Highlighting Therapeutic Updates for Atopic Dermatitis and Itch, With Lawrence Eichenfield, MD

At the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii conference, the ‘Atopic Dermatitis and Pruritus: Current Concepts and Therapeutics for 2026’ talk was presented, with 3 speakers highlighting the emergence of monoclonal antibodies, oral Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, and topical non-steroidal drugs into dermatology practices.^1,2

Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, was 1 such presenter. Eichenfield spoke in an interview with HCPLive regarding highlights from this session.

“My duty was to go through some of the topical treatments, and that's been a remarkably rapidly changing place,” Eichenfield explained. “I went through what I called our sort of new, younger non-steroids and our more senior non-steroid topicals.”

Throughout their session, Eichenfield and his fellow panelists covered advancements in dermatology, focusing on topical drugs and systemic medicines. The updates included the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of new non-steroidal topicals such as tapinarof and ruxolitinib.

They also touched on the extended approval of ruxolitinib for younger patients. In their talk, the panelists’ discussion also covered the importance of managing topical steroid withdrawal, also known as TSW. The 3 panelists highlighted counseling in atopic dermatitis and systemic treatments for children as young as 6 months with the skin disease.

Eichenfield was asked about future developments in the dermatology field in 2026, including OX40 and IL-13 mediator pathway targets. Alopecia areata and vitiligo were described as continuing to see significant research, with topical ruxolitinib showing promise.

To find out more insights on various dermatologic conditions, view updates to coverage of the 2026 Maui Derm Conference here.

The quotes included in this video summary were edited for clarity.

Disclosures: Eichenfield previously reported receiving personal fees from Pfizer Inc; grant funding from AbbVie, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Bausch + Lomb, Castle Biosciences, Dermavant Sciences Inc, Galderma SA, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron, and Sanofi SA and consulting for ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie, Almirall, SA, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc, Dermavant Sciences Inc, Galderma SA, Incyte Corporation, LEO Pharma A/S, Eli Lilly and Company, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer Inc, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, Sanofi SA, and UCB; and serving on the board of directors of Forté Pharma.

References

1. Eichenfield L, Silverberg J, Chovatiya R. Atopic Dermatitis and Pruritus: Current Concepts and Therapeutics for 2026. Presented at: Maui Derm Hawaii 2026; January 25-29, 2026; Maui, Hawaii.

2. Gallagher K, Halperin-Goldstein S, Paller AS. New treatments in atopic dermatitis update. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2025 Nov;135(5):498-510.e10. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2025.06.020. Epub 2025 Jun 23. PMID: 40562170.