Atopic dermatitis (AD), a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting a substantial percentage of the global population, continues to pose significant challenges to both children and adults. Characterized by persistent itching and eczema lesions, AD not only impacts physical health but also significantly affects the quality of life for those affected. A recent study, conducted by Rosmarin et al. and published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, has reported the promising outcomes of lebrikizumab treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe AD, particularly in terms of sustained improvements in patient-reported outcomes.
The study primarily focused on analyzing the outcomes of participants enrolled in the ADvocate1&2 trials, which evaluated the efficacy of lebrikizumab, a potential treatment for AD. In these trials, individuals who responded positively to 16 weeks of lebrikizumab treatment, as evidenced by achieving either a 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) or an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0/1, were re-randomized for extended treatment regimen
One of the key indicators of patient experience assessed in the study was the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) questionnaire, evaluating symptoms over the past week. For patients treated with lebrikizumab every 4 weeks, 96% and 83% reported a 4-point or more improvement in POEM in the ADvocate 1 and 2 trials, with corresponding rates of 33% and 39% achieving POEM scores of 0 or 1. The mean POEM scores at 52 versus 104 weeks demonstrated stability and improvement, emphasizing the sustained effect of lebrikizumab treatment. The response rates, as well as the percentage of patients reporting a ≥4-point improvement, further highlighted the sustained efficacy of the treatment. In the ADhere trial, patients receiving lebrikizumab every 4 weeks exhibited similarly encouraging outcomes.
The researchers emphasized the overall positive trend in mean total POEM scores among patients treated every 4 weeks, registering at 5.3 and 5.8 in ADvocate 1 and 2, and ADhere, respectively. This collective data underscores the sustained efficacy and impact of lebrikizumab on patients with moderate-to-severe AD. In both the ADvocate 1 and 2 trials and the ADhere trial, 100% and 94% reported similar improvements, respectively. Furthermore, 20% and 17% achieved the desired POEM scores of 0 or 1, indicating a substantial improvement in their quality of life. A similar study by Bernardo et al. reported that lebrikizumab might be a promising emerging targeted biological agent for patients with moderate-to-severe AD.
The consistent improvement in POEM scores, especially for patients who receive treatment every four weeks, suggests a promising future for lebrikizumab as a suitable therapeutic option to manage the persistent challenges posed by AD. Long-term efficacy and safety data, head-to-head comparisons with other agents, and real-world evidence can help to clarify its position in AD therapy.
References
- Rosmarin D, Wollenberg A, Boguniewicz M, Jack C, Barbarot S, Shi V, et al. Lebrikizumab Maintains Improvements in the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure Through 2 Years of Treatment in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2024 Feb 1;153(2):AB7.
- Bernardo D, Bieber T, Torres T. Lebrikizumab for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2023;24(5):753–64.