Fall Clinical 2026 Second Half Recap: Acne, Skin Cancer, and More

The latter half of the 2026 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference in Las Vegas brought a notable focus on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), alongside long-term acne data, an update on the atopic dermatitis pipeline, and expert guidance on advanced skin cancer care. The HCPLive editorial team was on-site covering the meeting, which ran from October 8 - 11, 2026.

In the following recap, highlights of several major stories from the second half of HCPLive’s coverage of Fall Clinical are included:

What Did Experts Share on HS Care?

Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa Underdiagnosed in Male Patients?

A retrospective US claims analysis led by Hadar Lev-Tov, MD, of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, challenged the long-held female predominance in HS. Formally diagnosed HS remained more common in females through 2024, at 253 vs 97 per 100,000. However, symptom-defined disease without an HS diagnosis was slightly more common in males, at 67 vs 54 per 100,000, suggesting possible underdiagnosis in men.

Q&A: Comorbidity Screening and Biologic Timing in HS, With Jennifer Hsiao, MD

Jennifer L. Hsiao, MD, of the University of Southern California, emphasized starting treatment early in moderate disease and reassessing response at 3 to 4 months. She encouraged clinicians to frame success as less drainage, pain, and flaring rather than complete clearance. Hsiao also discussed povorcitinib, an oral Janus kinase 1 inhibitor now under FDA review for HS, and prioritized screening for inflammatory bowel disease and spondyloarthritis.

HS Care Beyond Medications: Expectations, Comorbidities, and Wound Care

Iltefat Hamzavi, MD, of Henry Ford Health, outlined practical strategies for managing HS beyond drug selection. He recommended waiting-room questionnaires on drainage, pain, and missed work, along with written flare plans and a comorbidity handout for primary care physicians. Hamzavi also highlighted wound care as a training gap and described procedures such as deroofing as tools for persistent draining tunnels.

What New Data Emerged in Acne, Atopic Dermatitis, and Urticaria?

Denifanstat Sustains Acne Improvement Through 52 Weeks in Phase 3 Extension

Julie Harper, MD, of the Dermatology and Skin Care Center of Birmingham, presented open-label extension data for denifanstat, an oral, once-daily fatty acid synthase inhibitor, in moderate-to-severe acne. Through 52 weeks, 57% of patients achieved Investigator’s Global Assessment success, with 72% and 77% reductions in total and inflammatory lesion counts, respectively. A US phase 3 trial including adolescents has begun screening.

Atopic Dermatitis Pipeline and Remibrutinib’s Approval in Dermographism

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, of Rosalind Franklin University Chicago Medical School, highlighted oral small molecules, bispecific and trispecific antibodies, and novel targets as key atopic dermatitis pipeline trends. He also discussed the October 7 FDA approval of remibrutinib for symptomatic dermographism, which gives dermatologists an on-label option for a condition often treated off-label.

What Role Should Dermatologists Play in Advanced Skin Cancer?

Why Dermatologists Should Stay Involved in Advanced Cutaneous SCC

Shannon C. Trotter, DO, of Dermatologists of the Central States, urged dermatologists to remain involved in caring for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma after oncology referral. She reviewed the 3 approved immune checkpoint inhibitors for the disease and noted research on intralesional cemiplimab may create an in-office role for dermatologists.

Explore HCPLive’s full coverage of the 2026 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference for more interviews and data from the meeting.