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Dermatology Research

The Saint Louis University Department of Dermatology has extensive experience conducting industry-sponsored clinical trials and investigator-initiated research. The SLU department’s board-certified specialists and sub-specialists provide comprehensive care, as well as cutting-edge research in general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic and laser surgery, cutaneous oncologic surgery and dermatopathology.

The large, established dermatology clinical practice enables the department to attract multisite trials in various phases of drug and treatment research in addition to faculty-designed clinical research. Studies have involved research for the treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, pemphigus, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, pre-cancerous conditions, melanoma, hyperhidrosis, cosmetic devices and procedures and other dermatological conditions.

Dermatology Department Primary Investigators

  • M. Yadira Hurley, M.D.
    Clinical trials, complex medical dermatologic conditions
  • Ramona Behshad, M.D.
    Clinical trials, surgical oncologic dermatology
  • Elaine Siegfried, M.D.
    Clinical trials, pediatric dermatology

Research Team 

  • M. Yadira Hurley, M.D.
    Director, clinical research
  • Rhonda Lebbing
    Research coordinator and director
  • Maddie Bicklein
    Research coordinator
  • Brittani Jones, M.D.
    Research fellow and sub-investigator
  • Fahd Malik, M.D.
    Research fellow and sub-investigator

Dermatology Research Fellowship

The Department of Dermatology Division of Dermatology Research offers a two-year research fellowship.

The research fellow acts as a sub-investigator on multiple sponsored clinical trials and participates in the design, implementation, and publication of studies. In addition to research, the fellow will provide patient care in the faculty dermatology clinics and participate in academic activities with the dermatology residents.

Applicant must have completed a minimum of PGY-1 at an ACGME-accredited program before starting the fellowship and must be eligible to obtain a Missouri medical license.

For information on the research fellowship, contact Rhonda Lebbing at rhonda.lebbing@health.slu.edu or visit the Fellowship Training web page.

Currently Enrolling Clinical Trials

Psoriasis

Primary investigator: M. Yadira Hurley, M.D.

IMO11-1130: A Phase 3b/4 Multi-center, Randomized, Open-label, Long-term Safety Study of Deucravacitinib in Comparison to Ustekinumab in Participants with Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis 

  • Sponsor: Bristol Myers Squibb
  • ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT116967
  • Ages: 40 and up
  • Must have at least 1 Cardiovascular Risk Factor (smoking, obese, H/O CV disease, …)

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Primary investigator: M. Yadira Hurley, M.D.

M23-698: A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Adult and Adolescent Subjects with Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa Who Have Failed Anti-TNF Therapy.

  • Sponsor: abbVie
  • ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05889182
  • Upadacitinib is an oral, selective, and reversible JAK inhibitor.
  • Ages: 2 and up
  • Participants who complete this trial will be eligible to have medication provided for free for up to 3 years afterwards.

Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

Primary investigator: Elaine Siegfried, M.D.

B7451023: A 16-Week, Multicenter, Interventional, Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group Study to Investigate Efficacy and Safety of Abrocitinib in Children 6 to less than 12 Years of Age with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis.

If you have any questions or have a patient who could be considered for a clinical research trial, contact Fahd Malik, M.D., dermatology research fellow, at fahd.malik@health.slu.edu or forward the chart with an Epic message.