JCMS Editor-in-chief Dr Kirk Barber speaks with Dr Neil Shear about research he conducted along with his co-authors to determine the efficacy, adverse effects, and safety profile of methotrexate therapy in patients with atopic dermatitis. Dr Neil Shear is the Head of Dermatology at Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre. He is also a professor in Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Toronto. The study found that methotrexate is an effective treatment for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis with an acceptable safety profile. As well, it found a low dose can be used to control the disease for prolonged periods without significant risk. In this world of expensive biologics and the new JAK Inhibitors, Dr Barber tells Dr Shear he found it reassuring to learn dermatologists can turn to an affordable therapy.

Theme music: "Start of the Day" by Lee Rosevere licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License