Lebrikizumab shows early efficacy in atopic dermatitis for patients with skin of color
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Key takeaways:
- The phase 3b ADmirable trial is the first to evaluate lebrikizumab in patients with skin of color.
- Interim results showed EASI and IGA improvement after 16 weeks of treatment with lebrikizumab.
SAN DIEGO — Atopic dermatitis improvement was found with lebrikizumab treatment in patients with skin of color, according to interim study results presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting.
“Lebrikizumab is a novel monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity and slow off-rate to [interleukin]-13 thereby blocking the downstream effects of IL-13 with high potency,” Jill S. Waibel, MD, of Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, said during her presentation. “The efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab to treat moderate to severe AD have been established in phase 3 studies, including subset analyses by race and ethnicity. There is a paucity of data to guide the treatment of moderate to severe AD in populations traditionally under-represented in clinical trials, including patients with skin of color.”
The open label phase 3b ADmirable trial aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lebrikizumab 250 mg, administered every 2 weeks, in patients with skin of color and moderate to severe AD for 24 weeks. These interim data include results from 40 patients who have completed 16 weeks of treatment.
Patients had baseline EASI scores of 16 or greater, IGA of 3 or above and body surface area of at least 10%. Also, Fitzpatrick skin types IV, V and VI were included.
At week 16, EASI 75 was observed in 66% of patients and EASI 90 was observed in 46%. A mean reduction of 79% was recorded from baseline EASI.
An IGA score of 0 or 1, with at least a 2-point improvement, was observed in 39% of patients.
In a new scale developed by Eli Lilly to compare post-inflammatory lesions to unaffected adjacent normal skin, 12 of 21 lesions had improved hyperpigmentation, whereas six achieved normal skin tone.
Concomitant low potency corticosteroids were used in 14 patients, and 13 used mod-potency topical corticosteroids. A topical PDE-4 inhibitor was used in seven patients. One patient used systemic prednisone.
“Lebrikizumab improved AD signs and symptoms in patients with skin of color and moderate to severe AD after 16 weeks of treatment,” Waibel said. “I think this is really exciting because this is the first time there has been a trial focusing on skin of color with moderate to severe eczema in Fitzpatrick photo types 4 through 6.”