SummaryBackground Conventional systemic therapies for plaque psoriasis have not fully met the needs of patients, and although current biologic treatments are generally well tolerated, concerns exist with respect to long-term safety. Interleukin (IL)-17A is believed to be an important effector cytokine in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and is produced by Th17 cells, a class of helper T cells that act outside the established Th1 ⁄Th2 paradigm for regulation of innate and adaptive immunity. Objectives To assess the efficacy and safety of different doses of secukinumab, a fully human anti-IL-17A IgG1j monoclonal antibody, in patients with moderateto-severe plaque psoriasis. Methods Patients (n = 125) were randomized 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 to receive subcutaneous doses of placebo (n = 22) or secukinumab [1 · 25 mg (n = 29), 3 · 25 mg (n = 26), 3 · 75 mg (n = 21) or 3 · 150 mg (n = 27)] at weeks 0, 4 and 8. After the 12-week treatment period, patients entered a follow-up period of 24 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was at least 75% improvement from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (PASI 75); secondary outcomes included the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) and PASI 90 and 50 response rates. Results After 12 weeks of treatment, secukinumab 3 · 150 mg and 3 · 75 mg resulted in significantly higher PASI 75 response rates vs. placebo (82% and 57% vs. 9%; P < 0AE001 and P = 0AE002, respectively). Higher PASI 75 response rates compared with placebo were maintained throughout the follow-up period with these dosages [week 36, 26% (n = 7) and 19% (n = 4) vs. 4% (n = 1), respectively], with a gradual decline of PASI 75 response over time after the dosing period. IGA response rates were significantly higher in the 3 · 150 mg group vs. placebo at week 12 (48% vs. 9%; P = 0AE005) and were consistently higher for the 3 · 150 mg and 3 · 75 mg groups vs. placebo at all time points from week 4 onward. The PASI 90 response rate was significantly higher in the 3 · 150 mg group vs. placebo (52% vs. 5%) at week 12 and remained higher during the follow-up period. Secukinumab was well tolerated. Two cases of neutropenia (£ grade 2) were reported in the 3 · 150 mg cohort. Conclusions Treatment with subcutaneous secukinumab 3 · 75 mg and 3 · 150 mg met the primary outcome of PASI 75 response achievement after 12 weeks, demonstrating efficacy in moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Regular emollient use in children with mild to moderate AD reduces flares and corticosteroid consumption.

These results demonstrate that the regular use of emollients in children with mild-to-moderate AD reduces the severity of symptoms and, therefore, support their use as a first-line treatment for these patients.

Background The use of UV‐emitting tanning devices for cosmetic purposes is associated with an increased risk of melanoma and non‐melanoma skin cancer. Young women are the most frequent users, therefore, there is an increasing concern about the regulation of sunbed use. Objective The primary objective is to assess the current legislation on sunbed use among European countries. Methods We developed a 30‐item questionnaire to gather the most relevant information about sunbed use legislation. The questionnaire was sent to Euromelanoma coordinators and to designated coordinators out of the Euromelanoma network. Results We obtained a response rate of 64%. More than 25% of the countries did not report any specific legislation. Roughly one‐third of the countries does not have a restriction for minors. Even in countries with a specific legislation, a lack or insufficient enforcement of age limit was observed in up to 100% of the inspections based on the PROSAFE report from 2012. Self‐tanning devices were reported in 50%, and almost 40% of countries do not require supervision of use. Although a warning display is required in 77% of cases, a signed informed consent is not required in 80%. In the vast majority of cases, the number of licensed or closed tanning centres is unknown. Conclusions Despite the evidence of its harmful effects, and its frequent use by young people, many of whom are at high risk of skin cancer because of fair skin, a significant number of European countries lack a specific legislation on tanning devices. In order to limit the access of young people to sunbeds, a more strictly enforced regulation is needed, as well as regulation regarding advertisement, and location of tanning centres, in addition to health promotion campaigns that target the vulnerable population of young women seeking its use for improved cosmesis.

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is caused by autosomal dominant mutations, and is characterized by pigmentary anomalies and various defects of neural crest derived tissues. We report a very interesting case of type 1 WS (WS 1) in an adult who presented all the symptoms characteristic of this syndrome. One particularly important clinical feature of WS is congenital hearing loss, which may severely handicap a child. A careful clinical description is useful to differentiate between various types of WS and other associated auditory-pigmentary syndromes. Type WS 1, characterized by dystopia canthorum, is caused by loss of function mutations in the PAX3 gene.