News

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, “…

Gold weight implants were safely implanted under the eyelids of a woman with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), according to a recent report. Despite their limited effectiveness in reducing her difficulties completely closing her eyelids — a condition called lagophthalmos — the “safety and tolerability of the gold weight…

The 6th annual Plunge for Elodie is set to raise more than $2 million for epidermolysis bullosa (EB) research, EB Research Partnership (EBRP) has announced. The event, taking place from March 25 to April 2, invites supporters to plunge into freezing waters at one of the official…

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…

A proof-of-concept trial evaluating the effects of Relief Therapeutics’ antimicrobial wound spray RLF-TD011 — formerly known as APR-TD011 — in people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) has enrolled its first three patients, the company announced. RLF-TD011 is a highly pure form of hypochlorous acid, a chemical with broad-spectrum…

Airway involvement is a rare but burdensome and life-threatening manifestation of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) that requires prompt and proper management, according to a recent case report. Researchers in Saudi Arabia described four children with EB who were brought to their clinic showing involvement of their larynx, or voice box,…

New study findings point to neutrophils, a type of immune cells, as possible players in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) — and to an enzyme in them as a potential therapeutic target for the autoimmune disease. Taking away that enzyme, called spleen tyrosine kinase or SYK, from neutrophils stopped EBA…

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…

The level of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) in blood may help diagnose more children with anemia, a condition caused by having too few red blood cells that’s common in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a study suggests. The study, “Iron status and burden of anemia in children with…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has delayed by three months its review deadline for Krystal Biotech’s gene therapy gel Vyjuvek (beremagene geperpavec) for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). The decision on Krystal’s application for approval of Vyjuvek, previously expected by mid-February this year, has been…

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…

Disease activity may remain stable over years in people with epidermolysis bullosa, but will increase in the absence of treatment, according to a new report from a team of researchers in Australia. The team used the Epidermolysis Bullosa Disease Activity and Scarring Index, known as EBDASI — a…