An innovative therapy has shown promise for treating atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema.

This is important news since 31.6 million people (10%) in the USA have some form of eczema with prevalence peaking in early childhood.

This small, proof-of-concept study, led by scientists from the University of Oxford is the first clinical trial in humans to show that atopic dermatitis could be treated by targeting an immune signaling molecule called IL-33.

The molecule that etokimab targets, IL-33, is released by damaged skin cells and ‘recruits’ immune cells to the site. The researchers wanted to understand if blocking IL-33 altered the influx of immune cells associated with inflammation.

Twelve adult patients received a single systemic administration of etokimab. Rapid and sustained clinical benefit was observed, with 83 percent achieving Eczema Area and Severity Index 50 (EASI50), and 33 percent EASI75, with a 40 percent reduction in peripheral eosinophils at day 29 after administration.

These researchers found that after the etokimab treatment, patients had fewer neutrophils, immune cells involved in inflammation, moving to these sites.

Professor Graham Ogg, of the MRC Human Immunology Unit and Oxford BRC, who led the study, said in an October 23, 2019, press release, “This clinical trial is the first time we’ve looked at how blocking IL-33 can help patients with atopic dermatitis and we have found they experienced significant improvement in their symptoms after a single dose.”

“New antibody therapies, like etokimab, are exquisitely specific, in what they target and they have the potential to help patients and to help us better understand the disease.”

“These results are only very preliminary, and we need to be cautious.”

“I’m very grateful and humbled by all the patients who’ve generously contributed skin and blood samples over the years to help us to understand the underlying the processes that contribute to their atopic dermatitis – our research completely depends on such support,” Graham concluded.

Eczema is an umbrella term used to describe a group of medical conditions that cause dry, discolored, itchy and inflamed skin, says the National Eczema Association (NEA).

People with one type of eczema may also go on to develop other types depending on genetics and exposure to environmental triggers.

There are seven common types of eczema:

Atopic dermatitis – caused by a malfunction in the immune system and problems with the skin barrier.

Contact dermatitis – a result of skin touching a known irritant and/or allergen.

Dyshidrotic eczema – occurs on the feet and hands as itchy blisters, usually caused by exposure to allergens.

Neurodermatitis (also known as lichen simplex chronicus) – results in thick, scaly patches on the skin, often caused by too much scratching and rubbing.

Nummular eczema (also known as discoid eczema) – usually caused by allergens or very dry skin and appears as round lesions that can weep fluid, especially in older populations.

Seborrheic dermatitis – white or yellow flaky, greasy patches in places with more oil-producing glands, caused by a combination of genetics, hormones, and microorganisms on the skin.

Stasis dermatitis – happens when poor circulation to the legs causes the veins to swell and leak fluid, causing swelling and skin redness and itch, mostly in older populations.

The study results were published in Science Translational Medicine, which has led to a larger clinical trial involving 300 participants.

The trial, funded by the company AnaptysBio Inc, was led by researchers funded by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre and the UKRI Medical Research Council and based at the MRC Human Immunology Unit at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Eczema Vaccine News published by Precision Vaccinations