Eblasakimab is efficacious and well-tolerated for treating adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, according to a recent cohort study.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disease. Despite advances in systemic therapies for moderate-to-severe AD, therapeutic options remain limited. Eblasakimab is a novel human monoclonal antibody that binds the interleukin (IL)-13 receptor α1 subunit with high affinity, blocking IL-4 and IL-13 signaling. A cohort study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology assessed the safety and efficacy of eblasakimab in adults with moderate-to-severe AD.
Study Population
Of the 52 patients randomized to weekly doses for 8 weeks, 40 were included in the modified intent-to-treat analysis: eblasakimab 200mg (n=4), 400mg (n=7), or 600mg (n=16), or placebo (n=13). The mean age was 33.1 years, and 65.3% were males. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were balanced across the groups.
Eblasakimab Demonstrates a Favorable Safety Profile
Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 47% of the patients on placebo and 71% of patients receiving eblasakimab. Most TEAEs were mild or moderate and did not result in study discontinuation. Mild-to-moderate injection site reactions were observed in 26% of patients receiving eblasakimab and 12% on placebo. Two patients receiving active treatment developed conjunctivitis. One serious adverse event occurred in the eblasakimab 400mg group, which was likely unrelated to treatment. No deaths were reported.
Eblasakimab Improves EASI Scores
Improvements in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) were observed early and progressed over time with eblasakimab compared with placebo. The 400mg and 600mg doses resulted in greater clinical responses than the 200mg dose. At week 8, eblasakimab 600mg demonstrated significant improvement in the mean percentage change in EASI (−65% vs. −27%, P=0.014) and the proportion of patients achieving EASI50 (81% vs. 31%, P=0.008) and EASI75 (69% vs. 15%, P=0.005) compared to placebo. Moreover, the trend was for a higher proportion of patients receiving eblasakimab 600mg vs. placebo to achieve EASI90 (38% vs. 15%, P=0.183) and an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0/1 (44% vs. 15%, P=0.107). The mean percentage change from baseline in the affected body surface area was −51% vs. −13%, respectively, for eblasakimab 600mg and placebo.
Eblasakimab Shows Substantial Improvements in PP-NRS and POEM Scores
At week 8, improvements in the percentage change from baseline in the peak pruritis numeric rating scale (PP-NRS) were more pronounced with eblasakimab 600mg than placebo; for median worst itch (−48% vs. −13%, respectively) and median average itch (−49% vs. −6%, respectively). A ≥4-point improvement in PP-NRS was observed with eblasakimab 600mg versus placebo (worst itch: 39% vs. 13%, average itch: 31% vs. 15%).
Improvements in Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) scores were observed over time with eblasakimab versus placebo, with the 400mg and 600mg doses resulting in higher clinical responses than the 200mg dose. At week 8, the median POEM score change from baseline was −9 and −1 for eblasakimab 600mg and placebo, respectively. A higher 4-point improvement in POEM score was seen for eblasakimab 600mg versus placebo (81% vs. 23%). Moreover, greater improvements in POEM sleep scores were seen with eblasakimab versus placebo.
Source:
Veverka, K. A., Thng, S. T. G., Silverberg, J. I., Armstrong, A. W., Menezes, J., Kaoukhov, A., & Van De Kerkhof, P. C. M. (2023). Safety and efficacy of eblasakimab, an interleukin 13 receptor α1 monoclonal antibody, in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A phase 1b, multiple-ascending dose study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 90(3), 504–511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2023.10.026
