Tralokinumab plus topical corticosteroids in adults with severe atopic dermatitis and inadequate response to or intolerance of ciclosporin A: a placebo-controlled, randomized, phase III clinical trial (ECZTRA 7)

BACKGROUND

Patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) not controlled with topical therapy have limited treatment options. Ciclosporin A (CSA) is a commonly used, broad immunosuppressant in AD, but treatment with CSA requires monitoring for potentially serious adverse effects. In a previous phase III trial, tralokinumab plus topical corticosteroids (TCS) as needed provided early and sustained improvements in AD signs and symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tralokinumab plus TCS in adult patients with severe AD whose disease was not adequately controlled with CSA or who had contraindications to oral CSA.

METHODS

In this 26-week, multicentre, parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial, European adults with severe AD were randomized 1 : 1 to subcutaneous tralokinumab 300 mg or placebo every 2 weeks plus TCS as needed. The primary endpoint was a 75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI 75) at week 16.

RESULTS

In total, 277 patients were randomized. At week 16, more patients treated with tralokinumab plus TCS vs. placebo plus TCS achieved EASI 75 [64·2% vs. 50·5%; difference 14·1% (95% confidence interval 2·5-25·7); P = 0·018], which increased further up to week 26. Improvements in AD severity were accompanied by early improvements in patient-reported outcomes, including Dermatology Life Quality Index, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, pruritus and sleep interference. Tralokinumab plus TCS also showed a higher EASI75 response at week 16 among patients who had previously failed CSA therapy vs. placebo plus TCS (57% vs. 41%). The overall incidence of adverse events was similar between treatment arms.

CONCLUSIONS

Tralokinumab 300 mg plus TCS as needed was effective and well tolerated in patients with severe AD whose disease was not adequately controlled with CSA or who had contraindications to oral CSA.

Autoreactive T cells and their role in atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an itchy, non-contagious relapsing and chronic inflammatory skin disease that usually develops in early childhood. This pathology is associated with food allergy, allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and anaphylaxis which may persist in adulthood. The underlying mechanisms of AD (endotypes) are just beginning to be discovered and show a complex interaction of various pathways including skin barrier function and immune deviation. Immune reactions to self-proteins (autoantigens) of the skin have been identified in patients with inflammatory skin diseases, such as chronic spontaneous urticaria, connective tissue disease, pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid. IgE antibodies and T cells directed against epitopes of the skin were observed in adult patients with severe and chronic AD as well. This was associated with disease severity and suggests a progression from allergic inflammation to severe autoimmune processes against the skin. IgE-mediated autoimmunity and self-reactive T cells might accelerate the ongoing skin inflammation or might contribute to the relapsing course of the disease. However, to date, the exact mechanisms of IgE-mediated autoimmunity and self-reactive T cells in the pathophysiology of AD are still unclear. The aim of this review is to evaluate the development of (autoreactive) T cells and their response to (auto)antigens, as well as the role of the peripheral tolerance in autoimmunity in the pathophysiology of AD, including the unmet needs and gaps.

EAACI Biologicals Guidelines-dupilumab for children and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis imposes a significant burden on patients, families and healthcare systems. Management is difficult, due to disease heterogeneity, co-morbidities, complexity in care pathways and differences between national or regional healthcare systems. Better understanding of the mechanisms has enabled a stratified approach to the management of atopic dermatitis, supporting the use of targeted treatments with biologicals. However, there are still many issues that require further clarification. These include the definition of response, strategies to enhance the responder rate, the duration of treatment and its regimen (in the clinic or home-based), its cost-effectiveness and long-term safety. The EAACI Guidelines on the use of dupilumab in atopic dermatitis follow the GRADE approach in formulating recommendations for each outcome and age group. In addition, future approaches and research priorities are discussed.

Coexistence of systemic and localized scleroderma: a systematic literature review and observational cohort study

OBJECTIVE

SSc and localized sclerosis (LoS) are considered clinically distinct entities. We describe herein the coexistence of SSc and LoS by both a systematic literature review and an observational cohort study of unselected SSc patients.

METHODS

Original studies documenting the coexistence of SSc and LoS were identified in three electronic databases by means of a systematic literature search according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Additionally, the coexistence of SSc and LoS was studied in a prospective cohort of SSc patients visiting the Ghent University Scleroderma Unit for their yearly follow-up visit between January 2018 and January 2019.

RESULTS

Five studies were finally included for quality appraisal and data extraction. The coexistence of SSc and LoS ranged between 2.4 and 7.4%. RP, scleroderma pattern on nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) and the presence of SSc-specific antibodies were commonly observed in coexistent cases. Additionally, coexistence of SSc and LoS was found in 8/296 (2.7%) consecutive SSc patients of the Ghent University Scleroderma Unit. RP was present in 6/8 coexistent cases; a scleroderma pattern on NVC was observed in all coexistent cases, and SSc-specific antibodies (i.e. cenp-B) were found in 4/8 coexistent cases.

CONCLUSION

This is the first systematic literature review with additional cohort evaluation investigating the coexistence of SSc and LoS. A relatively high overlap of SSc and LoS was revealed, which is peculiar because both are rare diseases.

Efficacy and safety of dupilumab for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: A systematic review for the EAACI biologicals guidelines

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy, safety and economic impact of dupilumab compared to standard of care for uncontrolled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched for RCTs and health economic evaluations. Critical and important AD-related outcomes were considered. The risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence were assessed using GRADE. Seven RCTs including 1845 subjects >12 years treated with dupilumab 16 to 52 weeks were evaluated. For adults, there is high certainty that dupilumab decreases SCORAD (MD -30,72; 95% CI -34,65% to -26,79%) and EASI-75 (RR 3.09; 95% CI 2.45 to 3.89), pruritus (RR 2.96; 95% CI 2.37 to 3.70), rescue medication (RR 3.46; 95% CI 2.79 to 4.30), sleep disturbance (MD -7.29; 95% CI -8.23 to -6.35) and anxiety/depression (MD -3.08; 95% CI -4.41 to -1.75) and improves quality of life (MD -4.80; 95% CI -5.55 to -4.06). The efficacy for adolescents is similar. Dupilumab-related adverse events (AEs) slightly increase (low certainty). The evidence for dupilumab-related serious AE is uncertain. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio ranged from 28 500 £ (low certainty) to 124 541 US$ (moderate certainty). More data on long-term safety are needed both for children and for adults, together with more efficacy data in the paediatric population. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42020153645).

An infant with localized vasoconstriction following topical propranolol exposure for infantile hemangioma

We describe a 3-month-old child with an infantile hemangioma on the forehead with a blanched macule provoked by topical treatment with propranolol. This observation demonstrates that topically applied (non-selective) beta-blockers may induce blanched macules at the site of application, a side effect due to peripheral vasoconstriction of blood vessels by non-selective beta-2 blockade. This side effect was linked due to overuse and was reversible. This case illustrates the importance of providing thorough instructions regarding topical propranolol application.

Efficacy and safety of treatment with omalizumab for chronic spontaneous urticaria: A systematic review for the EAACI Biologicals Guidelines

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of omalizumab for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for RCTs. Critical and important CSU-related outcomes were considered. The risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence were assessed using GRADE. Ten RCTs including 1620 subjects aged 12 to 75 years old treated with omalizumab for 16 to 40 weeks were evaluated. Omalizumab 150 mg does not result in clinically meaningful improvement (high certainty) of the urticaria activity score (UAS)7 (mean difference (MD) -5; 95%CI -7.75 to -2.25), and the itch severity score (ISS)7 (MD -2.15; 95% CI -3.2 to -1.1) does not increase (moderate certainty) quality of life (QoL) (Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI); MD -2.01; 95%CI -3.22 to -0.81) and decreases (moderate certainty) rescue medication use (MD -1.68; 95%CI -2.95 to -0.4). Omalizumab 300 mg results in clinically meaningful improvements (moderate certainty) of the UAS7 (MD -11.05; 95%CI -12.87 to -9.24), the ISS7 (MD -4.45; 95%CI -5.39 to -3.51), and QoL (high certainty) (DLQI; MD -4.03; 95% CI -5.56 to -2.5) and decreases (moderate certainty) rescue medication use (MD -2.04; 95%CI -3.19 to -0.88) and drug-related serious AEs (RR 0.77; 95%CI 0.20 to 2.91).

IgE autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells and their role in children and adults with atopic dermatitis

The pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is highly complex and understanding of disease endotypes may improve disease management. Immunoglobulins E (IgE) against human skin epitopes (IgE autoantibodies) are thought to play a role in disease progression and prolongation. These antibodies have been described in patients with severe and chronic AD, suggesting a progression from allergic inflammation to severe autoimmune processes against the skin. This review provides a summary of the current knowledge and gaps on IgE autoreactivity and self-reactive T cells in children and adults with AD based on a systematic search. Currently, the clinical relevance and the pathomechanism of IgE autoantibodies in AD needs to be further investigated. Additionally, it is unknown whether the presence of IgE autoantibodies in patients with AD is an epiphenomenon or a disease endotype. However, increased knowledge on the clinical relevance and the pathophysiologic role of IgE autoantibodies and self-reactive T cells in AD can have consequences for diagnosis and treatment. Responses to the current available treatments can be used for better understanding of the pathways and may shed new lights on the treatment options for patients with AD and autoreactivity against skin epitopes. To conclude, IgE autoantibodies and self-reactive T cells can contribute to the pathophysiology of AD based on the body of evidence in literature. However, many questions remain open. Future studies on autoreactivity in AD should especially focus on the clinical relevance, the contribution to the disease progression and chronicity on cellular level, the onset and therapeutic strategies.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is associated with childhood and lifetime traumatic events: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Negative life events in childhood can increase the susceptibility to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting the apocrine sweat glands, characterized by abscesses, fistulas and inflammatory nodules. It is unknown whether adult HS is associated with traumatic events.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between childhood and total lifetime traumatic events and the presence of HS.

METHODS

We conducted a matched (1 : 3) case-control study with 71 HS patients and 213 controls. Patients were matched on age, gender and level of education. Questionnaires on general and demographic information, as well as the Traumatic Experience Checklist and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, were completed.

RESULTS

The number of traumatic events (OR: 1.20 per trauma, P value < 0.05), and childhood traumatic events (yes vs. no, OR 3.59, P value < 0.05) and the number of childhood traumatic events (OR 1.35 per trauma, P value < 0.05) were correlated with an increased risk of developing HS. Detailed analysis showed that childhood emotional traumatic events (OR 5.03, P value < 0.05) were significantly associated with the development of HS.

CONCLUSION

Number of lifetime traumatic events and childhood traumatic events are associated with HS. This association is strongest for emotional childhood traumas. The increased prevalence of childhood traumas in HS patients can be one of the underlying mechanisms leading to systemic inflammation in these patients.

Urticaria: Collegium Internationale Allergologicum (CIA) Update 2020

This update on chronic urticaria (CU) focuses on the prevalence and pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), the expanding spectrum of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for assessing CU disease activity, impact, and control, as well as future treatment options for CU. This update is needed, as several recently reported findings have led to significant advances in these areas. Some of these key discoveries were first presented at past meetings of the Collegium Internationale Allergologicum (CIA). New evidence shows that the prevalence of CSU is geographically heterogeneous, high in all age groups, and increasing. Several recent reports have helped to better characterize two endotypes of CSU: type I autoimmune (or autoallergic) CSU, driven by IgE to autoallergens, and type IIb autoimmune CSU, which is due to mast cell (MC)-targeted autoantibodies. The aim of treatment in CU is complete disease control with absence of signs and symptoms as well as normalization of quality of life (QoL). This is best monitored by the use of an expanding set of PROMs, to which the Angioedema Control Test, the Cholinergic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Cholinergic Urticaria Activity Score have recently been added. Current treatment approaches for CU under development include drugs that inhibit the effects of signals that drive MC activation and accumulation, drugs that inhibit intracellular pathways of MC activation and degranulation, and drugs that silence MCs by binding to inhibitory receptors. The understanding, knowledge, and management of CU are rapidly increasing. The aim of this review is to provide physicians who treat CU patients with an update on where we stand and where we will go. Many questions and unmet needs remain to be addressed, such as the development of routine diagnostic tests for type I and type IIb autoimmune CSU, the global dissemination and consistent use of PROMs to assess disease activity, impact, and control, and the development of more effective and well-tolerated long-term treatments for all forms of CU.

Overview on vitamin D and sunbed use

Vitamin D seems to be associated with a protective effect in a vast range of diseases, including cardiovascular, autoimmune and oncologic conditions. Since ultraviolet (UV) B light is the most important prerequisite for the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D, sunbeds are able to increase serum vitamin D levels, although only transiently in most cases. In this scenario, the artificial tanning industry relentlessly tries to promote the use of sunbeds as a 'safe' therapeutic measure to achieve an adequate serum vitamin D status. The World Health Organization classified UV-emitting tanning devices, as well as the whole UV spectrum, as group-1 carcinogens, as they significantly increase the risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. In case of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, the current risk-benefit ratio is therefore in favour of vitamin D supplementation instead of sunbed use. Artificial tanning devices should never be considered as an option to achieve an appropriate vitamin D status. Their supposedly beneficial effects, vastly publicised by the artificial tanning industry, are not worth the carcinogenic risk associated with sunbed use.