Eingun James Song, MD, is the director of clinical research for Frontier Dermatology. 

Discussing Future of Amlitelimab, OX40/OX40L Treatment, With Eingun James Song, MD

This interview with Eingun James Song, MD, the director of clinical research for Frontier Dermatology, highlights Song’s views on the OX40/OX40 ligand pathway and OX-40-targeted therapies such as amlitelimab.

2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

 in Denver, Song was asked how he views the potential benefit of Sanofi's amlitelimab, for which they are moving ahead with regulatory submissions, in light of discontinuing rocatinlimab due to sarcoma cases.

“Everything that we have right now in atopic dermatitis is working on more downstream cytokines that are being released by these Th2 cells, by and large,” Song said. “...They are effective, but what oftentimes happens is when you stop the medication, the disease comes back relatively quickly.”

Song discusses OX-40-targeted therapies as a newer approach, intervening at the place at which the antigen-presenting cells interact with T cells. The idea, Song expressed, is if one could block the process at this stage, then a more durable remission could take place even when patients discontinue a treatment. Song reiterated his view on this type of therapy as a novel approach.

“There's potential for at least amlitelimab, which is an OX40-ligand inhibitor, that you can dose these patients every four or even every twelve weeks,” Song explained. “...Now that being said, it's important to note that there are two drugs that work on this pathway. One is called rocatinlimab, which is an OX40 receptor blocker, but it's also a depleter. It depletes those T cells. And that could maybe explain some of the adverse events that we've seen with rocatinlimab.”

Overall, Song expressed optimism on amletilimab’s having a role in dermatology care. Its implementation in treatment sequencing remains to be seen, Song suggested, but he noted his cautious optimism for this drug’s benefits for the right patient.

Song has reported serving as an investigator, consultant, and/or speaker for AbbVie, Alphyn Biologics, Amgen, Apogee, Arcutis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dermavant, DermBiont, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, LEO Pharma, MoonLake, Novartis, Ortho, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Timber Pharmaceuticals, and UCB.

Press Release: Sanofi’s amlitelimab met all primary and key secondary endpoints in the COAST 1 phase 3 study in adults and adolescents with atopic dermatitis. Sanofi.com. Published 2025. Accessed April 3, 2026. 

https://www.sanofi.com/en/media-room/press-releases/2025/2025-09-04-05-00-00-3144170

Kyowa Kirin announces discontinuation of rocatinlimab clinical trials. News release. Kyowa Kirin. March 3, 2026. Accessed April 3, 2026. 

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/03/3248303/0/en/Kyowa-Kirin-Announces-Discontinuation-of-Rocatinlimab-Clinical-Trials.html

Videos

In this AAD interview, Song highlights how he views the potential benefit of amlitelimab in light of discontinuing rocatinlimab.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis condition center page, audiences can find a variety of coverage mediums for medical news and updates, including articles, video interviews, podcasts, and breaking news on dermatitis research, treatment, and drug development.

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Victoria Johnson joined MJH Life Sciences in 2020 and has written for NeurologyLive, CGTLive, and is now an assistant managing editor for HCPLive and RheumatologyLive. She doesn’t have enough time for her numerous hobbies. You can reach her at vjohnson@mjhlifesciences.com.

Atopic dermatitis commanded a substantial share of the late-breaking program at the 

 held in Denver, Colorado, from March 27-31, with data spanning the full arc of the therapeutic pipeline — from approved agents accumulating long-term real-world and extension data to investigational mechanisms that could reshape how the disease is managed altogether. Two themes ran through much of the atopic dermatitis  program: the continued push to extend treatment options to younger pediatric populations, where approved choices remain limited, and a growing body of evidence on durability that moves the field's benchmark from short-term response to sustained, multi-year disease control. Here are 6 updates from the meeting that clinicians managing atopic dermatitis should know.

Tapinarof Cream Clears Skin, Eases Itch Within 1 Week in Kids as Young as 2

Data from the pivotal phase 3 ADORING 1 and ADORING 2 trials, discussed at AAD 2026 by Linda Stein Gold, MD, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health System, showed that once-daily tapinarof cream 1% demonstrated early and sustained improvements in both disease signs and symptoms, including itch, in patients aged 2 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis — a population in which approximately 80% of trial participants were children or adolescents and the study cohort was racially and ethnically diverse with high representation of patients with skin of color. Clinical improvements were observed as early as week 1, with skin clearance and itch relief continuing to accrue over the full 8-week treatment period. The nonsteroidal mechanism addresses a longstanding need for steroid-sparing topical options that can be applied continuously to any body site, including the face, without the safety concerns that have historically limited corticosteroid use in young children.

Late-Breaking Data Highlight Nemolizumab Efficacy in Children With Atopic Dermatitis

Phase 2 data presented in a late-breaking session by Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, professor of dermatology and pediatrics at UC San Diego and chief of pediatric dermatology at Rady Children's Hospital, showed that nemolizumab was well tolerated and effective in children aged 2 to 11 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, producing clinically meaningful and sustained reductions in skin lesions and itch for up to a year.  IGA 0/1 was observed as early as week 4, with 41–47% of patients achieving it by week 16 — responses sustained through week 52. Skin lesion reductions were considered clinically meaningful at week 4 and were sustained through week 52, and clinically meaningful reductions in itch were noted at week 1 and similarly sustained through week 52, with no serious adverse events reported. The findings extend nemolizumab's established profile in adults and adolescents down to a younger population with limited approved options, setting the stage for potential label expansion of the IL-31Rα antagonist.

Tolerability of Roflumilast Cream 0.05% in Infants with Eczema, With Lawrence Eichenfield, MD

REZOLVE-AD: Rezpegaldesleukin Shows Consistent Efficacy Across Atopic Dermatitis Severity

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, FAAD, associate professor at Rosalind Franklin University and founder and director of the Center for Medical Dermatology and Immunology Research in Chicago, presented phase 2b REZOLVE-AD findings showing rezpegaldesleukin achieved dose-dependent, statistically significant improvements in atopic dermatitis outcomes across both moderate and severe disease — with consistent EASI responses observed regardless of baseline severity, geographic region, or asthma comorbidity status. On the primary endpoint, the highest-dose arm achieved a 61% mean EASI reduction versus 31% for placebo (

 <.001). Chovatiya highlighted the consistency across baseline vIGA scores of 3 and 4 as a potential differentiator from standard-of-care biologics, which can show attenuated responses in more severe patients. The phase 3 ZENITH-AD program is in final planning with initiation expected in Q2 2026, with Chovatiya noting that the Treg-modulating mechanism raises the prospect of extended dosing intervals or treatment breaks — a meaningfully different proposition from the continuous cytokine inhibition model that defines the current standard of care.

REZOLVE-AD: Rezpegaldesleukin Shows Consistent Efficacy Across Atopic Dermatitis Severity, With Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD

TRACE: Tralokinumab Data for Atopic Dermatitis in Skin of Color

A post-hoc analysis from the TRACE real-world study, presented by April Armstrong, MD, MPH, professor and chief of dermatology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, found that 80.4% of patients with skin of color and moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who were treated with tralokinumab achieved at least 1 clinically meaningful disease control endpoint — defined as IGA 0/1, EASI ≤7, or SCORAD <10 — at 12 months. Across the overall study population of 824 patients, 91% achieved at least 1 moderate treatment target after 12 months of tralokinumab use, with approximately three-quarters meeting both clinician-reported and patient-reported moderate endpoints and nearly half attaining optimal targets consistent with minimal disease activity. The skin of color analysis carries particular clinical weight given the historically underrepresented enrollment of Fitzpatrick type IV–VI patients in AD trials and the distinct disease manifestations — including lichenification and postinflammatory dyspigmentation — that can complicate assessment and management in this population.

TRACE: Tralokinumab Data for Atopic Dermatitis in Skin of Color, With April Armstrong, MD, MPH

RADIANT-AD: Rademikibart Effective Over 52 Weeks in Atopic Dermatitis

Cheng Zhou, MD, of Peking University People's Hospital and an investigator in the RADIANT-AD trial, described phase 3 results showing rademikibart produced rapid, clinically meaningful improvements in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, with responses that continued to deepen and were sustained through 52 weeks rather than reaching an early plateau. EASI-75 response at week 16 was 74.2% versus 34.4% for placebo, with antipruritic effects and skin lesion clearance also observed at week 16 and maintained through week 52. Notably, rademikibart was associated with lower rates of conjunctivitis — 3.9% at week 16 and 6.3% at week 52 — compared with other agents in its class, addressing a known concern with IL-4/IL-13 pathway inhibition. No FDA submission timeline has been publicly disclosed, as the trial was conducted in China by partner Simcere Pharmaceutical.

Lebrikizumab for Atopic Dermatitis Leads to 4 Years of Clearance, Itch Reduction

Interim findings from the first year of the ongoing phase 3b ADlong study, presented at AAD, showed that 94% of patients achieved meaningful skin improvement (EASI-75) with up to 4 years of lebrikizumab treatment, with 75% achieving near-complete skin clearance (EASI-90) and 78% experiencing meaningful itch relief (Pruritus NRS ≤4). Notably, these outcomes were largely achieved with monotherapy, as 77% of those assessed did not require concomitant systemic or topical treatments, and approximately 80% maintained disease control without the use of topical corticosteroids — with 80% of subjects achieving clinical responses while on once-monthly injections. Safety in the first year of ADlong was consistent with lebrikizumab's established profile, with no new signals identified. The ADlong study remains ongoing with an additional year of follow-up planned.

Articles

Atopic dermatitis therapeutics are increasingly defined by earlier onset eligibility and longer durability benchmarks. Pediatric expansion featured prominently, with rapid-onset itch and lesion control reported for topical tapinarof and the IL‑31Rα antagonist nemolizumab down to age 2 years, both sustaining clinically meaningful effects over extended follow-up. Multiple biologic and immunomodulatory programs emphasized consistent efficacy across baseline severity and real-world populations, including skin of color. Long-horizon datasets reinforced multi-year maintenance, steroid-sparing strategies, and potential dosing flexibility as differentiators beyond short-term EASI endpoints.

Read 6 updates from the meeting that clinicians managing atopic dermatitis should know.

AAD 2026: 6 Atopic Dermatitis Trials to Know

Future directions in ISM, including evolving treatment goals, unanswered questions about osteoporosis, anaphylaxis, resistance, curative strategies, and the need to extend advances to pediatric populations.

Future Directions in ISM: Long-term Outcomes, Unanswered Questions, and Pediatric Considerations

The integration of disease-targeted therapies into indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) care is shifting treatment goals from symptom palliation alone toward combined objectives of symptom control and disease modification. As clinicians gain comfort with prescribing KIT D816V inhibitors and more patients receive these agents, expectations increasingly encompass reduction of skin lesions, normalization or marked lowering of serum tryptase, and sustained improvement in quality of life. Long-term extension data from PIONEER, with median follow-up approaching 4 years and some patients exceeding 5 years, indicate that the symptomatic and biomarker benefits of avapritinib can be durable, with no new safety signals and a low incidence of serious adverse events over time.

Despite these advances, important knowledge gaps remain. The impact of KIT inhibition on osteoporosis, which affects approximately 30% of patients with systemic mastocytosis, is incompletely understood. Key questions include whether reducing mast cell burden and mediator release can meaningfully alter bone density trajectories and whether tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be used as standalone approaches or must be combined with standard antiosteoporotic agents such as bisphosphonates or monoclonal antibodies. Similarly, the effect of avapritinib on anaphylaxis risk—seen in roughly 40% of patients and often triggered by Hymenoptera venom or other IgE-mediated stimuli—requires dedicated study. Conceptually, lowering mast cell burden should reduce risk, but prospective, controlled data are lacking.

Longer-term considerations also include the potential for resistance, opportunities for curative or treatment-free remission strategies, and extension of targeted approaches to pediatric disease. To date, no clear cases of clinical resistance to avapritinib have been documented in ISM over follow-up periods of up to 5 years, a finding that may reflect the relatively low proliferative rate of mast cells in indolent disease. Future research may explore combination regimens pairing KIT D816V–selective inhibitors with other pathway-directed agents or monoclonal antibodies to achieve deeper clonal eradication or permit intermittent rather than continuous dosing. In this concluding segment of the video series, Akin highlights these unanswered questions and underscores the need to adapt emerging therapies and evidence-based strategies for children with cutaneous and systemic mastocytosis, a population for whom current approvals and data are limited.

Video Series

Key Takeaways in Colorectal Cancer Screening

In the final episode, ‘Key Takeaways in Colorectal Cancer Screening,’ the faculty emphasize that while colonoscopy remains the gold standard, noninvasive stool-based tests are appropriate alternatives for average-risk patients who decline invasive screening. They stress that symptomatic or high-risk individuals—including those with family history, genetic syndromes, inflammatory bowel disease, or prior polyps—require diagnostic colonoscopy rather than screening tests. The discussion highlights emerging DNA- and RNA-based technologies as promising tools to expand screening uptake, particularly given workforce limitations in gastroenterology. With the screening age lowered to 45, capacity constraints have prompted ongoing conversations about how best to allocate colonoscopy resources. Ultimately, the segment reinforces the importance of individualized risk assessment, patient education, and shared decision-making to reduce colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality. Thank you for watching this HCP Live Peers &

Explore evolving colorectal cancer screening, from colonoscopy to advanced DNA/RNA stool tests, plus risk-based strategies and shared decisions that boost early detection.

Coordinating Care After Abnormal Colorectal Cancer Results

In ‘Coordinating Care After Abnormal Colorectal Cancer Screening Results,’ the expert faculty focus on the critical importance of timely follow-up after a positive colorectal cancer screening test. The speakers discuss real-world challenges in referring patients to gastroenterology, including specialist availability and scheduling delays, while emphasizing that diagnostic colonoscopy should ideally occur within six months. They highlight the responsibility of primary care clinicians to “close the loop” and ensure completion of colonoscopy, using tools such as telehealth and proactive follow-up. The conversation also clarifies appropriate next steps after positive tests, including when upper endoscopy is or is not indicated and how to interpret high-quality prior colonoscopy results. Finally, the faculty stress that symptomatic patients and those with iron deficiency anemia require diagnostic evaluation rather than screening tests, reinforcing a risk-based and patient-centered approach to care.

Our next episode, ‘Key Takeaways in Colorectal Cancer Screening,’ the expert faculty reinforce that colorectal cancer screening should be individualized based on risk, symptoms, and patient preference, with colonoscopy reserved for high-risk or symptomatic patients and noninvasive options appropriate for average-risk individuals. The discussion emphasizes shared decision-making, appropriate use of emerging technologies, and the importance of increasing screening rates to reduce both mortality and morbidity from colorectal cancer.

Positive FIT/Cologuard? See why follow-up colonoscopy is often $0 and how navigation, rides, and time-off support boost screening.

Michael E. Thase, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania

In part 3 of an interview, Michael E. Thase, MD, discusses retreatment timing, safety monitoring, and research priorities following phase 2b GH001 data.

Psychiatry

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Major Depressive Disorder condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into depression can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on MDD research, treatment, and drug development.

Maintenance Dosing, Safety Shape GH001 Outlook, With Michael E. Thase, MD

Use of symptom and quality-of-life tools alongside biomarkers in PIONEER, principles of dose titration from 25 mg to 50 mg, and practical recommendations for longitudinal safety monitoring.

Measuring Response in ISM: PRO Tools, Biomarkers, and Dose Optimization With Avapritinib

Check out exclusive expert interviews of late breaking data from AAD 2026.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis Suppurativa condition center page, audiences can find a variety of coverage mediums for medical news and updates, including articles, video interviews, podcasts, and breaking news on dermatology research, treatment, and drug development.

Plaque Psoriasis

The HCPLive plaque psoriasis page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on psoriasis. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments for psoriatic disease, and more.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on the dermatologic condition. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for the affected skin of vitiligo patients.

Alopecia

AAD 2026: 7 Late-Breaking Data Updates to Know in Dermatology

Professor Stephen Nicholls is a world-renowned cardiologist, and leads the Victorian Heart Hospital (VHH) at Monash University.

Nicholls discusses his recent pooled analysis of safety data from the BROADWAY and BROOKLYN phase 3 trials, proving the tolerable safety of obicetrapib.

Cardiology

Cardiology condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for heart disease and cardiovascular events, as well as associated diabetes, renal failure, and more...

Dyslipidemia

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Strategic Alliance Partnership

Obicetrapib is Safe and Well-Tolerated in HeFH and ASCVD, With Stephen Nicholls, MD

Abigail Brooks is an assistant managing editor for 

She joined MJH Life Sciences in August 2023 shortly after graduating from Monmouth University where she earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations/Journalism and later an MA in Interactive Digital Media. She enjoys traveling, running, and reading books. She can be reached at abrooks@mjhlifesciences.com.

Data presented at the World Congress of Nephrology highlight faster and higher rates of microscopic hematuria negativity with sibeprenlimab treatment.

Nephrology

The HCPLive nephrology page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on kidney disease. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in nephrology, and more.

IgA Nephropathy

The HCPLive Berger disease page is a resource for medical news and expert insights on IgA nephropathy. This page features expert-led coverage, articles, videos and research on the therapies and development of treatments in Berger disease, and more.

New VISIONARY Analyses Reinforce Benefits of APRIL Inhibition With Sibeprenlimab in IgAN

Song speaks about JAK inhibitors and their safety in dermatology care settings, contextualizing previous data on adverse events.

Key Takeaways on JAK Inhibitors and Black Box Warnings, With Eingun James Song, MD

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who covers allergy and  psychiatry. She joined MJH Life Sciences in September 2023 after graduating from The College of New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and professional writing. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing and reading.

March 2026 allergy news: FDA label updates, mastocytosis NDA, and promising data for peanut patch, remibrutinib, and CRSwNP biologics.

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6 Allergy Headlines You Missed in March 2026

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ASH publishes 33 clinical recommendations and 4 good practice statements for the diagnosis and treatment of severe and very severe acquired aplastic anemia. 

Hematology

ASH Publishes Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Severe and Very Severe Acquired Aplastic Anemia

Nicholls discusses the investigational oral CETP inhibitor’s effects on kidney health for patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease due to elevated HDL-C.

Chronic Kidney Disease

BROADWAY: Obicetrapib Preserves Kidney Function, Prevents CKD, With Stephen Nicholls, MD 

Marcello Tonelli, MD, is a nephrologist and professor of medicine at the University of Calgary, founding director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Prevention and Control of Chronic Kidney Disease, and president of the International Society of Nephrology.

The WHO resolution on kidney health elevates kidney disease as a global health priority, emphasizing early detection, treatment, and system-wide action.

Latest News

Discussing Future of Amlitelimab, OX40/OX40L Treatment, With Eingun James Song, MD

AAD 2026: 6 Atopic Dermatitis Trials to Know

Future Directions in ISM: Long-term Outcomes, Unanswered Questions, and Pediatric Considerations

Key Takeaways in Colorectal Cancer Screening

Coordinating Care After Abnormal Colorectal Cancer Results