Drs. Neal Bhatia and Ted Rosen Present New Therapeutics ‘Popping’ in 2026

In their annual overview of therapeutics at Maui Derm Hawaii 2026, Ted Rosen, MD, and Neal Bhatia, MD, used a K-Pop Demon Hunters theme to walk through emerging strategies across inflammatory skin diseases.

Drs. Rosen and Bhatia emphasized a shift toward non‑steroidal topicals that can be used safely in sensitive areas including the scalp and eyelids, where traditional therapies often fail. Topical JAK inhibition has risen as a key option: Ruxolitinib cream has US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for AD in patients 12 and older, demonstrating rapid itch reduction and improved skin clearance. In the phase 3 TRuE‑AD trials, ruxolitinib significantly improved EASI and IGA outcomes at 8 weeks vs vehicle, with favorable safety and minimal systemic exposure.

For chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), Dr. Rosen and Dr. Bhatia highlighted new systemic options beyond antihistamines and biologics such as omalizumab. They described BTK inhibitors (eg, remibrutinib) that block mast‑cell activation downstream of multiple receptors. Phase 3 REMI studies have shown rapid reductions in UAS (urticaria activity score) 7 and sustained symptomatic control with BTK inhibition.

Dupilumab also showed efficacy in CSU by reducing itch and hive burden, typically seen after several weeks of therapy.

Another major advance discussed was the emergence of oral IL‑23 receptor blockers, acting upstream of IL‑23/IL‑17 signaling. Early phase 3 data showed this class achieving psoriasis area severity index (PASI) 90/100 responses comparable to existing oral and biologic agents in moderate‑to‑severe plaque psoriasis.

The speakers also highlighted progress in prurigo nodularis (PN): beyond anti‑IL‑31 approaches (eg, nemolizumab), newer agents target distinct pathways. Phase 2b data suggest novel inhibitory molecules significantly reduce itch intensity and nodule count, with safety signals supporting continued development.

Itching is a primary driver of poor quality of life across many dermatoses. Drs. Bhatia and Rosen reiterated the utility of digital patient‑reported outcomes such as Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (PP‑NRS) and composite itch measures as clinical trial endpoints that now inform real‑world practice.

Drs. Rosen and Bhatia described an increasingly rich pipeline for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Beyond TNF inhibition and IL‑17 pathways, emerging monoclonal antibodies against novel targets (eg, IL‑1α/IL‑1β) have shown preliminary reductions in lesion pain and count in phase 2 trials.

Although three drugs are now FDA‑approved for alopecia areata, the speakers noted off‑label investigation of other systemic agents, such as JAK inhibitors showing meaningful hair regrowth. SALT score outcomes achieving ≤20% hair loss are clinically significant and mirrored in emerging real‑world data.

Looking ahead beyond 2025, Dr. Rosen and Dr. Bhatia discussed several areas of future therapeutic application:

• TYK2 inhibitors with enhanced specificity demonstrating PASI responses rivaling existing compounds.
• Vitiligo agents under study for induction and durability of repigmentation.
• Topical agents for mild‑to‑moderate HS and other chronic inflammatory disorders.
• Systemic therapies evaluated in lupus, cutaneous lupus, and potentially other autoimmune dermatoses.

The “K‑Pop Demon Hunters” theme served as a playful analogy for advancing beyond old paradigms to new, targeted mechanisms that more precisely interrupt disease drivers. From topical JAKs in AD, oral IL‑23 receptor blockers in psoriasis, BTK inhibitors in urticaria, to evolving biologics in PN and HS, the therapeutic landscape is rapidly expanding.