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.

According to a recent study, deucravacitinib showed sustained efficacy and exhibited consistent safety, with no new safety concerns identified over a 2-year period. This study’s results were published in the journal, The British Journal of Dermatology.

POETYK long-term extension (LTE) was a phase IIIb open-label trial in which patients diagnosed with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who successfully completed PSO-1 or PSO-2 were administered deucravacitinib 6 mg once daily. Safety assessments were conducted based on adverse events (AEs) and abnormalities in laboratory parameters. The efficacy endpoints of the study included achieving a ≥ 75% reduction from the baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (PASI 75) and a static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) score of 0/1 (clear/almost clear). They were evaluated in patients initially randomized to deucravacitinib, those who switched from placebo at week 16, and those who attained PASI 75 at week 24 (peak efficacy).

A total of 1519 patients were administered at least one dose of deucravacitinib; 39.9% and 79.0%  had ≥ 104 and ≥ 52 weeks of total deucravacitinib exposure, respectively. The exposure-adjusted incidence rates (EAIRs) per 100 person-years were similar at 1 year and 2 years for various adverse events (229.2 vs 154.4), serious AEs (5.7 vs 6.1), deaths (0.2 vs 0.4), discontinuations (4.4 vs 2.8), herpes zoster (0.9 vs 0.8), serious infections (1.7 vs 2.6), venous thromboembolic events (0.2 vs 0.1), major adverse cardiovascular events (0.3 vs 0.4), and malignancies (1.0 vs 0.9). Patients who received continuous deucravacitinib treatment from baseline maintained clinical responses (PASI 75- week 52: 72.4%, week 112:79.7%; sPGA 0/1- week 52: 57.9%, week 112: 61.1%).

Thus, it can be concluded that deucravacitinib maintained efficacy and its safety profile remained consistent over a period of two years, with no new safety concerns being observed.