Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Itch is a common symptom with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) and available treatments are generally inadequate for managing it. That’s according to “Itch in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: findings of PEBLES, a prospective register study,” published in the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. “The…

Paradigm Therapeutics has acquired worldwide rights to SD-101, an investigational cream that’s being developed as a whole-body therapy to promote wound healing and ease pain and itching in all forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB). The company now plans to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)…

The use of biological anti-inflammatory therapies effectively controlled epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) in four people with the disease, a recent study reports. “According to our clinical experience and literature data in severe EBA cases with rapid progress, biologicals should be considered promptly,” the researchers wrote. They added that the…

Abeona Therapeutics has submitted a data briefing package on its cell therapy candidate EB-101 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ahead of a meeting with the agency planned for this month. The meeting’s purpose is to discuss Abeona’s planned application seeking approval of EB-101 to treat recessive …

People with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) developed fewer new wounds after getting treatment with skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells, a new clinical trial analysis shows. The treatment also led to newly developed wounds healing more quickly, and healed wounds more frequently remained closed. The study, “Kinetics of…

Issues with wound healing may play a central role in driving severe forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a new paper proposes. Scientists think that, in EB, wounds may enter a vicious cycle where they become inflamed as they try to heal, but then are unable to resolve the healing…

A never-before-reported mutation in the KRT14 gene caused epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) in a family in China. The new mutation was described in the case report, “Large intragenic deletion of KRT14 causes autosomal-dominant epidermolysis bullosa simplex with generalized hyperpigmentation,” published in the Journal of Dermatological Science.

Onconova Therapeutics and Pangea Biomed are teaming up to identify biomarkers that can help predict a response to the experimental cancer therapy rigosertib in people with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Multiple clinical trials are underway to test rigosertib — developed by Onconova — as a potential treatment…

People with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) are at a higher risk of developing other autoimmune disorders, certain types of cancers, and heart diseases, a study suggests. The findings also indicate that other autoimmune diseases as well as some infections may be risk factors for EBA. The study, “…

Tofacitinib, a therapy approved for certain inflammatory diseases effectively controlled symptoms of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) in a man with the disease. The case was described as a letter to the editor titled “Treatment of Recurrent Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita With Tofacitinib” in JAMA Dermatology. EBA is a…

Topical morphine gel can help to ease pain related to wounds in people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a new report suggests. The treatment was used with good results in three EB patients in the U.K. “The case studies suggest a positive effect of topical morphine gel on painful wounds…

Blocking the activity of an immune cell receptor protein called FcyRIV prevented the development of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in mice, a new study reports. The findings suggest this protein as a potential therapeutic target for this form of epidermolysis bullosa. The study, “Therapeutic effects of…