Visual Assessment Tools and Therapeutic Implications for Acanthosis Nigricans

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Clinical Trials
• Therapeutic Assessment

Background:

• Acanthosis nigricans disproportionately affects individuals with skin of color.
• Currently, no therapies for acanthosis nigricans are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Effective assessment tools are needed to monitor treatment efficacy in clinical trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate existing visual scoring tools for acanthosis nigricans severity.
• To determine the utility of these tools in monitoring therapeutic response within clinical trials.
• To identify needs for future acanthosis nigricans assessment tool development.

Main Methods:

• A review of five visual scoring tools for acanthosis nigricans severity was conducted.
• The tools were analyzed for their effectiveness in assessing disease progression and treatment response.
• Considerations for incorporating lesion size and detailed descriptors were examined.

Main Results:

• The Acanthosis Nigricans Scoring Chart (ANSC) demonstrated the highest effectiveness for monitoring acanthosis nigricans severity during therapy.
• The Acanthosis Nigricans Area and Severity Index (ANASI) is a viable option for split-neck clinical trial designs.
• Future tools require standardized descriptions and images for improved reliability.

Conclusions:

• A universally accepted acanthosis nigricans severity assessment tool is essential for advancing treatment development.
• Improved assessment methods are critical for addressing healthcare disparities in affected populations, especially those with skin of color.
• Standardized and reliable tools will facilitate the development of effective therapies for acanthosis nigricans.