Insights into future therapeutics for atopic dermatitis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a constellation of symptoms. Currently, there are numerous therapies in various phases of drug development that target the pathogenesis of AD.

Areas covered: Our paper aims to examine small molecule therapies and other novel agents registered for clinical trial in the phase II and mainly phase III stages of development. A literature search using PubMed as well as Clinicaltrials.gov was conducted. Clinical trial evidence of these novel agents was compiled and assessed. Both topical and oral novel therapies with diverse range of mechanistic action are currently being studied, with varying success. These include phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, boron molecules, Janus kinase inhibitors, cannabinoid receptors agonists, kappa-opioid receptor agonists. A variety of compounds with yet undisclosed or unknown mechanisms of action are also being studied.

Expert opinion: Further research through extensive clinical trials will allow for more information about these targeted therapies and their potential place in the treatment algorithm of AD. Due to the success of such therapies in treating a spectrum of chronic inflammatory diseases, we remain hopeful that the successful development of targeted therapy for AD lies ahead.

KEYWORDS:

• Small molecule therapy
• atopic dermatitis
• topical treatment
• future therapeutics
• clinical trials
• oral treatment
• eczema

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Corrigendum

Article highlights

• Groundbreaking basic science research into the complex pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) has allowed researchers to greatly expand the working knowledge of this disease process.

• In recent years, targeted therapies have become a focus of AD treatment research, in a movement parallel to that of the psoriasis treatment paradigm shift.

• Small molecule therapies and others targeting specific immune pathways for AD are currently being studied in various phases along the drug development pipeline.

• Consideration of these targeted therapies that may offer better long-term effectiveness with minimal safety concerns is important for providers with AD patients.

• While current results are promising, further research is needed to elucidate the full potential of these targeted therapies for the treatment of AD and their place among the AD treatment armamentarium.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

S Feldman is a speaker for Janssen and Taro. He is a consultant and speaker for Novartis, Galderma, Stiefel/GlaxoSmithKline, Abbott Labs, Leo Pharma Inc. S Feldman has received grants from Galderma, Janssen, Abbott Labs, Amgen Inc, Stiefel/GlaxoSmithKline, Celgene and Anacor. He is a consultant for Amgen Inc, Baxter, Caremark, Gerson Lehrman Group, Guidepoint Global, Hanall Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Kikaku, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co., Merz Pharmaceuticals, Mylan, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Inc, Qurient, Suncare Research and Xenoport. He is on an advisory board for Pfizer Inc. S Feldman is the founder and holds stock in Causa Research and holds stock and is majority owner in Medical Quality Enhancement Corporation. He receives Royalties from UpToDate and Xlibris. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript has not been funded.