Tim Smith joined the MJH Life Sciences team as an assistant editor for HCPLive in August 2022. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in political science, working in multimedia journalism as a staff writer prior to joining MJH. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching TV, listening to podcasts, and rock climbing. You can contact him at 

The month of November 2025 saw a wide array of notable events take place in the field of 

, and many of these headlines were covered by the 

In November’s iteration of the Month in Review series, 

 has listed 8 significant headlines of note in the skin health space. The list includes news covered in November regarding treatments such as risankizumab and upadacitinib, as well as 

 news regarding roflumilast cream 0.3% for children with atopic dermatitis.

Additionally, this review highlights several notable interviews and other news released following 3 conferences: the 

Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA) Fall Conference

 in Texas, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Florida, and the 

 in Nevada. The following list provides key updates on developments in dermatology:

Risankizumab Effective as Treatment for Psoriasis in Genital, Scalp Regions

In 1 story covered in November 2025, new data showed risankizumab could be an efficacious and safe therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in the genital and scalp regions. This conclusion was the result of phase 4 findings in an analysis authored by such investigators as Eingun James Song, MD, director of clinical research at Frontier Dermatology. Song et al’s UnlIMMited study found, in addition to the higher clearance rates observed with risankizumab versus placebo, no new safety signals for the drug, supporting its use in sensitive psoriasis regions.

OX40/OX40 Ligand Target Offers Broader Acting Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis, With Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD

During the 2025 ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando, Florida, Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, spoke with the 

 team about his talk, ‘7 for 11: Hot Therapeutic Targets in Allergy and Immunology.’ He highlighted takeaways from his session on OX40/OX40L, otherwise known as the interaction between the costimulatory TNF receptor OX40 and its ligand, OX40L, and its role in atopic conditions.

Treating Dermatology Patients with Off-Label JAK Inhibitors, With Gabriela Maloney, DO

During the SDPA Fall Conference in San Antonio, the 

 team spoke with Gabriela Maloney, DO, a board-certified dermatologist at Forefront Dermatology, about her conference session titled ‘Off-Label Usage of JAK Inhibitors.’ Ever since ruxolitinib cream’s FDA approval in 2021, making this topical treatment the first Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved in dermatology, JAK inhibitors have seen expansions in their use. Maloney highlighted off-label JAK inhibitors’ use in a variety of conditions, pointing, for example, to bullous diseases such as bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris, lichen planus erosive lichen planus, and cicatricial alopecia.

Guidelines Presented on Managing Genetic Skin Disorders and Referring Patients

Another story highlighted at the SDPA Fall Conference highlighted coverage of a session at the meeting titled ‘The ABCs of Genetic Disorders of the Skin: Guidelines for Recognition and When to Refer.’ Presented by Yasmine Kirkorian, MD, the chief of the Division of Pediatric Dermatology at Children’s National Hospital (CNH), this talk reviewed several commonly observed genetic syndromes with cutaneous manifestations. These included tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis type 1, and others. During her session, Kirkorian emphasized the recognition of skin findings resulting in a referral to a geneticist or a specialty clinic.

Discussing New Topical Drugs for Atopic Dermatitis in Younger Patients, With Peter Lio, MD

In an interview conducted during the 2025 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference, Peter A. Lio, MD, a clinical professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and clinical assistant professor of Dermatology & Pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, spoke on several notable takeaways from his sessions at the meeting in Las Vegas. In this interview, Lio highlighted news on several treatments in the armamentarium, such as topical ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, and its approval down to the age of 2 years. He also discussed topical tapinarof, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist, and its recent age expansion.

FDA Accepts sNDA for Roflumilast Cream 0.3% in Children Ages 2 to 5 with Psoriasis

The FDA’s acceptance of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for roflumilast (Zoryve) cream 0.3% for children aged 2-5 years with psoriasis was also highlighted in November, potentially leading to an expansion in this drug’s indication. The drug was designed as a once-daily, advanced targeted topical phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor. The November 17 announcement by Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. highlighted a PDUFA target action date of June 29, 2026, for roflumilast cream’s approval for this new age range.

SCALE-UP: Findings on Real-World Use of Upadacitinib in Atopic Dermatitis

Other findings highlighted in November had been presented at the 2025 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference, including new real-world data on upadacitinib’s use in atopic dermatitis. The findings, authored by such investigators as Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, associate professor of Dermatology at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, resulted from the SCALE‐UP study. In their analysis, Silverberg et al pointed to upadacitinib’s significant clinical benefits in treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, highlighting the rapid reductions in itch and the rapid skin clearance seen in both AST-naïve and AST-experienced patients.

ARCADIA LTE: Long-term Nemolizumab Effective in Adolescents with Atopic Dermatitis

In other data covered at the Fall Clinical conference, treatment of adolescent patients with atopic dermatitis via nemolizumab 30 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W), along with a background of topical corticosteroids (TCS) of low/medium potency with/without topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI), was shown to have improved key signs and symptoms. These findings resulted from a post hoc analysis from ARCADIA LTE and were authored by such investigators as Adam Reich, MD, PhD, a full-time professor at the Department of Dermatology, University of Rzeszów, Poland.

Articles

November 2025 witnessed significant developments in dermatology, with key updates on treatments and FDA news. Risankizumab showed efficacy for psoriasis in sensitive regions, while OX40/OX40L emerged as a promising target for atopic dermatitis. Off-label JAK inhibitors were discussed for various dermatological conditions. New guidelines for managing genetic skin disorders were presented, and advancements in topical drugs for younger patients were highlighted. The FDA accepted an sNDA for roflumilast cream for young children with psoriasis. Real-world data on upadacitinib and long-term efficacy of nemolizumab in adolescents with atopic dermatitis were also reported.

This review of November 2025 highlights several notable news stories covered in the dermatology space.

Dermatology

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

News

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Clinical

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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.

8 Dermatology Headlines You Missed in November 2025

Benefits of Oral BTKi Administration in CSU

Jason Hawkes, MD, MS, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of Dermatology at the University of California Davis outlines the mechanistic rationale for using oral BTK inhibitors, such as remibrutinib, in CSU. He notes remibrutinib’s selective inhibition of Bruton tyrosine kinase—central to mast cell activation—and its rapid, robust effect on both superficial and deep urticarial manifestations, including angioedema.

According to Hawkes, remibrutinib offers particular benefit to patients who have failed, are intolerant of, or are not candidates for antihistamines, omalizumab, or dupilumab. Its oral route confers convenience, making it well-suited for individuals already managing multiple medications or those averse to injectable therapies. Clinical improvements appear to be independent of baseline IgE levels, broadening its applicability across varied patient phenotypes.

Hawkes advises that the choice of remibrutinib can also be informed by unique patient characteristics, such as previous intolerance to other therapies, lifestyle considerations, and preference for oral versus injectable medications. He emphasizes that its rapid onset, broad efficacy, and safety profile support its integration into the therapeutic armamentarium for CSU.

Videos

Jason Hawkes, MD, MS details the clinical advantages and patient populations best suited for oral BTK inhibitor therapy, such as remibrutinib, in CSU.


Video Series

Personalizing CSU Management and the Role of Multidisciplinary Care

series focuses on optimizing management for 

 through evidence-based and individualized care. 

, highlighting diagnostic distinctions between spontaneous, inducible, and secondary forms. She emphasizes the importance of structured disease assessment using standardized tools such as the

 to track response and inform timely escalation. The discussion outlines key predictors of poor response to antihistamines and the critical need for proactive, rather than reactive, treatment decisions to prevent chronic disease burden.

The program then explores therapeutic innovation, particularly the rise of 

, which demonstrated rapid, durable symptom control and sustained remission through 52 weeks in the 

 trials. Armstrong examines how these findings may redefine long-term management goals and reshape patient expectations around control vs remission. She provides guidance on communicating treatment transitions, addressing concerns about injectables vs oral therapies, and balancing efficacy with adherence and accessibility—particularly as small molecule therapies expand options beyond traditional biologics such as omalizumab.

Finally, the conversation looks ahead to 

, envisioning a shift from rigid stepwise algorithms to 

. Armstrong discusses emerging biomarkers that could predict treatment response as well as how dermatologists and allergists may increasingly share roles in CSU management as therapeutic categories converge. She closes by highlighting the promise of new oral targeted therapies and the importance of integrating patient-reported outcomes and shared decision-making to achieve lasting control and improved quality of life.

Amanda Armstrong, MD, MPH, predicts a move toward mechanism-based therapy selection and highlights biomarkers that could guide personalized treatment.

A conclusion emphasizing the importance of translating clinical research into everyday practice and continuing innovation to improve patient quality of life and long-term outcomes.

Combination Therapies for IBD and Future Outlook

The Peers & Perspectives series episode on Optimizing Therapeutic Strategies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease opens with a discussion on redefining remission. Traditional endpoints, such as symptom improvement, are increasingly being supplemented with objective measures like endoscopic and histologic healing to better capture treatment effectiveness. The conversation highlights how deeper healing correlates with sustained remission and improved quality of life, while also addressing the practical challenges of implementing these advanced endpoints in clinical practice—balancing diagnostic precision, resource availability, and patient accessibility.

Building on this foundation, the program transitions to an analysis of early intervention strategies and their impact on disease trajectory. Recent research underscores that initiating advanced therapy earlier in the disease course can significantly enhance both short- and long-term outcomes. The discussion delves into the importance of identifying high-risk individuals before the onset of severe symptoms and tailoring therapy based on disease phenotype, risk profile, and treatment goals. Comparisons are drawn between established and emerging agents—including biologics, JAK inhibitors, S1P receptor modulators, and IL-23 inhibitors—to help clinicians navigate evolving treatment algorithms with confidence.

In its closing section, the program looks ahead to the future of IBD management, focusing on the role of predictive medicine and the integration of novel biomarkers, genetic insights, and multi-omics data. These tools are expected to transform how clinicians diagnose, stratify, and monitor patients—enabling more personalized, preventative, and data-driven approaches to care. The discussion concludes with a forward-looking perspective on clinical research priorities, emphasizing the need for continued innovation in treatment endpoints, combination therapy trials, and patient-centered outcome measures that define the next generation of IBD care.

Stone is professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Edward A Fox Chair in Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He has treated IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) since its emergence in recent years and is passionate about educating patients and fellow healthcare providers (HCPs) about the indolent and systemic nature of this disease.

Non-Cranial Symptoms in GCA

This video covers the following questions:

While patient symptoms often include a new or persistent headache, atypical and non-cranial symptoms also occur. What is your approach to diagnosing GCA when a patient presents these non-cranial symptoms?

Jason Hawkes, MD, MS examines how adherence, patient expectations, and access barriers influence management and treatment sequencing in CSU.


Impact of Adherence on CSU Management

Forward-looking perspectives on how predictive biomarkers, genetic profiling, and precision tools will guide individualized IBD management in the coming years.

Role of IL-12/IL-23 Inhibitors in the Treatment Landscape of IBD

Discussion on factors such as comorbidities, adherence, and access that influence the choice between oral BTK inhibitors and injectable biologics.

Defining the Role of BTKi in CSU Treatment Algorithms

Current Gaps in Diagnostic Criteria Standards: Key Factors That Inform Diagnostic Decisions 

Hanania explains how IL-33 inhibitors including itepekimab and astegolimab may uniquely benefit COPD exacerbation.

Conference

 conference coverage page features articles, videos, and expert-led live coverage from major medical meetings throughout the year.

Pulmonology

Infectious Disease condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on respiratory health. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, COVID-19, and more.

COPD

COPD condition center page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on COPD research, treatment, and drug development.

Prospecting the IL-33 Pathway for COPD Care, with Nicola Hanania, MD, MS

Gibson discusses the promising improvements to the composite primary endpoint of mortality, stroke, and recurrent MI as a result of zalunfiban treatment.

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...

Arrhythmia

CeleBrate: Zalunfiban Administration at First Contact Improves STEMI Outcomes, With C. Michael Gibson, MD

Hersh Shroff, MD, MPA, is a transplant hepatologist and an assistant professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Recent advancements in hepatology highlight new medications for metabolic dysfunction and liver diseases, promising improved patient outcomes and treatment options.

MASH / MASLD

The HCPLive MASH & MASLD page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and insights on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and steatohepatitis. This page consists of interviews, articles, podcasts, and videos on the research, treatment and development of therapies for fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, and more.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into HCV can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on hepatitis C virus research, treatment, and drug development.

Cholangitis

cholangitis page, resources on the topics of medical news and expert insight into cholangitis can be found. Content includes articles, interviews, videos, podcasts, and breaking news on research, treatment, and drug development in PBC, PSC, and more!

Hepatology

This Year In Medicine

2025 in Hepatology: New MASLD Therapies, HBV Updates, and More

In this analysis, investigators explored potential impacts of antibiotic exposure on the persistence of biologic treatments in patients living with psoriasis.

Antibiotic Exposure Linked to Increased Risk of Biologic Discontinuation in Psoriasis

Barr discusses the means to encourage systemic adoption of low dose CT scans to help curb the deadliest cancer in the US.

Lung Cancer

Bettering CT Scan Rates in Pulmonology, with Graham Barr, MD, DrPH

Alex Hillenbrand is an assistant editor for 

. She earned her BA in English from Lafayette College in 2023 and went on to write for pop culture, entertainment, and sports media outlets before joining MJH Life Sciences in 2025. In her free time, Alex enjoys cooking, going on walks, and meeting new people. Contact her at mjhlifesciences.com.

Key FDA approvals, pivotal IgAN and glomerular trial results, and transplant and CKD insights from November 2025.


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.

Latest News

8 Dermatology Headlines You Missed in November 2025

Benefits of Oral BTKi Administration in CSU

Personalizing CSU Management and the Role of Multidisciplinary Care

Combination Therapies for IBD and Future Outlook

Non-Cranial Symptoms in GCA