Treatment-resistant atopic dermatitis: challenges and solutions.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic, relapsing-remitting inflammatory disease that can be challenging to treat. Patients with mild disease are usually managed well with good skin care practices including moisturization and appropriate bathing along with intermittent use of topical therapies such as topical corticosteroids and/or topical calcineurin inhibitors during flares. Patients with frequent flares may benefit from proactive application of topical therapies twice a week to the most troublesome areas. Patients with severe disease often present significant treatment challenges. Systemic therapies are usually required for severe AD but have varying degrees of success and can be associated with side-effect profiles that require counseling and close monitoring. Phototherapy has been shown to have success in treating moderate-to-severe AD, but several factors can limit its utility and efficacy including cost and access. New therapies are in development targeting specific pathways relevant for AD. Dupilumab was the first biologic treatment approved in North America, Europe, and Japan for adults with moderate-to-severe AD. Although this treatment can lead to rapid improvement in the majority of patients, there are inadequate responders. In this review, we discuss the clinical challenges and treatment options for moderate-to-severe refractory AD.

Introduction

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a pruritic, inflammatory skin disorder that frequently presents in childhood but is also common in adults.1 The pathogenesis of AD is due to a multitude of factors including skin barrier defects, dysregulation of innate immune responses, defects in adaptive immune response with development of strong type 2 immunity, and altered skin microbiome.2,3 Two of the major risk factors that predispose a person to developing AD include a positive family history of atopy and loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene.4 In most cases, AD is successfully managed through elimination of exacerbating factors, good skin care practices, and topical therapies as defined by the most recent AD treatment guidelines such as those set forth by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology in April 2018.5 Patients with moderate-to-severe disease who fail to improve with this first-line, conventional therapy may benefit from second-line therapies such as phototherapy and systemic medications, including dupilumab. Even after employing these systemic treatments, there is a subset of patients who continue to suffer from extensive skin lesions and intense pruritus resulting in both physical and emotional disability. In cases of treatment resistance, factors such as poor compliance or incorrect medication use, lack of access to appropriate medications, hypersensitivity reactions to topical treatments, skin infections, and other exacerbating environmental triggers need to be considered. If these factors can be ruled out, one or several skin biopsies may be needed to rule out the possibility of other diagnoses such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). In this article, we review the current treatment guidelines and the systemic therapies that are in late-stage clinical development (Phase III) that may help AD patients whose disease is recalcitrant to the currently employed systemic therapies.

Clinical presentation and diagnosis

The onset of AD classically occurs during early childhood. In infants, AD typically presents with red, scaly, pruritic lesions involving the face, scalp, trunk, and extensor surfaces of the extremities. Although AD can have a more generalized distribution, it typically involves the flexural aspects of the extremities in later childhood and adulthood.6 AD can be categorized as acute (erythema, vesicles, bullae, weeping, crusting), subacute (scaly plaques, papules, erosions, and crusts), and chronic (lichenification, scaling, and hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation) based on appearance.7 Diagnosis of AD is largely based on clinical history and physical exam features.8 Core features that must be present to establish a diagnosis of AD include the following: 1) pruritis; 2) acute, subacute, or chronic eczema; 3) representative morphology to include agespecific patterns and distribution; and 4) chronic or relapsing time course.8 Features that help to support a diagnosis of AD include the following: 1) early age of onset, although adult onset is possible; 2) xerosis; and 3) personal or family history of atopy. Areas that are typically spared in AD include the axillary, gluteal, and perineal regions. If these areas are involved, other diagnoses such as allergic or irritant contact dermatitis, psoriasis, scabies, tinea, and erythroderma due to other causes should be considered.8 In cases where a diagnosis is in doubt, skin biopsy or a more detailed history may be necessary to rule out other AD-like conditions that have distinctive histology such as nummular dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, Id reaction, lichen simplex chronicus, prurigo nodularis, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and dyshidrosis.

Treatments

Careful environmental history and education are part of the management of all AD patients including education on the pathophysiology of AD, identification of patient-specific allergens, and avoidance of or reduced exposure to relevant allergens (where possible) as this often improves AD.5 In this review, we outline a therapeutic ladder to consider based on disease severity (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Therapeutic ladder for the treatment of AD.

Abbreviations: AD, atopic dermatitis; AZA, azathioprine; MMF, mycophenolate mofetil; MTX, methotrexate; TCS, topical corticosteroids.

Basic non-pharmacologic treatment

There are several known deficiencies in the skin barrier of patients with AD. These include filaggrin deficiency, decreased intercellular lipids, altered ratios of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol, as well as reduced expression of tight junction proteins which individually or collectively are likely contributing to the increased transepidermal water loss characteristically observed in this disease.9 Research suggests that barrier disruption enables the penetration of allergens, irritants, and potentially pathogenic microbes into the skin, resulting in inflammation.10,11 Because of this, patients with AD must be selective about the products they use on their skin, as they are at a greater risk for adverse reactions to known irritants and allergens.

In general, patients should be advised to choose skin care and laundry products (eg, cleansers, moisturizers, shampoo/conditioner, makeup, and laundry detergents) that are “fragrance free” and hypoallergenic.5 It is important to note that even “scent-free” products may be made with fragrances and thus may still be allergenic or irritating. Patients should also avoid certain fabrics, such as wool and wool mixes, which may be bothersome because of the lanolin or simply by virtue of the texture which causes skin friction and may, therefore, worsen the itch–scratch cycle.5 When bathing, patients should use warm (not hot) water and make sure to apply moisturizers immediately within 5 minutes to prevent the skin from drying out.5

It is recommended that patients bathe for short durations of 5–10 minutes in warm water up to once daily with non-soap, hypoallergenic, and nonirritant cleansers or solutions to remove any allergens or irritants and to hydrate the skin.5 While most patients with AD typically choose to shower, there is some evidence that soaking in a bathtub with dilute sodium hypochlorite (“bleach baths”) may be beneficial in reducing disease severity; however, studies are conflicting and bleach baths may not be any more effective than regular water baths.12–14 It is not known whether this bleach water should be rinsed off afterwards. As noted earlier, all bathing should be immediately followed by moisturizing.

The application of moisturizers is an integral part of managing AD as their consistent use reduces disease severity and likely lessens the need for pharmacologic interventions.15 Moisturizers should contain emollients as well as occlusive and/or humectant agents to optimize skin hydration and be free of fragrances and additives.16,17 Moisturizers should be applied liberally and frequently to help mitigate xerosis. The most effective moisturizers are often ointments; however, some patients may find ointments too greasy for their day-to-day activities as they do not rub in and can stain clothing and bed linens.18,19 The next most effective vehicle is a thick or “emollient” cream that ideally is available in a large size so it has sufficient quantities to use as suggested (454 g per 1 pound in the US).19 Creams may be better tolerated than ointments which may lead to better compliance. The pros/cons to these two vehicles should be discussed with the patient. Of note, some patients with many fissures or erosions may find that many topicals “sting” or “burn” due to the addition of preservatives such as propylene glycol, sorbitan sesquioleate, parabens, lanolin, fragrance, methylisothiazolinone, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.20 Changing the vehicle to an ointment may reduce these symptoms as they often do not contain preservatives or other potential irritating ingredients.18

Flare-directed (reactive) treatment

Due to the relapsing and remitting course of AD, many patients have achieved success in treating their disease more intensively during flares and scaling back treatment when their disease is better controlled. The optimal treatment modality for reactive treatment depends on the severity of disease, the location of the AD, and patient and physician preference. Additionally, it is important to consider whether AD flares are associated with secondary skin infections, which may require additional treatment.

Topical therapy

Topical corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids (TCSs) are the first-line treatment for an acute flare of AD as they provide more rapid effects that lead to decreased inflammation and pruritus.18,19 The potency and vehicle of the TCSs should be tailored based on the age of the patient, disease severity, lesion location, patient preference, and cost.18

Low-potency TCSs are best for mild disease and for sensitive areas such as the face, groin, or axilla.19 Mid-potency TCSs are appropriate for most other body surfaces.21 High-potency TCSs are best reserved for thick/lichenified skin such as the palms/soles of the feet and ankles, and for significant flares.21 Although high-potency TCSs are more effective, they have a higher risk of local and rarely even systemic adverse effects (AEs).

Wet wrap therapy with an ointment moisturizer or a medium-potency TCS (ointment) can be considered during a flare.24,25

Topical calcineurin inhibitors

Topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), including tacrolimus 0.1% ointment, tacrolimus 0.03% ointment, and pimecro-limus 1% cream, are considered second-line agents for the management of AD flares.18,22 TCIs are products of the bacteria, Streptomyces, which inhibit calcineurin-dependent T-cell activation by binding to FKBP-12, which inhibits calcineurin leading to a blockade in the signal transduction in the T-lymphocyte pathway and ultimately blocking the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.18,23 There is conflicting evidence on the interaction between TCIs and the skin barrier in AD patients. Some studies suggest that TCIs decrease synthesis of epidermal lipids and antimicrobial peptides leading to increased permeability of the skin barrier and decreased antimicrobial function, while others suggest that TCIs can improve clinical and biophysical properties of the barrier function.24,25 TCIs are steroid sparing, which is an important consideration for patients who may need long-term treatment with TCSs and are therefore at a greater risk for the aforementioned side effects. TCIs decrease inflammation, with an effectiveness similar to that of a mid-potency TCS.26,27 TCIs can be an appropriate choice for patients with AD on the eyelids, face, groin, or armpits. While only tacrolimus 0.03% ointment is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for children aged 2–15 years with moderate-to-severe AD, both tacrolimus 0.03% and the stronger 0.1% ointment are approved for patients older than 15 years with moderate-to-severe AD.18 Pimecrolimus 1% cream is approved for patients with mild-to-moderate AD aged 2 years and up.18

Of note, TCIs come with an FDA Black Box Warning based on the theoretical risk of malignancy from systemic calcineurin inhibitors in animal studies and transplant patients. However, clinical trials, post-marketing surveillance, and pharmacokinetic and toxicology studies have found that the overall rate of malignancy in patients treated with TCIs is no more than the general population.28 The most common side effect reported from TCIs is skin “burning” or “stinging” which may lead some patients to prematurely discontinue the use of TCIs. However, this sensation typically resolves within a week of use. Additionally, pre-cooling the TCI tube may reduce the burning sensation.29

Topical PDE4 inhibitors

In December 2016, the first topical PDE4 inhibitor, crisaborole 2% ointment, was approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD in patients aged 2 years and up.30,31 PDE4 inhibitors suppress the production of cytokines and ROS, which have been shown to play a role in perpetuating the skin barrier defect and inflammation associated with AD.32 This drug has been shown to be safe and effective in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for up to 1 year of treatment. The most common treatment-related AE experienced was skin burning.30,33

Proactive (maintenance) therapy

In cases of moderate or recurrent AD, proactive treatment is usually recommended as it has been shown to reduce the risk of relapse.34 Proactive therapy is defined as the use of a topical anti-inflammatory agent usually twice a week for 2 consecutive days (weekend therapy) to previously affected areas of skin in combination with the daily, liberal use of moisturizers over entire body for an undefined but long-term period of time.35 Classically, medium-potency TCSs or TCIs are recommended as the topical anti-inflammatory agents of choice.19 Proactive therapy can decrease the frequency of AD flares while minimizing potential side effects typically associated with medium- or high-potency TCSs.

Systemic therapy

In cases of severe AD with inadequate control despite optimized topical treatment, systemic therapy may be considered. The only two FDA-approved systemic treatments in the US at the time of submission are dupilumab and systemic steroids. Cyclosporine (CsA) is approved in some European countries and Japan.36

Dupilumab

Dupilumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody against the shared alpha subunit of IL-4 and IL-13 receptors, which blocks the actions of these two canonical T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines that are commonly found in the skin of AD patients.37 Dupilumab was FDA approved in March 2017 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD in adults and is now considered a first-line systemic treatment. Two large (n=671 and n=708), long-term (16 weeks), randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (RDBPCTs) with subcutaneous dupilumab showed a rapid and significant improvement in disease severity (Eczema Area and Severity Index, EASI) and extent of involvement (body surface area, BSA).38 The addition of TCSs to dupilumab treatment resulted in even greater improvement of AD signs and symptoms compared to dupilumab alone.39 The most common side effects associated with dupilumab include a range of ocular complaints commonly reported as dry eye, noninfectious conjunctivitis, and blepharitis. Dupilumab does not require lab monitoring or screening for tuberculosis or hepatitis B/C. Additionally, there appears to be no increased infection risk in those treated with dupilumab.39

Recommendation

Dupilumab is recommended as a first-line treatment choice for moderate-to-severe AD given the efficacy and safety demonstrated in two large, long-term RCTs. TCS, TCI, and crisaborole can be used in conjunction with dupilumab to address an AD flare.

Systemic glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, while being both FDA approved and nearly universally effective, should be used rarely and only as a bridge to a more sustainable treatment plan. There are no high-quality RCTs evaluating the safety and efficacy of systemic glucocorticoids in AD. A systematic review on the safety and efficacy of systemic corticosteroids in AD recommended that their use should be limited to short courses when other options are unavailable, for the immediate relief of acute flares, as a transition to a steroid-sparing treatment, or in the most severe, treatment-refractory cases.40,41 The most recent guidelines set forth by the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis suggest an initial dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day for 1–2 weeks which should be tapered over 1 month to decrease the risk of rebound.5 The taper should overlap with a steroid-sparing agent. Special consideration should be made with pediatric patients due to potential concern of delayed or reduced bone growth.42

Recommendation

Systemic glucocorticoids should be used very rarely and only for a short duration with slow taper off due to the serious side effects with long-term treatment even with low-dose corticosteroids (≤15 mg/day prednisone-equivalent) or recurrent courses because of the high risk of serious side effects including fractures, gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhages, cataracts, obesity, growth delay/reduction, and infections.43

Cyclosporine

CsA is approved for the treatment of adults (ie, ≥16 years) with AD in at least 15 European countries, Australia, and Japan. CsA is an oral calcineurin inhibitor, which suppresses the activation of the T-cell transcription factor, NF-AT, and thereby prevents the transcription of a number of cytokines including IL-2, thus diminishing inflammation.42,44 A 2013 systematic review found that CsA successfully improved AD with a mean improvement of 50%–95% as assessed by various clinical severity scores after 10 days to 8 weeks of treatment.45 The head-to-head trials included in this review showed that CsA was more effective than intravenous immu-noglobulin, prednisolone, and phototherapy.45 The most recent American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) guidelines recommend an initial dose of 3–6 mg/kg/day, citing that higher initial doses lead to quicker control of the disease and improvement in quality-of-life measures.42 A dose of 5 mg/kg/day is usually considered maximum in dermatology. CsA has been viewed as a short-term or temporizing treatment for uncontrolled AD and should be used to transition (albeit more slowly than systemic glucocorticoids) to a safer, longer-term treatment. There is general consensus that continuous treatment with CsA beyond 1–2 years is not recommended primarily because of the risk of irreversible renal disease.42 Most common side effects of CsA include hypertension and nephrotoxicity which are both dose and duration dependent.45 Other side effects include hypertrichosis, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, gingival hyperplasia, and low serum magnesium.45

CsA can be recommended as an effective second-line or shorter-term treatment for moderate-to-severe AD based on several high-quality RCTs.45 Larger long-term studies are needed to fully clarify best practices to monitor for nephrotoxicity in the AD population before being recommended for greater than 1–2 years of treatment.

Phototherapy

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been shown to be an effective treatment modality in moderate-to-severe AD due to its proposed ability to decrease Staphylococcus aureus colonization, improve skin barrier function, reduce pruritis, and decrease tissue inflammation associated with AD.46,47 Four hundred and twenty-eight studies and 19 RCTs that enrolled over 900 subjects found medium-dose UVA1 phototherapy and narrowband (NB)-UVB phototherapy to be the safest and most effective phototherapies for moderate-to-severe AD subjects, with similar efficacy.48–51 NB-UVB has also been shown to be safe and effective in children as young as 3 years old; however, it is generally recommended for older children.48 Phototherapy is usually well tolerated by patients. Potential side effects include xerosis, pruritus, erythema, and burning of the skin.43,49 The potential for photocarcinogenesis with both UVA1 and NB-UVB phototherapy has not been determined.46,46 NB-UVB is the most commonly employed phototherapy approach in the US to treat AD.

Phototherapy, especially NB-UVB and medium-dose UVA1, is recommended as a second-line treatment modality for both short- and long-term management of moderate-to-severe AD in children and adults given its safety and efficacy profile from numerous high-quality RCTs. Phototherapy can be used in conjunction with emollients and TCSs to reduce flare ups. Phototherapy is not typically recommended for infants or young children until they can dependably stand still in the unit and wear appropriate eye protection.

Methotrexate

Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapeutic agent that blocks the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and purines, by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase which, in turn, inhibits lymphocyte functions.42 In a small (n=42), 12-week RCT, MTX (10–22.5 mg/week) was found to have similar efficacy to azathioprine (AZA) (1.5–2.5 mg/kg/day) as found using the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) severity score with reductions of ~40% in both treatment groups of adults with severe AD.52 The frequency of AEs was similar in both treatment arms, and most of the AEs were classified as mild. In another small (n=40), 12-week RCT, low-dose MTX (7.5 mg/week) was compared with low-dose CsA (2.5 mg/kg/day) in children aged 8–14 years with severe AD.53 After 12 weeks, both groups showed similar reductions in SCORAD score, with a 49% reduction in the MTX group compared to 45% in the CsA group.53 In this study, CsA showed a rapid onset of action (2–3 weeks) compared to a slightly slower onset with MTX (3–5 weeks), but upon discontinuation, MTX was associated with a longer time to relapse (20 weeks) compared to CsA (14 weeks).53 The most recent AAD guidelines recommend starting doses of MTX between 7.5 and 25 mg weekly in conjunction with 1 mg folic acid daily to help mitigate MTX toxicities.42 When clearance or near-clearance is achieved and maintained, MTX should be tapered or discontinued, using emollients and topical agents to maintain the remission. If there is no response after 12–16 weeks, an alternative therapy should be considered.42 The most common side effects are nausea, other GI symptoms, and stomatitis. The most serious side effects are bone marrow suppression, pulmonary fibrosis, and hepatotoxicity.42 The risk of these potentially serious side effects is thought to be lower in the AD population compared to those with psoriasis, possibly due to lower rates of obesity, alcoholism, metabolic syndrome, and polypharmacy.42

MTX is recommended as a third-line option for the long-term treatment of children (≥8 years) and adults with moderate-to-severe AD based on two small, long-term RCTs. This treatment may be especially useful in patients who are not candidates for CsA.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)

MMF and mycophenolate sodium inhibit purine synthesis in B and T lymphocytes by directly inhibiting inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase.54 The overall efficacy of MMF is dependent on a UGT1A9 polymorphism that ultimately affects the metabolism of MMF.55 In a 2017 study assessing UGT1A9 enzyme activity and MMF bioavailability, 85% of subjects who carried the UGT1A9 polymorphism were MMF nonresponders, presumably due to a suboptimal exposure to MMF.55 Studies assessing the efficacy of MMF in AD are extremely limited. One small (n=55), 36-week RCT compared enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) with CsA in adult AD patients who failed treatment with potent TCSs.56 Patients were initially treated with CsA 5 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks and then randomized to CsA 3 mg/kg/day or EC-MPS 1,440 mg/day for 30 weeks. After the first 10 weeks, the reduction in SCORAD score was greater in the CsA treatment group; however, by the end of the maintenance phase, disease activity was similar in both groups.56 Once treatment was discontinued, relapse occurred faster in the CsA group compared to the EC-MPS group.56 AEs were mild and transient within both groups. Two small (n=14, n=12) retrospective case series have been conducted on the use of MMF as a monotherapy in children (age 2–17 years), and the results showed a significant improvement in disease severity.57,58 Recommended starting doses for MMF are 1,000–1,500 mg twice a day for adults and 20–50 mg/kg/day in children.59

MMF or EC-MPS may be promising third-line agents in patients with moderate-to-severe AD who fail or are not candidates for the other off-label immunosuppressants. Larger, long-term RCTs are needed to make any further recommendations on dosing, monitoring, and long-term therapy for moderate-to-severe AD. Screening for UGT1A9 polymorphisms prior to the initiation of treatment could be considered to identify potential nonresponders to MMF.

Azathioprine

AZA works by inhibiting purine synthesis and therefore inhibits RNA and DNA production especially in highly proliferative cells such as white blood cells commonly found in many inflammatory diseases.42 It is FDA approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and prophylaxis against renal transplant rejection but is used off-label in refractory AD. The efficacy of AZA in the treatment of AD has been evaluated in several studies. Two adult RCTs have shown AZA to be more effective than placebo over 12 weeks.60,61 The Six Area Six Sign Atopic Dermatitis (SASSAD) score fell by 37% vs 20% in adults with moderate-to-severe AD treated with either 1 or 2.5 mg/kg/day based on thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) activity over placebo.61 Knowing a patient’s TMPT level prior to treatment is important as low or absent enzyme activity increases the risk of AZA toxicity such as myelosuppression.45 In a small, crossover trial testing 2.5 mg/kg/day in patients with severe AD, the treatment reduced SASSAD score by 26% compared to 3% in the placebo group.60 AZA at doses of 1.5–2.5 mg/kg/day and MTX at doses of 10–22.5 mg/week were found to be equally efficacious over a 12-week regimen in a comparative study with similar reductions in SCORAD score.52 The most recent dosing guidelines established by the AAD recommend a dose range between 1 and 3 mg/kg/day.42 A delayed therapeutic effect may be noted with AZA requiring upwards of 12 weeks of medication to achieve full clinical benefit. Once clearance of AD has been obtained, AZA should be tapered to discontinuation with the use of TCSs, TCIs, and emollients for maintenance. Most common side effects of AZA include nausea and vomiting.42,52,53 Long-term use has been associated with lymphopenia, progressive anemia, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and transient elevation of liver enzymes.42,45 Additionally, there is evidence that AZA treatment is associated with a dose- and duration-dependent increased risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma.62–65

AZA is recommended as a third-line treatment for moderate-to-severe AD given its modest level of effectiveness as seen in a few small studies. AZA is usually reserved for patients who are not candidates for other third-line agents given its safety profile.

Treatment failure

If patients fail to respond to any of the aforementioned available treatments for AD, factors such as poor compliance and incorrect use of the prescribed therapy need to be explored. Given the magnitude of misinformation available to patients and/or their caregivers about AD therapies, it is imperative that physicians provide clear and easy-to-understand instructions so that patients understand and are comfortable with the prescribed treatment regimen. Additionally, a strong emphasis needs to be placed on the chronic relapsing and remitting nature of this disease and appropriate care must continue despite improvement in disease severity with the prescribed treatment regimen. If poor compliance and incorrect medication use are determined not to be contributing to treatment failure, other factors that need to be explored include hypersensitivity reactions to topical treatments, skin infections, and other exacerbating environmental triggers. If these factors can be ruled out, it is then necessary to rule out AD mimickers including but not limited to allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scabies, and tinea. Additionally, serial biopsies may be warranted to rule out CTCL.

Emerging therapies currently in Phase III clinical trials

Tofacitinib

Tofacitinib is a JAK inhibitor, currently FDA approved for the treatment of RA as an oral agent. Tofacitinib reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by interfering with the signaling of multiple cytokines relevant for allergic diseases including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-31, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin.66 A topical formulation of tofacitinib 2% ointment for the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD was evaluated in a small (n=69) 4-week Phase IIa RCT, which showed a significant change from baseline in the EASI score in patients treated with tofacitinib (–81.7% change) compared to placebo (−29.9% change).67 Additionally, 73% of subjects treated with tofacitinib had an Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score indicating clearance or near-clearance at the end of the 4-week study compared to 22% of the subjects treated with placebo.67 The overall incidence of AEs was lower in the treatment group vs the placebo group, and AEs were classified as mild.67 Long-term and comparative trials with other topical treatments are recommended to further assess long-term safety and efficacy.

Upadacitinib

Upadacitinib is an oral JAK1 inhibitor that is being investigated for use in moderate-to-severe AD.68 In a small (n=166), Phase II RCT, adult patients were randomized to placebo, or 7.5, 15, or 30 mg upadacitinib administered once daily for 16 weeks. All doses produced a statistically significant improvement in EASI and IGA scores compared to placebo.68 Significant reductions in itch were seen as early as 1 week with reductions in disease severity revealed by EASI and IGA scores by 2 weeks for all doses.68 The 30 mg dose led to a 74% mean reduction in EASI score at 16 weeks compared to 23% reduction in the placebo group (P<0.001). The most common AEs were upper respiratory tract infections and acne.68 Long-term RCTs are necessary to further explore the safety profile of upadacitinib.

PF-04965842

PF-04965842 is an oral JAK1 inhibitor that is being investigated for use in moderate-to-severe AD.69 In a Phase II (n=269) RCT, adult patients were randomized to placebo, or 10, 30, 100, or 200 mg PF-04965842 once daily for 12 weeks.70 A statistically significant improvement in IGA score was seen with the 200 mg dose compared to placebo, and statistically significant improvements in the EASI score were observed in the 100 and 200 mg dosing groups compared to placebo group.70 The most common AEs were headache, nausea, diarrhea, and upper respiratory tract infections across all dosing groups and placebo group.70 Larger, long-term RCTs are needed to further explore the efficacy and safety of PF-04965842.

Baricitinib

Baricitinib is an oral JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor currently approved for RA in Europe and Japan.71 In a small (n=124) Phase II RDBPCT, patients were randomized to once-daily placebo, or 2 or 4 mg baricitinib for 16 weeks after a 4-week run-in of daily TCS use. More patients receiving 4 mg of baricitinib achieved a 50% reduction in their EASI score compared to those receiving placebo (61% vs 37%) at week 16, and baricitinib also significantly improved pruritus and sleep loss.71 AEs were dose dependent, and the most common ones in the baricitinib 4 mg group included headache, increased creatinine phosphokinase, and nasopharyngitis.71 Larger, long-term trials to assess the safety and efficacy of baricitinib as a monotherapy are needed.72

Tradipitant

Tradipitant is an NK-1R antagonist that is being developed to reduce itch in patients with AD.69 NK-1R and SP are postulated to regulate both neurogenic inflammation and pain perception.69 NK-1R and SP are also expressed by endothelial and immune cells, and high levels of SP are strongly associated with pruritus in chronic inflammatory dermatoses.73,74 In a Phase II proof-of-concept study, 69 adult patients with treatment-resistant pruritus associated with AD were randomized to receive either 100 mg of tradipitant once daily or placebo for 4 weeks. Tradipitant-treated patients had a significant improvement in the VAS score compared to baseline; however, there was not a statistically significant difference between the tradipitant and placebo groups in the VAS, SCORAD, or EASI score. Larger, long-term RCTs with different dosing regimens are needed to truly determine whether this drug is an effective treatment for AD-associated pruritus.

Nemolizumab

Nemolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeted against IL-31 receptor. IL-31 is a cytokine associated with pruritis and chronic skin inflammation.76 A 12-week, Phase II RCT evaluated the efficacy of nemolizumab in the treatment of adult subjects with moderate-to-severe AD. This medium-sized (n=264) RCT demonstrated that nemolizumab at three different doses (0.1, 0.5, and 2 mg/kg) was superior to placebo at reducing pruritis. Additionally, modest improvements in EASI scores and BSA affected were also observed but only at the two highest doses (0.5 and 2 mg/kg) compared to placebo.77 The overall incidence of AEs was similar to that observed in the placebo group, and AEs were classified as mild with the most frequent AEs being AD exacerbation and respiratory tract infections.77 Long-term and comparative trials with other treatments are recommended to better assess long-term safety and efficacy.

Lebrikizumab

Lebrikizumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against IL-13, a Th2 cytokine that has been shown to play a key role in barrier dysfunction, defects in innate immunity, allergen sensitization, and inflammation associated with AD.78 In a 12-week, medium-sized (n=209), Phase II RCT in adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD, 82.4% of patients treated with 125 or 250 mg doses of lebrikizumab (every 4 weeks) in conjunction with a TCS achieved the primary end point of a 50% reduction in the EASI score compared to 62.3% in the placebo group (P=0.026).79 AEs were similar between treatment and placebo groups and were mostly mild to moderate.79 While this trial shows promising results for lebrikizumab as a concomitant therapy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD, trials assessing its efficacy as a monotherapy are needed as well as long-term and comparative trials with other systemic therapies.

Tralokinumab

Tralokinumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits IL-13, a Th2 cytokine strongly linked to AD pathogenesis.80 A 12-week, medium-sized (n=204), Phase IIb RCT of adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD evaluated several doses of tralokinumab (45, 150, or 300 mg) given every 2 weeks for 12 weeks vs placebo. More patients receiving the 300 mg dose reached an IGA score of 0 or 1 (26.7%) compared to the placebo group (11.8%).81 AEs were similar between treatment and placebo groups with the most common AEs being upper respiratory infections.81 Larger, long-term trials are recommended to more completely assess long-term safety and efficacy. Studies assessing the efficacy of tralokinumab as a monotherapy are ongoing.

Fezakinumab

Fezakinumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets IL-22, which is thought to have a unique role in some of the epithelial abnormalities associated with AD.82 In a small (n=60) Phase II RCT, adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD were treated with intravenous fezakinumab or placebo every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. Reductions in SCORAD score were observed in all treatment arms, but the decline was only significantly different in patients with severe AD.82 AEs were similar between treatment and placebo group and were classified as mild with the most common AE being upper respiratory infections.82 Future studies evaluating the benefits of fezakinumab may demonstrate greater efficacy if enrollment targeted AD patients with high tissue expression of IL-22.83–85

Ustekinumab

Ustekinumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the shared p40 protein subunit of human IL-12 and IL-23, thereby preventing interaction with their shared receptor.86 It is currently approved for Crohn’s disease, plaque psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis. In a systematic review of ustekinumab in the treatment of AD including eight cases and two RCTs (n=107), a total of 58% of patients showed improvement in their AD.86 While ustekinumab was well tolerated, it is likely that it may only be effective for a subset of AD patients such as those with early-onset AD and possibly AD subjects of Asian descent.87,88

Conclusion

The foundation of AD treatment is gentle skin care and frequent moisturization use. A graded, reactive approach with low- to mid-potency TCS, TCI, or crisaborole should be added for flares of mild AD. For patients with moderate AD, the use of mid- to high-potency TCS is typically warranted until treatment can be de-escalated. For those with frequent relapses, proactive mid- to high-potency TCS or TCI should be used on the previously affected areas. If these treatment options do not result in sufficient improvement, systemic therapies are the next step in the therapeutic ladder. Dupilumab is the current first-line systemic agent for adults with moderate-to-severe, treatment-resistant eczema. If treatment with dupilumab is not successful, second-line treatments should be considered including CsA or phototherapy (NB-UVB or UVA1). Short-term systemic glucocorticoids should only be used as a bridge to a more sustainable treatment or for the most severe, refractory cases. Third-line treatment options include MTX, MMF, and AZA. For patients who fail to respond to any of the currently approved treatments for AD, factors such as poor compliance or incorrect medication use, hypersensitivity reactions to topical treatments, skin infections, and other exacerbating environmental triggers need to be considered. If these factors can be excluded, one or several skin biopsies may be warranted to rule out AD mimickers such as CTCL. There are several new therapies currently in Phase III clinical trials with strong evidence of efficacy for mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe AD. If FDA approval is granted, these additional therapies will provide additional options for treatment-resistant disease and may enable a more individualized approach to refractory AD.

An accurate diagnosis is imperative to establish an effective treatment regimen.

Good skin care with the use of moisturizers and gentle skin cleansers, and avoidance of triggers is a necessary first step, regardless of disease severity.

A systematic approach with topical anti-inflammatory therapies should be used in mild-to-severe AD and during flares of all degrees of severity.

Dupilumab and phototherapy are the next steps if good skin care and topical anti-inflammatory agents are not sufficient.

For patients who do not have access to dupilumab or phototherapy, are incomplete responders or nonresponders, or have significant side effects, systemic therapy with cyclosporine, mycophenolate, azathioprine, or methotrexate is recommended. Combination therapy such as dupilumab plus another systemic immunomodulatory agent and/or phototherapy has not been adequately studied.

For the subset of patients who fail to respond to several systemic treatments, it is necessary to rule out AD mimickers including but not limited to allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, scabies, and tinea. Additionally, serial biopsies may be warranted to rule out cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.