Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

The AAD in March 2022 was the first in-person AAD after 2 years of virtual meetings. Colleagues were so pleased to see each other and the congress felt like a great success.

All the new developments in dermatology made this AAD highly needed and rewarding. New findings were presented on the pathogenesis of diseases of the skin, the discovery of biomarkers, and new pathogenesis-targeted treatments. In addition to these discoveries, the implementation of innovations in real clinical practice was addressed. Real-world evidence studies informed us of the actual relevance of the innovations in real clinical practice.

Of all diseases, the progress made in vitiligo is like a revolution: “there is light at the end of the tunnel” with the various small molecules resulting in new topical and systemic treatments. Treatment options for vitiligo have expanded significantly.

In psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, the new insights go hand in hand with the development of pathogenesis-based treatments.  The introduction of great new treatments in atopic dermatitis feels overwhelmingly new and promising. In psoriasis, pathogenesis-based treatments have been available for some while and long-term disease modification and early intervention are getting more attention.

The general impression of AAD 2022 is that of advancing insights into diseases and treatments, and enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin.

Best regards,

Peter CM van de Kerkhof

 

Biography

Peter C.M. van de Kerkhof is emeritus Professor of Dermatology and immediate past chairman of the Department of Dermatology of Radboud University Nijmegen. He is currently the coordinating Medical Officer of the International Psoriasis Council and chair of the scientific advisory board of the Dutch burn association. He has been working for many years on the pathogenesis and treatment of psoriasis. He has published more than 700 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has given many presentations on invitation at international conferences. He has served as president of the ESDR, EDF, and the International Psoriasis Council, and was a board member of various international societies. Current interests are pathogenesis and development of biomarkers for psoriasis; real clinical practice research; and personalised medicine.

Conflict of Interest Statement:Consultancy services for: Celgene, Almirall, Amgen, Pfizer, Philips, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Novartis, Janssen Biotech, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma,Sandoz, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Sandoz, Bristol Meyer Squibb, UCB, Dermavant.Speaker services for: Celgene, Almirall, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Jansen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Sandoz, Bristol Meyer Squibb.



Posted on 17 May, 202223 May, 2022