Breakthroughs on the Horizon:
A Quarterly Update from Clinical Trials
Articles > Clinical Trials > Breakthroughs on the Horizon: Latest Developments in Eczema Research Q2 2024
Welcome to our April through June edition on eczema research. Learn what’s happening to help people with eczema receive more effective and convenient treatment options.
Researchers are truly beginning to understand eczema on a deeper level. In this report you will find that low vitamin D was linked to higher eczema risks in children, household use of e-cigarettes (vaping) was as well, and so to was an increased intake of sodium linked to more eczema flareups.
Beyond that, bacterial therapy has been a hot topic this quarter. Studies for bacteria have been around for a while but are recently affirmed by new research. This could represent a complete shift in how we treat eczema.
Several clinical drugs are in the pipeline showing superior efficacy, convenience, and safety to the current market options. Rinvoq was put head to head against the current market standard and crushed it in trials, again; showing that drug development is moving towards more powerful and safer treatments.
Read on to learn more about the newest treatments in eczema for 2024.
New Drug Developments
Drug Name: Upadacitinib
Manufacturing Company: Abbvie
Market Name: Rinvoq
Clinical Trials: Measure Up 1, Measure Up 2, AD Up, and Heads Up
Mechanism of Action: JAK Inhibitor
In the newest clinical research of Rinvoq (also known as Upadacitinib), the JAK inhibitor was tested against Dupixent (also known as dupilumab) for the second time. For the second time, it was found to be more effective at treating atopic dermatitis.
Early data saw Rinvoq patients achieving 90% reduction of symptoms 20% of the time, whereas Dupixent only saw this response 9% of the time. As the trial went on 41% of patients on Rinvoq reached 90% reduction and Dupixent was only able to bring 22.5% of patients this far. Rinvoq also doubled the effect of Dupixent on itch ratings as well, showing that it is clearly the more effective of the two drugs.
This may make Rinvoq the most efficacious therapy for eczema that exists right now. Keep in mind clinical research is moving incredibly fast right now, and there are more considerations for the prescription of medication than just efficacy – but, it is nice to see.
Drug Name: Eblasakimab
Manufacturing Company: ASLAN Pharmaceuticals
Market Name: Not Announced Yet
Clinical Trials: Phase I & II
Mechanism of Action: Interleukin (IL)-13 receptor α1 antagonist
Eblasakimab entered human testing in 2018, with it’s first Phase I trial. The safety profile was favourable, despite some mild side effects. Phase I trials focus on safety and pharmacokinetics, but there were positive signals for the effectiveness of the drug.
Now, ASLAN has completed a Phase II trial and the data says 73.3% of those who took Eblasakimab had a symptom reduction of 75%. While one trial does not complete a whole picture, these are significant findings that would place the effectiveness of eblasakimab near the very top of efficacy results.
Stay tuned to see what happens, more research is needed yet to approve the drug for use.
Drug Name: Taparinof
Manufacturing Company: Dermavant
Market Name: Vtama
Clinical Trials: ADORING I, and ADORING II
Mechanism of Action: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist.
Tapinarof could fill a need for safe effective topical therapy that can be used in younger populations for long periods of time.
The FDA is currently considering the approval of Tapinarof cream for treating adult and pediatric eczema.
In trials the cream preformed well with 55-60% of participants reaching 75% skin clearance, and 46% of participants achieving full skin clearance after just 8 weeks. 92% of all participants decided to enroll in an extension of the study suggesting that they found the cream to be helpful and side-effects to be a valuable trade off.
Drug Name: TDM-180935
Manufacturing Company: Technoderma
Market Name: Not Announced
Mechanism of Action: JAK1/TYK2 Inhibitor
Phase IIa trials have begun for a new topical JAK1/Tyk2 inhibitor known as TDM-180935.
Developed by the Chinese biopharmaceutical company Technoderma, the drug showed a favourable safety profile and promising effectiveness at modulating its target with superior selectivity features.
Drug Name: Nemolizumab
Manufacturing Company: Galderma
Market Name: Mitchga
Clinical Trials: OLYMPIA, ARCADIA
Mechanism of Action: Interleukin 31 Inhibitor
Galderma has received filing acceptances for nemolizumab to treat prurigo nodularis and moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in Australia, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.. This follows earlier acceptances from the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency in February 2024.
Nemolizumab, which inhibits IL-31 signaling to relieve itch, has shown promise in both conditions. Due to an unmet need for effective therapy for the severe itching, the drug was granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the U.S. FDA in 2019 for pruritus in prurigo nodularis and received Priority Review status in 2023.
The regulatory submissions are based on data from the phase III OLYMPIA and ARCADIA clinical trial programs, which showed that nemolizumab significantly improved symptoms like itch, skin lesions, and sleep disturbance. These results indicate the therapy’s potential for long-term relief in patients.
Drug Name: Orismilast
Manufacturing Company: Union Therapeutics
Market Name: Orismilast
Clinical Trials: ADESOS, OSIRIS
Mechanism of Action: Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor targeting PDE4B/D subtypes.
Galderma has received filing acceptances for nemolizumab to treat prurigo nodularis and moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in Australia, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.. This follows earlier acceptances from the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency in February 2024.
Nemolizumab, which inhibits IL-31 signaling to relieve itch, has shown promise in both conditions. Due to an unmet need for effective therapy for the severe itching, the drug was granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the U.S. FDA in 2019 for pruritus in prurigo nodularis and received Priority Review status in 2023.
The regulatory submissions are based on data from the phase III OLYMPIA and ARCADIA clinical trial programs, which showed that nemolizumab significantly improved symptoms like itch, skin lesions, and sleep disturbance. These results indicate the therapy’s potential for long-term relief in patients.
New Research Developments
Low Vitamin D Linked to higher eczema risk in children
Researchers at Chang Gung University, Taiwan, found that low vitamin D levels are linked to a higher risk of eczema in young children. The study, published in the World Allergy Organization Journal, highlights the important role of vitamin D in the immune system.
Kids with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml had more food and dust mite allergies, especially in the youngest group. Lower vitamin D levels were linked to more cases of eczema, with affected kids having much lower levels than healthy kids. Food allergies and having a mother with allergies were major risk factors for eczema in babies. For older kids, low vitamin D levels and dust mite allergies were significant risk factors.
Maintaining good vitamin D levels in early childhood may help reduce the risk of eczema. The study suggests that vitamin D deficiency might affect the immune system’s response to allergens, leading to eczema.
Atopic Dermatitis Clinical Trials Market Size to Increase USD 6.81 BN by 2033
Expect a healthy level of investment in eczema research and drug development over the next decade.
Increases in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis globally, as well as optimism for new techniques in research and medicine are driving the growth. The clinical trial market for eczema is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.14%.
Compared to other industries this suggests a healthy level of attention and investment.
Atopic Dermatitis Linked to Eating Disorders
A new study has found that atopic dermatitis is linked to double the chance to develop anorexia or bulimia, and a three times increase for binge-eating disorder. In a nod to the toll that AD has on one’s mental health and quality of life, the article notes that treating AD leads directly to improved well being and mental health.
Probiotical study links synbiotic with improvements in skin conditions
Researchers wanted to see if promoting a healthy gut flora had any impact on atopic dermatitis symptoms, and the study suggests that it does.
Using what’s called a synbiotic, a combination of probiotics (helpful gut bacteria) and prebiotics (non-digestible fibers that help the bacteria grow), the 12 week study showed significant clinical improvements in itch and nodule presence.
While the researchers admit there are limitations to the research, it is still interesting to see that there is a fair chance that a healthy gut flora could be a direct way of reducing symptom burden for eczema.
Tailored vaccines may hold the key to treating eczema in children.
New research from Trinity College Dublin suggests a tailored vaccine could be key in treating bacterial flares of eczema in children. In their study of 93 children, scientists discovered that certain immune cells, crucial for fighting infections, were suppressed in those with infected eczema.
By studying immune responses to the common Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, researchers identified specific targets for a vaccine.
This breakthrough could lead to longer-lasting relief, reduce the need for antibiotics, and minimize complications such as severe infections, hay fever, and asthma.
Good bacteria may be a future eczema treatment
Scientists are investigating how beneficial bacteria might help manage eczema symptoms by restoring the skin’s natural balance.
People with eczema have higher levels of harmful bacteria and lower levels of good bacteria on their skin.
Early studies found that applying Roseomonas mucosa (a good bacteria) improved eczema in 6 out of 10 adults and 4 out of 5 children.
Another study showed Staphylococcus hominis could reduce harmful Staphylococcus aureus, improving symptoms for two-thirds of the participants.
These bacterial therapies could reduce the need for antibiotics, which kill both good and bad bacteria.
Clinical trials are in early stages. While promising, these treatments may take years to become widely available.
Parent's vaping could increase risk of child-hood eczema
New research suggests that having a parent who vapes at home might increase the risk of eczema in children. In a study of data from over 35,000 U.S. households, kids with a vaping parent had 24% higher odds of developing eczema compared to those with non-vaping parents.
The study, led by Dr. Golara Honari from Stanford University, was published on May 22 in JAMA Dermatology. The researchers linked parental e-cigarette use to pediatric atopic dermatitis, suggesting that exposure to toxins in e-cigarette vapor might trigger changes in children’s skin.
While the study wasn’t designed to prove a cause-and-effect, it highlights the potential impact of secondhand vaping on children’s skin health. The researchers emphasized the need for further investigation given the rising prevalence of e-cigarette use and its possible effects on family members’ health.
Too much salt might be contributing to eczema flares
Researchers at UC San Francisco (UCSF) have discovered that a high sodium diet can increase the risk of eczema. The study, which analyzed data from over 215,000 individuals in the UK Biobank and 13,000 U.S. adults, found a strong link between sodium intake and eczema severity.
Consuming just one extra gram of sodium per day—about the amount in a Big Mac—boosts the likelihood of eczema flares by 22%. Reducing dietary sodium could be a simple yet effective way to manage this condition.
Antihypertensives linked to eczema in seniors
Researchers compared the prevalence of eczema in seniors who took antihypertensive drugs versus those who did not and found a statistically significant difference. Research is still very early on this topic but these findings may guide future clinical practice for the management of eczema in seniors.
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