking for more information and data. Bunick has no financial disclosures related to Valisure, and is passionate about providing dermatologists with up-to-date information to help better inform their patients.

Bunick began with a history of benzene through academic papers, starting with a German paper from 1936 that evaluated the thermal decomposition of diacyl peroxides, which BPO is a diacyl peroxide. In 1997, Akzo Nobel filed for a patent for the “Reduction of benzene formation in dibenzoyl peroxide formulations.”

“Recently, however, it has been discovered that BPO formulations such as pastes, emulsions, and suspensions based on organic plasticizers, whether in the presence or absence of water, show continuously increasing levels of free benzene throughout their useful lifetime. This free benzene is formed due to the slow decomposition of the BPO over time,” wrote Akzo Nobel.

From their patent application, Akzo also wrote that the minimization of benzene’s formulation is highly desirable due to its known carcinogenic properties.

“Almost 20 to 30 years ago, a company was trying to solve the benzoyl peroxide decomposition problem,” said Bunick.

As a result of these studies, the FDA did complete an investigation, but they did not fully deem BPO safe. After animal testing, it was found that “Benzoyl peroxide is a tumor promoter in several animal species. The significance of this finding in humans is unknown,” a statement that is now added to the nonclinical toxicology section of BPO-containing product’s package label.

USP released a statement on March 8, 2024

, related to the benzene testing from Valisure, stating that benzene contamination should be taken seriously, but that if changes are made to a USP method, complete validation data is needed to prove a product meets USP standards.

“Perhaps the most important line in this entire statement is the next one: ‘It is important to note that USP standards are applicable during the entire shelf life of the product, not just at the time of release,’” said Bunick. “The problem with the USP statement is that the FDA already rejected their methods as not being good enough, and you wouldn’t know that unless you read the FDA’s statement."

In 2020, the FDA rejected USP’s method of gas chromatography- flame ionization detection (GC-FID) for benzene analysis, which is a method that has less precision and accuracy.

The FDA industry standard of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which is more accurate, is the method Valisure chose to use in its recent petition.

The findings of benzene in BPO products were validated by 3 different labs using 4 different technology platforms, including GC-MS, GC-HRMS, HPLC, and SIFT-MS. Bunick shared updates that CBS News followed up with the labs, and 2 of the 3 confirmed Valisure’s results when contacted.

“There’s been concerns that superficially when you look at the petition, that it’s all about elevated temperatures. That’s not true. Benzene was also found extensively at room temperature on the shelf/off the shelf. The focus of the petition is stability studies,” said Bunick.

Of the 66 products tested at day 0 at room temperature, 10 of the products had more than 10 parts per million of benzene, and 19 products had more than 2 parts per million of benzene. According to Bunick, the problem with BPO is degradation, not contamination. He also reminded attendees that while the FDA “allows” up to 2 parts per million of benzene, that is 

 if it is absolutely necessary to manufacture said product. Bunick added that with so many other acne treatments available, it is not absolutely necessary to manufacture BPO with such unsafe levels of benzene, even at 2 parts per million.

Stability testing is not meant to replicate consumer use or “real-world” use, it’s intended to evaluate the full, 3-year product “life cycle.” 3-year stability at room temperature is equal to 169 days at 50°C or 122°F which is based on industry standards. It is a regulatory requirement to perform stability testing on products and should be conducted on products under normal storage conditions, or, preferably, under exaggerated conditions, according to the FDA.

However, in some cases, stability testing does overlap with real-world outcomes. Bunick shared new data for the first time today that demonstrated that of 5 BPO products tested at 37°C (98.6°F), or human skin temperature, 1 product had more than 10 parts per million of benzene, and all 5 had over 2 parts per million of benzene.

When considering Valisure’s testing, Bunick pointed out that every time Valisure detected a carcinogen in consumer products, some form of a recall followed.

Bunick noted that many people have questioned who is Valisure. Valisure is a company hired by the United States Department of Defense to check the quality of drugs for the United States military. Their number one funder is drug purchasers, according to Bunick, because these companies want to know what they are buying is safe.

Bunick wrapped up his session by reviewing recent benzene studies and news items, all of which called out benzene’s associated risk with various cancers such as leukemia. Regulatory agencies such as the CDC, WHO, EPA, and NOSH have all made similar statements that benzene is a known human carcinogen.

December 2023, the FDA released new guidance for industry

 for the reformulation of drug products containing carbomers manufactured with benzene. The FDA has also proposed a ban on 

hair-straightening products containing formaldehyde

, another carcinogen, with the proposed ban expected in April 2024.

“So, what does this all mean and what am I going to advise for patients? I will say we as a community have to see what is validated. I do not necessarily think at this moment that no one should use benzoyl peroxide. I think there has to be a proportional response until more data comes out,” said Bunick.

He concluded, "With Valisure’s agreement, that for those providers and patients who wish to continue benzoyl peroxide-containing products, that a proportional response at this time would be to keep the product refrigerated at all times, renew the medicine every 3 to 6 months, and avoid heated storage. This will not necessarily eliminate all benzene, but should slow its decomposition. This measure gives the medical community a chance to await further investigation and recommendations.”

At AAD 2024, Linda Stein Gold, MD, added in a statement to 

: "Benzoyl peroxide has been a staple in our acne treatment armamentarium. We take the recent information regarding benzene very seriously. This warrants a thorough review to understand the potential implications."

The importance of stability testing. News release. Valisure. March 6, 2024. Accessed March 11, 2024. 

https://www.valisure.com/valisure-newsroom/the-importance-of-stability-testing

Bunick C. Discussion of new findings in benzene in BPO-containing products. Presented at: 2024 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 8-12, 2024; San Diego, CA.

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) products have been found to contain high levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, when subjected to stability testing at elevated temperatures. Valisure's findings, validated by multiple labs, have sparked debate over testing methods and the safety of BPO products. The FDA has not fully deemed BPO safe, citing its potential as a tumor promoter. Experts recommend cautious use of BPO, suggesting refrigeration and frequent renewal to mitigate benzene exposure. Regulatory bodies continue to address benzene's risks, with ongoing investigations and potential reformulations.

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, presented updates and new data on the recent news of benzene found in benzoyl peroxide products. 

Updates on Benzene in Benzoyl Peroxide Products at AAD 

“Rare Disease Day raises awareness for the 300 million people living with rare diseases around the world and their families and carers. Relatively common symptoms can hide underlying rare diseases, leading to misdiagnosis and [delayed] treatment,” writes the 

Rare Disease Day has been observed globally every year on the last day of February since its creation in 2008. This year, Rare Disease Day is observed on February 29, and it is an opportunity to work toward increased awareness.

One of the emerging methods for further studying, analyzing, and detecting rare diseases and their characteristics is through artificial intelligence (AI).

Joseph Zabinski, PhD, MEM, the managing director of AI and personalized medicine at 

OM1, a real-world data, AI, and technology company with a focus on chronic diseases

, and Stefan Weiss, MD, MBA, FAAD, the managing director of dermatology at OM1, exclusively share their expertise into AI’s capabilities in dermatology and specifically, rare diseases such as generalized pustular psoriasis. Zabinski and Weiss also address the common concern of with so many AI platforms available: How can clinicians trust AI’s data and learn from its insights?

Navigating Rare Dermatologic Diseases Using AI

There are a few issues that come up when we are trying to understand rare dermatologic diseases from the data access perspective and the patient journey perspective. The first is that patients with rare diseases tend to languish for long periods of time, sometimes going years without a diagnosis or having been misdiagnosed in another disease category. In both cases, this means we cannot access those patients’ data as far back in the record as we would like to so we can see where they began their disease states until they reach an accurate diagnosis. However, this is an area where having AI tools to help us look for undiagnosed or misdiagnosed patients can be helpful. Another point with respect to data accessibility is that in a lot of conditions that are more common, there are sometimes rare subtypes of the disease that may be hiding in large populations and in large datasets. Unless we have good tools that can pull out and isolate the patients who belong in those rare subtypes, they can get lost in the noise. It is not something you worry about so much with larger disease states where population average characteristics may be more important, but certainly, in the rare disease instance, it is quite important.

OM1’s Patient Finder is quite an exciting tool. It does what it says: find patients. It is built using our digital phenotyping AI technology, PhenOM. We can use PhenOM to understand patterning and signaling information in patients’ data histories, just like we might understand a patient’s genetic code by using genotyping, for example. If we can lay out the information in those patients’ histories and then use this digital phenotyping technology, we can ask, “What are some of the data elements that are unique for this patient and perhaps associated with a characteristic or an outcome of interest that that patient also has in their record?”

In the case of rare disease, we might collect a group of hundreds or thousands of patients with a rare disease and ask, “Using this technology, what data characteristics were present in this patient’s past before they reached a point of diagnosis that may have signaled that that’s where they were headed?” In other words, could we detect early warning signals? Patient Finder compresses those sets of signaling information into digital phenotypes; I think of them as fingerprints. Once we have the fingerprint for the disease, we can then compare new patients’ records to it.

This is where Patient Finder is powerful in deployment. We can use it to look at health system data and we can use it to look at other novel datasets, but once it understands that reference fingerprint, we have the ability to call out patients who are highly likely to match that fingerprint, meaning they are highly likely to have the condition that we’re looking for, even if they haven’t been diagnosed yet. By being able to call them out we can study them further, or, in clinical implementation, patients can be contacted, and if they consent, can proceed with diagnostic evaluation and potentially receive a diagnosis.

Improving Data Collection of Undiagnosed Conditions

Rare Disease Day aims to raise awareness for the 300 million people affected by rare diseases globally. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a valuable tool in identifying and diagnosing rare diseases, such as generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). OM1's Patient Finder, utilizing digital phenotyping, helps identify undiagnosed patients by analyzing data patterns. This tool enhances data collection, improves diagnosis, and aids in clinical trials. AI's role is to assist clinicians, not replace them, by providing insights into patient care and treatment options, fostering trust in AI applications.

From the February cover: Joseph Zabinski, PhD, MEM, and Stefan Weiss, MD, MBA, FAAD, share their expertise into AI’s capabilities in dermatology and specifically, rare diseases such as generalized pustular psoriasis.

Shauna Jardon, PharmD

Articles

Latest Updated Articles