Q1 2026 Recap: Dermatology News and Updates

In the first quarter of 2026, a variety of late-phase data, regulatory milestones, and emerging therapeutic strategies helped the dermatology landscape to leap ahead in its evolution. An array of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decisions expanded options for treatment across inflammatory and rare diseases, including the approvals of icotrokinra and secukinumab for psoriasis and pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), respectively.

At the same time, new findings presented at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in Denver highlighted the continued innovations seen in therapeutic development this year, with head-to-head and long-term trial research reinforcing advances in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis care. Beyond clinical and regulatory progress, Q1 also reflected a growing emphasis on advocacy, equity, and physician well-being through HCPLive’s dermatology-focused podcast discussions.

In this review, the editorial team spotlights these key dermatology headlines from HCPLive’s coverage in the first quarter of 2026:

Major FDA Decisions in Dermatology

Icotrokinra, an Oral Il-23 Inhibitor, Receives FDA Approval for Psoriasis

In a notable FDA decision from Q1 2026, the FDA approved icotrokinra (ICOTYDE) for those aged 12 years and older living with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and who weigh at least 40 kg. Patients deemed eligible for the drug must also be candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Johnson & Johnson’s announcement suggests the decision marks a first for this oral targeted peptide selectively blocking the interleukin (IL)-23 receptor. The decision introduced a new mechanistic class to the psoriasis armamentarium following the phase 3 ICONIC trial program.

FDA Approves Secukinumab for Pediatric Patients 12 Years and Older with HS

Another Q1 FDA approval was for secukinumab in moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Secukinumab was FDA-approved for pediatric patients aged 12 and older, making the agent the only IL-17A inhibitor currently indicated for this type of patient. The drug itself is a fully human monoclonal antibody formulated to directly target IL-17A, a key cytokine driving the inflammatory pathways. This FDA approval of secukinumab provides a differentiated biologic option to an area where options for younger individuals with HS have been limited.

FDA Accepts NDA for Bezuclastinib in Non-Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis

Another Q1 FDA announcement was released by Cogent Biosciences, with the company noting the FDA’s acceptance of its new drug application (NDA) for bezuclastinib in adult patients with non-advanced systemic mastocytosis (NonAdvSM), supported by findings drawn from the pivotal SUMMIT trial program. A PDUFA target action date is now set for the drug on December 30, 2026. The FDA’s acceptance of this drug’s application could mark this as the first medication targeting the KIT D816V mutation in this patient population.

Upadacitinib Regulatory Applications Submitted for Adults, Adolescents with Vitiligo

In Q1, both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) received AbbVie’s regulatory applications seeking approval of upadacitinib (Rinvoq) 15 mg once daily for adults and adolescents with non-segmental vitiligo (NSV). These submissions resulted from previously disclosed findings resulting from the Viti-Up clinical trial program. Viti-Up investigators had looked at the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib in those with NSV.

Top Headlines from AAD 2026

Risankizumab Outperforms Deucravacitinib on Psoriasis Clearance Across Patient Subgroups in Phase 4 Head-to-Head Trial

In data highlighted at AAD 2026, risankizumab (Skyrizi) therapy demonstrated significantly greater clearance of skin versus deucravacitinib (Sotyktu) at the 16-week mark across an array of different patient subgroups, specifically among adults with biologic-naïve moderate plaque psoriasis. These data, resulting from a subgroup analysis of the phase 4 IMMpactful study, helped investigators to extend the primary efficacy findings of IMMpactful.

Sustained PASI Responses Observed Through Week 60 with Zasocitinib, With Melinda Gooderham, MD

Additional phase 3 findings highlighted during AAD pointed to zasocitinib as an oral treatment shifting the medication landscape for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Trial investigators found high levels of skin clearance known to usually be the domain of biologics in these poster data, and these results were described at AAD by investigator Melinda Gooderham, MD, medical director of the SKiN Centre for Dermatology in Ontario, Canada. Gooderham spoke in depth on the pivotal phase 3 LATITUDE trial program.

RADIANT-AD: Rademikibart Effective Over 52 Weeks in Atopic Dermatitis, With Cheng Zhou, MD

Rademikibart in adults and adolescents living with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis was also highlighted at AAD during a late-breaking data session, with the results highlighted pointing to rademikibnart’s use as leading to rapid and clinically significant improvements. Such results were noted to be sustained through 52 weeks. These data, drawn from the phase 3 RADIANT‑AD trial, demonstrated rapid, clinically meaningful improvements in adults and adolescents by Week 16 across all major efficacy endpoints. By 1 year of use, investigators noted a notable majority of those on the drug saw near‑maximal skin clearance and sustained itch control.

ICONIC-LEAD: 1 Year Icotrokinra Data Confirm Durable Psoriasis Clearance, PRO Improvements in Adults, Adolescents, With Jennifer Soung, MD

The phase 3 ICONIC-LEAD trial was discussed by Jennifer Soung, MD, founder and director of Clinical Research at Southern California Dermatology. The data confirmed icotrokinra (ICOTYDE) use as leading to durable clearance of skin. The findings also suggested meaningful patient-reported improvements were observed among adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. A lack of new safety signals were also highlighted through Week 52.

Dermatology Podcast Updates from Q1

The Medical Sisterhood: Building Influence in Medicine as Women Physicians, With Nastasha Mensikovzka, MD, PhD

Host Mona Shahriari, MD, known for her role as assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine and practicing dermatologist in Connecticut, was joined in this episode of the podcast by Natasha Mesinkovska, MD, PhD, a dermatologist and researcher at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine Department of Dermatology. The pair spoke about visibility, resilience, mentorship, and the art of commanding a room recorded in recognition of Women's History Month.

The Medical Sisterhood: Physician Mom Burnout & Mental Health Strategies, With Jennifer Hsiao, MD

In this episode of The Medical Sisterhood, Shahriari interviewed Jennifer Hsiao, MD, a dermatologist and clinical associate professor of clinical dermatology at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC), during which the 2 held a discussion about visibility, leadership, and building a meaningful academic career in dermatology. Additionally, they touched on the invisible labor faced by female physicians, particularly mothers.

The Medical Sisterhood: Advocacy and Systemic Change, With Kristi Hawley, DO

The January episode of The Medical Sisterhood spotlighted topics such as advocacy, autonomy, and the quiet breaking points many women physicians experience in the world of modern medicine. Kristi B. Hawley, DO, founder and owner of The Derm Institute of West Michigan, spoke with Shahriari in this podcast. Hawley’s journey as a dermatologist, practice owner, and advocate for physicians provided a lens into the systemic challenges faced by clinicians in the modern world.

Skin of Color Savvy: Tackling Colorism in Dermatology, With Seemal Desai, MD, and Pearl Grimes, MD

In this episode of Skin of Color Savvy: The Art and Science of Treating Patients of Color, hosted by Skin of Color Society (SOCS) leaders, the show had Seemal Desai, MD, past president of SOCS, as guest host. Desai was joined by Pearl Grimes, MD, a globally recognized expert in vitiligo and pigmentary disorders and founder of the Vitiligo and Pigmentation Institute of Southern California. A nuanced discussion was conducted by the pair on colorism, its historical roots, and its intersection with the clinical management of pigmentary disorders.

Skin of Color Savvy: Why 2026 Is the Year of Skin Equity, With Susan Taylor, MD, Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, and Mona Shahriari, MD

In another episode of the Skin of Color Savvy podcast from Q1, guest host Mona Shahriari, MD, led a forward-looking conversation on advancing skin health equity alongside Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, board-certified dermatologist and Professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Susan Taylor, MD, the Bernett Johnson Endowed Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

Skin of Color Savvy: Challenges and Successes in a Dermatologist’s Career, With Nicole Negbenebor, MD

Nicole Negbenebor, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology and director of the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of Iowa, spoke about the twists and turns she faced in her professional journey in dermatology. Negbenebor also touched on her clinical interests, her research advocacy, and her commitment to improving care for diverse patient populations.

Skin of Color Savvy: Serving the Underserved in Dermatology, With Abrahem Kazemi, MD

Board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetics and laser dermatology for Pinnacle Dermatology, Abrahem Kazemi, MD, spoke in this episode of the podcast about his own reflections on the personal and professional experiences forming his approach to dermatologic care, especially for patient populations considered to be underserved. Kazemi was asked about his journey into dermatology and shared about the background that led to his commitment to closing gaps in dermatologic care access.