Emerging Age of Opportunity for More Effective Treatments in Atopic Dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by widespread lesions, which manifest as erythematous areas with crusting and/or scaling, oozing, excoriations, and lichenification.
Additionally, pruritus/itching is one of the major symptoms of the disease which has
prompted a description of AD as “the itch that rashes”. Combined, these symptoms significantly
impact on the quality of life for millions of individuals worldwide.
For years, AD was primarily considered a disease that affected children and adolescents,
but recent epidemiological studies have highlighted the increased incidence of disease among
the adult population as well.
Until recently, individuals with AD had very few options for effective treatment of
their disease. Individuals were predominantly managed through the use of topically applied
steroids, calcineurin inhibitors (i.e., pimecrolimus, tacrolimus), or immunosuppressive agents
(i.e., cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil) to suppress the inflammatory response and restore
skin barrier function; allergen avoidance to prevent disease exacerbation and acute flares; and
antimicrobial agents to prevent secondary skin infections.
In severe cases, patients received oral antihistamines and anti-anxiety medications
to alleviate the insatiable itching. These treatments are relatively effective in individuals
with more mild disease, but the treatment effect is short-lived and does not provide long-term
relief or remission for the more moderate to severe patients.
Additionally, long-term use of steroids may be associated with significant side effects
which subsequently increases the anxiety of patients and may reduce patient compliance.
Emerging Age of Opportunity for More Effective Treatments in Atopic Dermatitis.
Dermatol Open J. 2017; 2(2): e3-e4. doi: 10.17140/DRMTOJ-2-e003