Current and emerging immunobiologic therapies for atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease with a multifactorial etiology that affects up to 20% of children and up to 7% of adults in the USA. Annual costs are estimated to be greater than $5 billion as of 2015 and have likely increased since. Mild cases can be managed with emollients and topical steroids or non-steroidal medications; however, moderate-to-severe AD is much more difficult to control and typically requires systemic therapy. While historically treatment has involved topical and oral corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive medications, advances in our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of AD has allowed us to develop more precisely targeted therapies for the condition. Specifically, because of the high prevalence and burden on quality of life, many new immunologic therapies are emerging or in development to treat this condition. This article summarizes the existing, upcoming, and failed immunologic-based medications for atopic dermatitis.