Abstract
Chronic hand eczema (CHE) is a common and burdensome inflammatory skin condition seen in up to 10% of the population, more often in high-risk occupational workers. Topical therapeutics comprise the standard of care, but up to 65% of cases do not resolve after treatment, and moderate-to-severe cases are often resistant to topical therapeutics and require systemic options instead. To date, there are no systemic therapeutics approved to treat CHE in the United States, but several drugs are under investigation as potential treatments for CHE. The primary focus of this review is on the novel therapeutics, topical and systemic, that are under investigation in recently completed or currently ongoing trials. This review also briefly outlines the existing treatments utilized for CHE, often with limited success or extensive adverse effects. CHE represents a major challenge for physicians and patients alike, and efforts to improve the minimally invasive diagnostic tools and treatment paradigms are ongoing. In the near future, CHE patients may benefit from new topical and systemic therapeutics that specifically target abnormally expressed immune markers.
Abbreviations
ACD, allergic contact dermatitis; CHE, chronic hand eczema; ICD, irritant contact dermatitis; JAK, janus kinase; SYK, spleen tyrosine kinase.
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
Celina Dubin and Ester Del Duca report no conflicts of interest for this work. Emma Guttman-Yassky is an employee of Mount Sinai and has received research funds (grants paid to the institution) from Abbvie, Almirall, Amgen, AnaptysBio, Asana Biosciences, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Celgene, Dermavant, DS Biopharma, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Ichnos Sciences, Innovaderm, Janssen, Kiniska, Kyowa Kirin, Leo Pharma, Novan, Pfizer, Ralexar, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sienna Biopharma, UCB and Union Therapeutics; and is a consultant for Abbvie, Aditum Bio, Almirall, Amgen, Asana Biosciences, AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cara Therapeutics, Celgene, Concert, DBV, Dermira, DS Biopharma, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Escalier, Galderma, Ichnos Sciences, Incyte Kyowa Kirin, Leo Pharma, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Pandion Therapeutics, Pfizer, RAPT Therapeutics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanofi, Sienna Biopharma, Target PharmaSolutions and Union Therapeutics, and reports no other potential conflicts of interest for this work.