From 25 to 28 September 2024, Amsterdam hosted the largest European event dedicated to dermatology and venereology: the EADV Congress 2024. Held at the RAI Convention Centre, the meeting brought together more than 11,000 professionals—both in-person and online—for four intense days of clinical updates, research breakthroughs, and socially driven projects.
Now in its 35th edition, the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) delivered a rich scientific programme with over 170 sessions. Below is a summary of the most impactful findings presented.
Semaglutide: A Dual Benefit for Obese Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa
A clinical study from Ireland presented promising data on semaglutide, a GLP-1 analogue already used for weight loss, in patients suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)—a chronic and painful skin disease closely linked to obesity.
The study showed that patients treated with weekly doses of semaglutide not only lost weight but also experienced a reduction in HS flares, lower levels of inflammation, and improved quality of life. These preliminary results suggest that weight loss medication may also serve as an effective adjunct treatment for this difficult-to-treat condition.
Detecting Early-Stage Melanoma Using Tumour-Specific Antibodies
An Australian research group introduced a new blood test that could detect early-stage melanoma using antibodies targeting tumour-specific antigens (CTAgs). In a cohort of newly diagnosed patients, the method achieved over 98% sensitivity in identifying early melanoma, offering a potential non-invasive screening tool.
The test works by analysing immune responses triggered by cancer-testis antigens, producing a unique biomarker signature. Its accuracy and practicality make it a strong candidate for integration into clinical practice, especially in ambiguous cases or high-risk populations.
Wound Healing: New Molecular Targets Identified
Chronic wounds affect nearly one billion people worldwide and represent a major healthcare burden. Researchers from Germany used ex vivo human skin models to investigate why certain wounds fail to heal and identified key molecular imbalances in chronic versus acute wounds.
Topical application of FGF7 (a growth factor promoting epithelial regeneration) and a neutralising antibody against MMP10 (a tissue-degrading enzyme) showed enhanced re-epithelialisation in both types of wounds. Furthermore, a novel peptide derived from osteopontin also accelerated healing, offering new therapeutic possibilities for managing difficult wounds.
Psoriasis and Stress: A Proven Biological Connection
One of the most talked-about studies at the congress demonstrated that psychological stress can directly trigger psoriasis relapse. Using human skin grafts in a mouse model, researchers showed that exposure to sound stress led to the reactivation of psoriatic lesions in all cases.
The study also tested aprepitant, a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, which successfully prevented relapses in 80% of the models. The results confirm the role of the neuroimmune axis in psoriasis and open up new treatment avenues for stress-related disease flares.
From Clinics to Classrooms and Market Stalls
The congress wasn’t confined to academic walls. Two impactful outreach initiatives—Skin@theMarket and Skin@School—translated dermatology into accessible, community-driven actions.
At Amsterdam’s Dappermarkt, dermatologists offered free multilingual consultations, debunking myths and answering public questions about skin health. Meanwhile, in Dutch primary schools, the Skin@School programme taught children aged 4–12 about skin care, diversity, sun protection, and how to distinguish online misinformation—fostering empathy and awareness from an early age.
EADV 2024 reaffirmed that dermatology is more than skin deep. It is science, prevention, mental health, and public education—all interconnected. With advances in biomarkers, wound care, and psycho-dermatology, alongside projects that humanise and democratise the discipline, the congress reflected a field in full transformation. Skin may be our outermost layer, but understanding it helps us understand ourselves.
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