lebrikizumab combined with topical corticosteroid reduces atopic dermatitis severity

A combination of the monoclonal antibody inhibiting interleukin-13, lebrikizumab, and background topical corticosteroid (TCS) therapy reduces overall disease severity of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adolescents and adults, according to a study.

In the randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 3 ADhere trial, adolescent (aged ≥12 to <18 years) and adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD were randomized 2:1 to receive subcutaneous lebrikizumab or placebo, in combination with TCS for 16 weeks.

At week 16, 41.2% of patients in the treatment group and 22.1% of patients in the placebo group achieved an Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 0 or 1 and 69.5% and 42.2%, respectively, achieved an Eczema Area and Severity Index -75.

Statistically significant improvements in secondary endpoints, including evaluation of itch, itch interference on sleep, and quality of life, were also reported in the treatment group.

Most treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild or moderate in severity and did not lead to study discontinuation. In the treatment group TEAEs include, conjunctivitis in 4.8%, headache in 4.8%, hypertension in 2.8%, injection site reactions in 2.8%, and herpes infection in 3.4%.

Patient-reported serious AEs following treatment were similar between both groups.

Reference
Simpson EL, Gooderham M, Wollenberg A, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Lebrikizumab in Combination With Topical Corticosteroids in Adolescents and Adults With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial (ADhere). JAMA Dermatol. Published online January 11, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.5534