A recent study has shown that the majority of patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) who responded to the biologic treatment lebrikizumab have maintained clear or nearly clear skin for up to three years. The findings come from Almirall’s long-term extension study, ADjoin, with results set to be presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Amsterdam this week.
Lebrikizumab, an interleukin-13 (IL-13) inhibitor, blocks a key cytokine responsible for driving inflammation in atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition that affects millions worldwide. The drug works by targeting IL-13, which plays a critical role in disrupting the skin barrier and causing symptoms such as itching, thickened skin, and increased susceptibility to infections.
New data from the ADjoin study, involving patients from the ADvocate 1 and 2 trials, show that more than 80% of those who responded to lebrikizumab treatment at 16 weeks maintained clear or almost-clear skin over a three-year period with monthly maintenance doses.
Prof. Dr. med. Diamant Thaçi, Director at the Institute and Comprehensive Centre for Inflammation Medicine in Lübeck, Germany, welcomed the findings, stating, “Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis imposes a significant burden on patients, affecting their quality of life and overall wellbeing. These new three-year clinical data demonstrate the potential this biologic treatment has to provide sustained relief from this disease, offering long-term benefits to people living with this chronic and relapsing condition.”
In the ADjoin trial, 84% of patients receiving lebrikizumab once a month and 83% of those receiving it every two weeks experienced sustained skin clearance. Additionally, nearly 87% of those on monthly dosing did not require the use of high-potency topical corticosteroids or systemic treatments during the three-year period.
Dr. Volker Koscielny, Chief Medical Officer at Almirall, commented: “These latest clinical data for lebrikizumab show the potential of this innovative medicine to provide sustained improvement for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, a chronic and often debilitating condition. The results offer reassurance to clinicians and patients alike, demonstrating that the vast majority of those who respond to lebrikizumab will continue to benefit from long-term treatment.”
The study also confirmed that the safety profile of lebrikizumab remained consistent over the three-year period. The most common side effects were mild to moderate, with less than 3% of patients discontinuing treatment due to adverse events. Reported side effects included conjunctivitis, injection site reactions, and shingles.
Lebrikizumab has been approved for use in the UK, EU, Japan, Switzerland, and the U.S. It is currently available for prescription in several European countries, including the UK, Germany, and Spain.
Mark Genovese, Senior Vice President of Immunology Development at Lilly, Almirall’s partner for lebrikizumab in the U.S., said: “These three-year data demonstrate that lebrikizumab given once monthly provides sustained symptom relief for patients who need it most.”
Further data from this long-term study will be presented at future scientific meetings, offering additional insights into the drug’s efficacy in treating atopic dermatitis.
For more information, please visit https://www.almirall.com/
