title: Discontinued dermatological drugs in 2014.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermatology is a relatively small field concerned with conditions of the hair, skin, nails and their related diseases; yet there is considerable active research and development within the field. Pharmaceutical companies seek more effective treatments through various therapeutic classes and delivery routes. However, 28 drugs have been discontinued for the treatment of dermatologic diseases in 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  Herein, the authors summarize the details about each discontinued drug in 2014. The dermatological conditions covered are: psoriasis, eczema, leg ulcers, wounds, allergies, acne, scleroderma, lupus erythematosus, urticaria, mastocytosis, epidermolysis bullosa, onychomycosis and one other unspecified disease. The authors also provide suggestions for improving and accelerating the future of dermatological drug development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is clear that improved metrics, especially for early assessment, emphasizing clinical relevance, are necessary to increase success rate. Transparency and clear communication within the field is necessary to reduce and salvage the waste that accumulates from these costly studies. Focused attention on how preclinical and early clinical studies failed to indicate subsequent toxicity profiles in patients would accelerate drug development. Distinguishing between disappointing study results and business/financial factors is important when analyzing discontinuations. A reformed approach toward study design would aid both. Ultimately, relevance and practicality for the patient must be kept in mind at all times.
authors.affiliation: a University of California, Department of Dermatology , Surge Building Room 110, 90 Medical Center Way, San Francisco, CA 94143-0989, USA +1 415 673 9690 ; +1 415 673 3533 ; cphuong49@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phuong
authors.affiliation: a University of California, Department of Dermatology , Surge Building Room 110, 90 Medical Center Way, San Francisco, CA 94143-0989, USA +1 415 673 9690 ; +1 415 673 3533 ; cphuong49@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Howard I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Maibach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015195:Drug Design; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004345:Drug Industry; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational
keywords: acne; allergy; asthma; cutaneous bioengineering; dermatology; discontinued drugs; eczema; epidermolysis bullosa; leg ulcers; lupus erythematosus; mastocytosis; onychomycosis; psoriasis; scleroderma; urticaria; wound healing