Written by: Lennard M. Goetze, Ed.D / Robert L. Bard, MD
DR. MARK LEBWOHL, a distinguished figure in dermatology and Dean for Clinical Therapeutics at Mount Sinai, recently shared insights into groundbreaking research and innovations in dermatological care. His extensive contributions have transformed the field, particularly in inflammatory skin diseases, neurocutaneous conditions, and skin cancer diagnostics.
BREAKTHROUGHS IN DERMATOLOGY
Mount Sinai's dermatology research team is at the forefront of significant advancements. Dr. Brian Kim has been leading efforts in neurocutaneous symptoms, particularly in alleviating severe itching. His work continues to produce transformative discoveries, improving patient outcomes significantly.
Dr. Emma Guttman has revolutionized the understanding and treatment of alopecia areata, identifying its autoimmune causes and pioneering targeted therapies. Her research has shifted paradigms in dermatology, leading to safer and more effective treatments for hair loss, atopic dermatitis, and other immune-related skin disorders. One of her most notable achievements is the development of dupilumab, a drug that has benefited hundreds of thousands suffering from eczema. Her work has further extended into conditions like bullous pemphigoid, hand dermatitis, nummular eczema, and urticaria. "Our studies at Mount Sinai constantly lead to breakthrough discoveries that are translated to better patient care for patients with inflammatory skin diseases", states Dr. Guttman.
Innovations in Psoriasis and Vitiligo Treatment
The Mount Sinai team has also been at the cutting edge of psoriasis research, focusing on pustular psoriasis and pyoderma gangrenosum, two devastating conditions. Their ongoing efforts continue to refine treatments that dramatically improve patients’ lives. In the realm of vitiligo, they have challenged misconceptions that dismiss it as merely cosmetic. Instead, they highlight its deep psychological impact, particularly in patients with darker skin tones. Current therapies show promise in re-pigmenting skin, though the team continues to strive for faster and more effective solutions.
Leading Clinical Trials and Expanding Research
Dr. Lebwohl has played a pivotal role in expanding Mount Sinai’s clinical trials, aiming to introduce safer and more effective dermatological treatments. His leadership has helped establish one of the largest dermatology clinical trials units in the country, bringing new drugs to market that significantly improve patient care. His recruitment of Dr. Emma Guttman has further enhanced Mount Sinai’s research capabilities, securing extensive funding from both government and pharmaceutical sources.
Their investigations extend beyond inflammatory conditions into neurocutaneous disorders, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Mount Sinai offers unmatched diagnostic tools, including optical coherence tomography, confocal microscopy, and total body imaging using the Vectra system, setting a global benchmark for skin cancer detection.
Cutting-Edge Diagnostic Imaging and AI Integration
In dermatological diagnostics, advanced imaging plays a crucial role. Technologies like confocal microscopy and electrical impedance analysis aid in early cancer detection. The Vectra total body imaging system, one of the few available in the U.S., enables precise mole mapping, identifying changes that could indicate malignancy.
Artificial intelligence is also beginning to shape dermatology. AI-assisted diagnostics can analyze skin lesions and biopsy results, complementing the expertise of dermatopathologists. While AI will never replace doctors, it serves as a valuable tool, especially in identifying skin cancers and streamlining insurance approvals for life-changing medications.
First Responders and Skin Cancer Risks
Mount Sinai investigators have identified the increased risk of skin cancer among first responders, attributing it to heightened sun exposure and potential environmental toxins. Mount Sinai’s dedicated program for first responders has identified a significant number of skin cancer cases, underscoring the importance of routine screenings and preventive measures.
Philanthropy and Future Directions
Dr. Lebwohl has been instrumental in securing funding for research initiatives. His efforts led to the establishment of the Mark Lebwohl Center for Neurocutaneous Medicine, dedicated to advancing treatments for conditions like chronic itch. While humbled by the recognition, he remains focused on developing novel therapies and ensuring Mount Sinai remains a global leader in dermatology.
Conclusion
Dr. Mark Lebwohl and his colleagues at Mount Sinai continue to push the boundaries of dermatological research. Their pioneering work in inflammatory skin diseases, advanced imaging, AI integration, and clinical trials is transforming the landscape of dermatology, offering patients renewed hope and better quality of life. As they forge ahead, their commitment to scientific discovery ensures that dermatology remains at the forefront of medical innovation, improving lives worldwide.
Eye on Medical Innovations:
WOUND HEALING & the ARTIFICIAL SKIN
By definition, WOUND HEALING refers to the regeneration of damaged or destroyed skin/tissue by newly produced tissue. Upon a traumatic event to the body causing a breach or tear in the epithelial layer, a national and expected cascade of biochemical events is activated to repair the damage to form a protective barrier from the outside environment. This is our body's way of protecting itself from infection, bacteria or further injury. The process of wound-healing may encounter unforeseen failure in its natural regenerative process, leading to chronic disease and further wounds (ie. diabetic wounds or diabetic ulcers). This can lead to more serious infections and reinjury. BARDDIAGNOSTICS has joined the technological movement to advance wound healing science through real-time 3D ultrasound monitoring and laser thermographics. This aids the mitigation of the wound recovery process by immediately identifying the depth of the injury and the extent of the damage (neurological, vascular, circulatory) underneath. (see complete feature). Also see:
"Researching Exosomes for Skin Disorders".
First Responders Cancer: Inspiring a Global Diagnostic Upgrade
It has been confirmed by toxicologists and medical reports worldwide that OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DISORDERS are predominant in the fire service. First responders hold potential cancer risks from the most extreme toxic exposures in every fire rescue call. My diagnostic practice (in mid-town NYC) provided care for many first responders from 9/11 as well as current active duty firefighters. For those with low grade tumors, yearly monitoring with sonograms is a safe and easy solution- agreeing to be biopsied only when a significant change is noted in comparison. Thanks to non-invasive diagnostics, men relying on alternative treatments would come in to check if their “natural products” were helping. Experience showed over 50,000 scans since 1974 identified low grade cancer (Gleason 3+3) turns aggressive in less than 1% over a 10 year time frame.
The radiology community took time to appreciate that pathologic cancer tissue under microscope can be clinically dormant with some patients. This means a biopsy that looks like malignancy can act like a chronic disease. New high resolution ultrasound units and computerized optical devices are now used instead of MRI for diagnosing Prostate Cancer in Europe and guiding biopsies without x-rays. MRI has shown to be less accurate in the upper and lower parts of the prostate gland and has a 33% false positive rate in the presence of inflammation. When the sonogram finds prostatitis, MRI is deferred until the infection is resolved.
From our experience working with the many first responder cases, we have been alerted to the greatly increased risk of cancer following toxic exposure. Surprisingly, first responders are developing prostate and skin cancers at a higher rate than lung cancer. New portable sonogram systems are able to find and quantify the heavy metal effects on the skin in a 5 minute exam which is now called ULTRASOUND BIOMICROSCOPY. This is important since tissue under a microscope is not living while sonogram technology gives a live tissue real-time virtual biopsy.
RELATED ARTICLES
What makes for added concern are the numerous WHITE DOTS (calcific foci) surrounding the dark area which are micro-calcifications, otherwise called testicular microlithiasis (TM) or micro-stones. According to a 2018 study, this uncommon condition of micro-stones is linked to testicular cancer (as well as male infertility) possibly increasing one's risk as much as 1200%. While not technically a precancerous condition, any man with these microcalculi should be checked periodically whereby small tumors could be treated focally if caught early. Since this 9mm tumor cannot be felt by itself, the simplest way to accurately identify the cause of the enlarged testis is with a high resolution sonogram. This non invasive screening may be also recommended for male family members.
(See complete article)
Disclaimer & Copyright Notice: Copyright (c) 2021, IntermediaWorx inc. All Rights Reserved. Additional copyrights shared by: The AngioFoundation (501c3) and the publishers of Prevention101.org & The NY Cancer Resource Alliance [NYCRAlliance.org]. Contents in this article are provided publicly for informational purposes within non-commercial use and not for purposes of resale, distribution, commercial display or performance. Unless otherwise indicated on this web based page, no reproduction of any or all materials of this page is allowed without express/written permission from the publishers. Additional permission may be required from third-parties who have provided limited permission for our publishers to use their content, whereas licenses for some of this Content may contain additional terms. When such Content licenses contain additional terms, we will make these terms available to you on those pages (which his incorporated herein by reference).The publishers/producers of this site and its contents such as videos, graphics, text, and other materials published are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, please always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified health provider. Do not postpone or disregard any professional medical advice over something you may have seen or read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately. This website does not support, endorse or recommend any specific products, tests, physicians, procedures, treatment opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this site. Referencing any content or information seen or published in this website or shared by other visitors of this website is solely at your own risk. The publishers/producers of this Internet web site reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify, disable access to, or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, all or any part of this Internet web site or any information contained thereon without liability or notice to you.
