Patch Testing and JAK Inhibitors: Key Takeaways from Elevate-Derm Summer Conference
Park City, UT – Patch testing, while possibly daunting, offers transformative benefits for patients suffering from chronic dermatitis, according to insights shared by Dr. Walter Liszewski at the 2025 Elevate-Derm Summer Conference. Dr. Liszewski, a distinguished dermatologist and associate professor at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, highlighted the critical role of comprehensive patch testing and the practical integration of JAK inhibitors for atopic dermatitis (AD).
In his session, “Contact Dermatitis Conundrums,” Dr. Liszewski stressed the limitations of commercially available, narrow-panel patch test kits. he advocated for expanded allergen panels administered by specialists for patients experiencing persistent flares despite initial testing and treatment. A crucial follow-up step,he emphasized,is a thorough review of patients’ personal care products to identify hidden allergens,frequently enough masked by vague labeling. without targeted avoidance counseling, even accurate patch test results may fail to yield clinical improvement.Addressing the use of JAK inhibitors for AD in his session, “JAK Inhibitors: Practical Tips for integration Into Practice,” Dr. Liszewski challenged the categorical withholding of these agents based solely on demographic risk factors. He asserted that with appropriate monitoring, JAK inhibitors provide rapid and importent improvements, especially for patients unresponsive to biologics. dr.Liszewski also encouraged clinicians to confidently escalate JAK inhibitor dosing, citing extension trial data that demonstrates minimal increases in side effects alongside considerable gains in itch reduction, sleep quality, and skin clearance. He noted that patients transitioning from biologics to JAK inhibitors have consistently reported positive outcomes, underscoring the importance of individualized treatment strategies.”We certainly know, based on large-scale extension trial data, that when you increase the dose of things like Rinvoq or Cibinqo, rates of side effect increase are very minimal, but the improvement in quality of life, the improvement in itch, and the improvement in sleep goes up tremendously, and the benefits outweigh the risks,” concluded Dr.Liszewski.