An overview of new and emerging antibody therapies for moderate-severe atopic dermatitis in adults

ABSTRACT

Introduction

A comprehensive review of the English-language medical literature was performed searching for ongoing and closed clinical trials concerning new and emerging monoclonal antibody therapies for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults.

Areas covered

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease with a complex pathogenesis. In the last years, numerous advances in understanding the atopic dermatitis pathogenesis allowed to obtain several therapeutic options, such as numerous monoclonal antibodies. Some monoclonal antibodies, such as dupilumab (anti-IL-4 Rα) and tralokinumab (anti-IL13) are already approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, and numerous articles in the literature have demonstrated their efficacy and safety. As there are numerous drugs under investigation, this review focuses on emerging monoclonal antibody therapies.

Expert opinion

There are numerous monoclonal antibodies under investigation that may be approved in the near future for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Data from phase 2b and phase III clinical trials in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults indicate that these drugs have a promising efficacy and safety profile. Monoclonal antibodies currently under investigation will be available in the coming years to enrich the therapeutic choice of new alternatives that are valid both in terms of efficacy and safety.

KEYWORDS:

• Adult atopic dermatitis
• emerging monoclonal antibodies
• Lebrikizumab
• GBR 830
• Amlitelimab
• Rocatinlimab
• Etokimab
• Tezepelumab
• Bermekimab

Article highlights

• Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease that can occur in childhood and may resolve before adulthood or be present with a chronic relapsing course until adulthood (persistent AD). It can also occur in adulthood (adult-onset AD).

• Numerous factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.

• Inflammation in AD is mainly caused by cells of innate and adaptive immune system and by numerous chemokines and cytokines produced by them, such as IL-4, IL-13, IL-22, IL-31 and IL-17. They are the target of numerous monoclonal antibodies already approved or under investigation for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

• The emerging monoclonal antibodies discussed in this review targets IL-13, OX40-OX40L, IL-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL-1 and in the future some of them will probably be valid therapeutic alternatives for atopic dermatitis, in terms of both efficacy and safety.

• Data about new emerging therapies efficacy and adverse events recorded in phase 2b and phase III clinical trials have been discussed.

Declaration of interest

M Napolitano acted as speaker, consultant and advisory board member for Sanofi, Abbvie, Leo Pharma, Novartis and Eli Lilly. 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.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.