7 Dermatology Headlines You May Have Missed in October 2025

October 2025 saw a wide array of developments in the dermatology field come to light, with many such headlines having been covered by the HCPLive editorial team.

From recent developments at the 2025 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference in Las Vegas to recent data presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Paris, October saw a wide variety of news updates. In this iteration of HCPLive’s ‘Month in Review’ series, we highlight key examples of headlines from October in the dermatology space.

The following list represents a sample of notable headlines in dermatology news, including conference coverage, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) news, and recent research in the field in general.

Oral IL-23 Blocker Icotrokinra Sustains High Clearance in Scalp and Genital Psoriasis

New phase 3 data were announced in October by Johnson & Johnson at the Fall Clinical Conference, highlighting 52-week results from the ICONIC-TOTAL analysis assessing icotrokinra therapy—a first-in-class, oral peptide designed to selectively block the interleukin-23 (IL-23) receptor. This drug was evaluated in adults and adolescents ≥12 years with plaque psoriasis affecting high-impact and difficult-to-treat regions of the body such as the hands, scalp, genitals, and feet.

Biologics Compared in Systematic Review for Moderate-to-Severe Pediatric Psoriasis

In other research highlighted in October, all biologic medications were found to have been significantly more effective in children with moderate-to-severe psoriasis versus placebo, though ixekizumab was noted as having ranked highest for complete skin clearance among such patients. These data were authored by Abdulmajeed Sulaiman Alharbi, from Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University’s College of Medicine in Saudi Arabia, who worked with a team to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing biologics for pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

BRAVE-AA-PEDS: Baricitinib Leads to Hair Regrowth in Adolescents with Alopecia Areata

In 52-week data presented at Fall Clinical in October, once-daily treatment using oral baricitinib (Olumiant) led to notable hair regrowth on the scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows among adolescent patients living with severe alopecia areata after 1 year of use. These findings were announced by Eli Lilly and Incyte and resulted from the phase 3 BRAVE-AA-PEDS study (NCT05723198). The medication’s safety profile in adolescent patients was consistent with previous research, with no new safety signals after 1 year of treatment being observed.

Discussing Phase 2b Findings on Temtokibart for Atopic Dermatitis, With Chih-ho Hong, MD, FRCPC

In an interview at EADV 2025, new late-breaking data were discussed suggesting temtokibart, an investigational monoclonal antibody targeting the interleukin (IL)-22RA1 receptor subunit, was associated with significant improvements in various measures of disease severity and activity for atopic dermatitis biomarkers. This interview in Paris, France, featured guest Chih-ho Hong, MD, FRCPC, a trial investigator for this phase 2b randomized, double-blind trial (NCT05923099) evaluating the use of temtokibart.

FDA Approves Roflumilast (Zoryve) Cream 0.05% for Atopic Dermatitis in Children Aged 2-5 Years

In 1 notable FDA news headline from October, the agency approved Arcutis Biotherapeutics’ supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for topical roflumilast (Zoryve) cream 0.05% as a treatment for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children 2-5 years of age. FDA officials based this approval off of data resulting from the phase 3 INTEGUMENT-PED study, the INTEGUMENT-OLE long-term extension analysis, and a phase 1 pharmacokinetic study. This approval by the FDA represents the 6th for the roflumilast portfolio in close to 3 years.

FDA Approves Adalimumab-aaty (Yuflyma) Pediatric Indications in Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Uveitis

Another FDA decision was announced in October, specifically by Celltrion, regarding the approval of expanded indications for adalimumab-aaty (Yuflyma) and the medication's unbranded version to include the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in adolescents ≥ 12 years of age and uveitis (UV) in individuals ≥ 2 years of age. In the announcement, adalimumab-aaty was noted as a high-concentration, low-volume, citrate-free biosimilar, interchangeable with Humira. Phase 3 study data supported the interchangeability designation by FDA officials, with similar outcomes being observed in the drug's pharmacokinetics, safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity.