BERLIN — A novel regulatory T-cell–stimulating therapy appears to significantly improve atopic dermatitis in patients with moderate to severe disease and may even benefit quality of life, suggest results from a phase 1b trial.
The research was presented at the annual meeting of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology on October 13.
More than 40 patients were randomly assigned to receive one of two doses of a highly selective recombinant interleukin (IL)-2 conjugate, rezpegaldesleukin or placebo for 12 weeks, after which responders were observed out to 48 weeks.
The higher dose was associated with significant improvements in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and Body Surface Area (BSA) scores, which were maintained over the course of the study, as well as trends for improved patient reported outcomes.
"This is the first study to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of rezpegaldesleukin," said presenter Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH, associate professor of dermatology and director of clinical research at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science, Washington, DC.
He added, "These may be some of the most compelling data to date for the field, proving that, at a high level, if you causally increase regulator T cells, you will take down inflammation and improve a disease state.
