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

Eingun James Song, MD, FAAD 

What is the Link Between Atopic Dermatitis and Asthma? With Eingun James Song, MD

Eingun James Song, MD, of Frontier Dermatology, spoke in a session presented at the 

2026 Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis (RAD) Conference

 in Nashville about the growing recognition of atopic dermatitis as a systemic inflammatory disease, with the session, titled ‘Connecting AD to Other Dermatologic Disorders and Related Comorbidities.’

, Song emphasized that clinicians should think beyond the skin when managing patients with atopic dermatitis, particularly given the disease’s well-established links to other type 2 inflammatory conditions such as asthma, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis. Drawing parallels to lessons learned in psoriasis, Song noted that dermatology providers are increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing comorbidities as part of comprehensive patient care.

“I think we've learned from psoriasis that even though this is a skin disorder, it is often associated with other systemic conditions, and to properly take care of patients more comprehensively,” Song explained. “We can't just be thinking about managing the skin, but also some of the other comorbidities that are associated with the disease.”

During the session, Song and fellow presenters focused on several of these key conditions linked with atopic dermatitis, including asthma, food allergies, and skin infections. The overall message of the talk, he noted, was that atopic dermatitis should not be viewed in isolation, but rather as one manifestation of a broader inflammatory process that can impact various organ systems.

A major focus of Song and his co-panelists’ presentation was the concept of the ‘atopic march,’ which describes the progression of atopic diseases over time. Traditionally, this model suggests that patients may develop eczema early in life before later experiencing food allergies, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. However, Song described the progression as not being universal, noting certain patients appear to be at greater risk than others. Those showing more severe atopic dermatitis and reporting a strong family history of atopic disease are among those most likely to experience progression to additional allergic conditions.

Song also pointed to data suggesting that earlier and more effective treatment of atopic dermatitis may alter the course of disease. He highlighted observational findings indicating medications targeting type 2 inflammation, including biologics, may be linked with lower rates of future asthma and allergic rhinitis. Although these findings have not yet been confirmed in dedicated prevention trials, Song described them as an important and provocative area of ongoing research that could reshape how clinicians think about early intervention.

From a practical standpoint, Song encouraged dermatology providers to routinely screen patients with atopic dermatitis for symptoms of asthma and assess disease control in those with an established diagnosis. Awareness of a patient’s broader comorbidity profile, he opined, can help to inform treatment decisions and facilitate collaboration with allergy specialists.

Disclosures: Song has previously 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.

Song E, Friedman A, Soung J. Connecting AD to Other Dermatologic Disorders and Related Comorbidities. Session presented at: 2026 Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference; June 17-19, 2026; Nashville, TN.

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Song emphasized that clinicians should think beyond the skin when managing patients with atopic dermatitis.

Implementing Remission Goals in Psoriasis Practice

In the final episode, ‘Implementing Remission Goals in Psoriasis Practice,’ the panelists focus on the practical application of remission-focused strategies in psoriasis management, emphasizing how clinicians can translate evolving treatment goals into everyday practice. The expert faculty highlight that while formal definitions of on-treatment remission provide valuable guidance, implementation does not require rigid protocols. Instead, simply recognizing remission as an achievable goal can shift the clinical mindset and elevate standards of care in psoriasis.

They discuss the importance of setting clear expectations with patients, particularly the goal of achieving and maintaining complete skin clearance. The faculty emphasize that patients typically seek the most effective therapy available and expect sustained results, reinforcing the need to align treatment strategies with these expectations. They also highlighted practical tools, such as routine assessment of body surface area (BSA) and Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA), are efficient ways to monitor progress and prompt treatment reassessment when targets are not met. These measures can also streamline clinical workflows and support performance metrics. The panelists conclude by encouraging clinicians to become familiar with a core set of biologic therapies and to confidently communicate their benefits to patients with psoriasis.

Thank you for watching this peer exchange series on on-treatment remission in psoriasis. Please subscribe to our newsletter for information on upcoming video series.

Experts explain managing psoriasis biologic failures: reassess response, use topicals, and switch smarter to reach near‑clear skin.

Managing Treatment Failure in Psoriasis

In this episode, ‘Managing Treatment Failure in Psoriasis,’ the expert dermatologists focus on the practical management of treatment failure in psoriasis. The faculty discussed how to differentiate between primary non-response and secondary loss of response, emphasizing that these scenarios require distinct clinical approaches. Rather than immediately discontinuing therapy, clinicians are encouraged to assess disease patterns, patient satisfaction, and treatment adherence in patients with psoriasis.

They discuss the value of maintaining open communication with patients, particularly when evaluating treatment success. Even when clinical improvement is observed, patient perception of disease control remains critical in guiding next steps. The panelists highlight that some patients may be satisfied with partial improvement, while others may seek more complete clearance, reinforcing the need for shared decision-making.

The panelists explore strategies for managing suboptimal response include optimizing current therapy with adjunctive treatments, switching within the same biologic class, or transitioning to a different mechanism of action. They also introduce the concept of multi-biologic failure, where patients experience diminishing responses across multiple therapies. They raise the question of whether initiating treatment with the most effective therapy upfront may improve long-term outcomes and reduce the risk of treatment resistance. The faculty emphasize a proactive and flexible approach to treatment optimization, with the goal of achieving sustained disease control.

The next episode in this series, ‘Implementing Remission Goals in Psoriasis Practice,’ features the panelists highlighting practical approaches to implementing remission-focused care in psoriasis, emphasizing that achieving and maintaining clear skin is an attainable goal. It reinforces the importance of setting expectations, using simple assessment tools, and confidently selecting effective therapies to optimize patient outcomes.

Learn how experts tackle psoriasis biologic failures—assess primary vs secondary loss, use topicals, and choose smarter switches for clearer skin.

Safety Considerations for IL-17 Inhibitors in Psoriasis 

This episode, titled ‘Safety Considerations for IL-17 Inhibitors in Psoriasis,’ the expert faculty focuses on the safety profile of IL-17 inhibitors in psoriasis, highlighting both class-wide considerations and differences among individual therapies. The panelists emphasize that modern biologics targeting the IL-17 pathway are generally well tolerated, with favorable safety profiles compared with earlier generations of systemic therapies.

The expert dermatologists discuss how there is an increased risk of mild fungal infections, such as tinea and candidiasis, which is a known class effect related to IL-17 inhibitors. They note that these infections are typically manageable, and often occur early in treatment without recurring in most patients. This safety signal reflects the targeted nature of IL-17 inhibition rather than broad immunosuppression.

The panelists also address the potential association between IL-17 inhibitors and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including both exacerbation of preexisting disease and possible new onset. The faculty highlights the importance of screening for personal and family history of IBD and incorporating this information into treatment selection and patient counseling. Emerging insights into mechanistic differences within the IL-17 pathway suggest that variations in cytokine targeting may influence these risks, although this remains an area of ongoing research. The expert faculty reinforces the importance of balancing efficacy with safety while tailoring treatment decisions to individual patient profiles in psoriasis care.

In the next episode, ‘Managing Treatment Failure in Psoriasis,’ panelists examine strategies for managing treatment failure in psoriasis, including differentiating primary and secondary non-response and optimizing therapy. It highlights the importance of patient-centered decision-making and the potential value of initiating treatments early to improve long-term outcomes.

IL-17 inhibitors clear psoriasis fast; meta-analyses highlight brodalumab, bimekizumab and ixekizumab, with flexible dosing that builds patient confidence.

Eingun James Song, MD, FAAD

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