A recent study found that in patients with severe alopecia areata (AA), baricitinib demonstrated a high level of efficacy maintenance for a duration of 104 weeks. The effectiveness notably escalated in Week-52 mixed responders, underscoring the significance of long-term treatment needed to observe the maximum benefit in certain patients. This study’s results were published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Data from the BRAVE-AA1 and BRAVE-AA2 Phase 3 trials was integrated, involving adults with Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores of 50 or higher (indicating ≥50% scalp hair loss) who were randomly assigned to receive and consistently take either 2-mg or 4-mg baricitinib up to Week 104. Patients who were eligible to continue receiving treatment were those who had a SALT score of ≤20 at Week 52 [N=65, 2-mg dose; N=129, 4-mg dose; Week-52 responders]. Additionally, patients who received the 4-mg dose and initially had a SALT score >20 at Week 52 but achieved SALT score ≤20 at previous visits and/or had significant improvement in eyebrow or eyelash hair growth compared to their baseline by Week 52 were also considered for continuous treatment [N=110; Week-52 mixed responders]. The Week-104 outcomes were assessed based on the proportion of patients who achieved a SALT score of ≤20 (indicating ≤20% scalp hair loss).

At Week 104, 90.7% of patients treated with 4 mg of baricitinib and 89.2% of those treated with 2 mg of baricitinib who responded positively at Week 52 maintained a SALT score of ≤20. Among the mixed responders at Week 52, 39.1% achieved a SALT score of ≤20 by Week 104. Enhanced eyelash and eyebrow regrowth was consistently noted in every group.

Thus, it can be concluded that over a duration of 104 weeks, baricitinib showcased a remarkable ability to maintain efficacy in patients with severe AA. Notably, Week-52 mixed responders experienced an increase in efficacy, emphasizing the necessity of long-term treatment to observe the maximum benefits in specific individuals.

A recent study found that Bonito elastin peptide (VGPG Elastin®) when taken orally has been shown to diminish fine wrinkles, lower melanin levels, and improve skin hydration. This study’s results were published in the journal, Skin research and technology.

In this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 100 participants were randomly divided into two groups, with one group receiving a test product that contained 100 mg of Bonito elastin peptide (VGPG Elastin®), while the other group received a placebo. The parameters of hydration, skin wrinkles, and brightening (melanin index) were measured at the start of the study and subsequently at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the intervention.

After 12 weeks of intervention, the test group demonstrated considerable enhancements in average skin roughness, maximum peak height of the wrinkle, maximum peak-to-valley values,  average maximum height of the wrinkle, maximum valley depth of the wrinkle, and eye wrinkle volume when compared to the placebo group. Additionally, skin hydration levels improved, and the melanin index was significantly lower in the test group than in the placebo group. Notably, no adverse events related to the test product were reported by any participant.

Thus, it can be concluded that oral consumption of Bonito elastin peptide (VGPG Elastin®) effectively reduces the appearance of fine wrinkles, decrease melanin index, and improve skin hydration. These findings suggest that it may be a potential treatment option for combating wrinkles, dryness, and pigmentation issues.

A recent study found that deucravacitinib (DEUC) was more efficacious compared to both placebo and apremilast in the treatment of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis, with favorable tolerability. This study’s results were published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

The global 52-week, double blinded, phase 3 trials, POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2, involved a total of 1084 adults with moderate to severe psoriasis. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral placebo, DEUC 6 mg once daily, or apremilast 30 mg twice daily in a 1:2:1 ratio. The Physician Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 (0/1) for the scalp, ≥90% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index, and the change in Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index compared to baseline were evaluated in this pooled secondary analysis. Adverse events were evaluated up to week 16.

At week 16, DEUC demonstrated higher response rates for scalp-specific Physician Global Assessment 0/1 compared to placebo or apremilast(64.0% vs 17.3% vs 37.7%). Additionally, there was a significant improvement of ≥90% from baseline in Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index with DEUC compared to placebo or apremilast (50.6% vs 10.5% vs 26.1%) and change from baseline in Psoriasis Scalp Severity Index was also observed. These positive responses were consistently maintained throughout the 52-week duration with continuous DEUC treatment. The safety profile of DEUC remained consistent with the entire study population.

Thus, it can be concluded that DEUC demonstrated superior efficacy in treating moderate to severe scalp psoriasis when compared to both placebo and apremilast, while also being well-tolerated.