Current Biologic Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Authors

Jiyon J. Kim, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Dermatology

Advisor

Dr. June Sullivan, DMSc, MPH. MSHS, PA-C

Abstract

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is chronic eczema affecting people and all ages worldwide. This common eczematous dermatitis features inflammation of the skin. AD symptoms may include pruritus, dryness, scaling, burning, oozing, edema, desquamation, erythema, bumps, discolorations, and fissures, which can result in an increased incidence of skin infections.

A discussion of the current biologic treatment duplimab provides a safer and superior treatment option for patients suffering from chronic moderate to severe AD. Treating chronic AD patients with Topical Cortico Steroids (TCS) is a standard and conventional treatment. However, if patients have inadequate symptomatic relief from TCS therapy, Cyclosporin A (CsA) or 5-Methoxypsoralen plus ultraviolet photochemotherapy (PUVA) was often used as a systemic treatment despite its numerous potential side effects.

For those AD patients, in March of 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved dupilumab (Dupixent), the first injectable biologic drug approved for moderate-to-severe chronic AD. These studies demonstrated that dupilumab is a better and safer treatment alternative for AD patients as dupilumab showed tremendously improved efficacy, and the side effects were significantly decreased compared to traditional CsA and PUVA. Duplimab can substantially improve AD symptoms and associated comorbidities, including pruritus, asthma, allergies, hay fever, and sleep disturbances. In addition, dupilumab can improve the patient's physical and emotional life, thus enhancing the overall quality of life (QoL).

Recommended Citation

Kim JJ. Current Biologic Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2023; 5(1).