F067 Rheumatology for the Dermatologist: Evaluating the Rheumatology Patient in the Dermatology Clinic
DESCRIPTION
The “Rheumatology for the Dermatologist” session at AAD 2026 will offer dermatologists cutting-edge updates on autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases. Rapid-fire talks by leading experts will explore targeted and cell-based therapies in dermatomyositis, practical management of systemic sclerosis, evolving CLE and SLE treatments, emerging cellular and fibrosis therapies, autoimmune toxicity in immuno-oncology, modern serologic interpretation, and inflammatory arthritis differentials. Designed for dermatologists, the session highlights diagnostic precision, novel therapeutics, and multidisciplinary care at the dermatology–rheumatology interface.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Discuss emerging therapies for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), including novel biologics, small molecules, and precision approaches targeting immune and molecular pathways driving disease.
Interpret serologic and biomarker data to improve diagnosis, disease stratification, and management across autoimmune and connective tissue skin diseases.
Apply multidisciplinary strategies for complex autoimmune dermatoses, integrating advances in systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis, arthritis, and immune checkpoint–related toxicities.
SCHEDULE
3:30 PM
Dermatomyositis at a Crossroads: From Conventional Immunosuppression to Targeted and Cell-Based Therapies
Scott Elman, MD, FAAD
3:42 PM
The Evolving Treatment Paradigm in CLE and SLE: Biologics, Small Molecules, and Beyond
Joseph Merola, MD, MSc, FAAD
3:54 PM
A Path Forward: Outcome Measures in CLE
Benjamin F. Chong, MD, MSc, FAAD
4:06 PM
Checkpoint Chaos: Managing Autoimmune Skin Disease in the Era of Immuno-Oncology
Meghan M. Heberton, MD, FAAD
4:18 PM
Serologies 2.0: Decoding Autoantibodies for the Modern Dermatologist
Jeffrey Smith, PhD, MD, FAAD
4:30 PM
Checkpoint Chaos: Managing Autoimmune Skin Disease in the Era of Immuno-Oncology
Meghan M. Heberton, MD, FAAD
4:42 PM
Inflammatory Arthritis Decoded: A Dermatologist’s Guide to PsA, RA, and Mimickers
Alice B. Gottlieb, MD, PhD, FAAD
4:54 PM
Cellular Therapy Comes to Autoimmunity: CAR-T and Beyond in Connective Tissue Disease
Heidi Tewich Jacobe, MD, FAAD
5:06 PM
Demystifying Systemic Sclerosis: Simplified Screening and Multi-Disciplinary Co-Management
Rebecca Gaffney, MD, FAAD
5:18 PM
Panel Q&A
DIRECTOR
Joseph Merola, MD, MSc, FAAD
SPEAKERS
Benjamin F. Chong, MD, MSc, FAAD
Scott Elman, MD, FAAD
Rebecca Gaffney, MD, FAAD
Alice B. Gottlieb, MD, PhD, FAAD
Meghan M. Heberton, MD, FAAD
Heidi Tewich Jacobe, MD, FAAD
Jeffrey Smith, PhD, MD, FAAD
DISCLOSURES
Benjamin F. Chong, MD, MSc, FAAD
Amgen – Other(Honoraria); AstraZeneca – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees); Biogen – Consultant(Honoraria), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Bristol-Myers Squibb – Consultant(Honoraria); Cesas Medical Limited – Speaker(Honoraria); EMD Serono – Consultant(Honoraria), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Horizon Pharma, Inc. – Consultant(Honoraria); Lupus Research Alliance – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Honoraria); MAPI Research Trust – Other(Patent royalties or other compensation for Intellectual Property Rights);
Scott Elman, MD, FAAD
Biogen – Consultant(Fees); Blueprint Medicines – Advisory Board(Fees); EMD Serono – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees); Pfizer Inc. – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding);
Rebecca Gaffney, MD, FAAD
No financial relationships exist with ineligible companies.
Alice B. Gottlieb, MD, PhD, FAAD
AbbVie – Data Safety Monitoring Board(Honoraria); amgen – Speaker/Faculty Education(Honoraria); BMS – Advisory Board(Honoraria), Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Boehringer Ingelheim – Advisory Board(Honoraria), Consultant(Honoraria); Eli Lilly – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Honoraria); janssen – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc – Advisory Board(Honoraria), Consultant(Honoraria); moonlake – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Novartis – Advisory Board(Honoraria), Consultant(Honoraria); Oruka Therapeutics – Advisory Board(Honoraria); Sanofi – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); sanofi-aventis – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Honoraria); Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Honoraria); Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Honoraria); ucb – Advisory Board(Honoraria); UCB – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding);
Meghan M. Heberton, MD, FAAD
Astellas Pharma US, Inc – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees); Blueprint Medicines – Advisory Board(Fees); Revolution Medicines – Advisory Board(Fees);
Heidi Tewich Jacobe, MD, FAAD
Bristol Myers Squibb – Other(No Compensation Received);
Joseph Merola, MD, MSc, FAAD
AbbVie – Consultant(Honoraria); Amgen – Advisory Board(Honoraria); AstraZeneca – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees); Biogen – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees); Boehringer Ingelheim – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees); Bristol-Myers Squibb – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees); Eli Lilly and Company – Consultant(Honoraria); Galderma – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees); Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc – Consultant(Honoraria); MoonLake Immunotherapeutics – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees); Novartis – Consultant(Honoraria); Pfizer Inc. – Investigator(Fees); Sanofi/Regeneron – Consultant(Honoraria); Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees); UCB – Consultant(Honoraria);
Jeffrey Smith, PhD, MD, FAAD
Biogen – Investigator(Grants/Research Funding); Formation Bio – Consultant (1099 relationship)(Fees);