Each month Levy Library showcases the achievements of Mount Sinai faculty and researchers by highlighting an article and its altmetrics. Altmetrics are alternative measures of impact that capture non-traditional data like abstract views, article downloads, and social media activity.
This month we highlight: Treatment of atopic dermatitis with tralokinumab, an anti-IL-13 mAb. This article was written in part by Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD (Professor, Dermatology).
CITATION
The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, ISSN: 1097-6825, Vol: 143, Issue: 1, Page: 135-141
BACKGROUND
IL-13 has an important role in atopic dermatitis (AD) pathogenesis. Tralokinumab is a fully human mAb that potently and specifically neutralizes IL-13.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tralokinumab in adults with moderate-to-severe AD.
METHODS
In this phase 2b study (NCT02347176), 204 adults were randomized 1:1:1:1 to receive 45, 150, or 300 mg of subcutaneous tralokinumab, or placebo, every 2 weeks for 12 weeks with concomitant topical glucocorticoids. Coprimary end points were change from baseline in Eczema Area Severity Index score and percentage of participants with an Investigator's Global Assessment response (0/1 score and reduction of ≥2 grades from baseline) at week 12.
RESULTS
At week 12, 300 mg of tralokinumab significantly improved change from baseline in Eczema Area Severity Index score versus placebo (adjusted mean difference, −4.94; 95% CI, −8.76 to −1.13; P = .01), and a greater percentage of participants achieved an Investigator's Global Assessment response (26.7% vs 11.8%). Greater responses were found in participants with greater concentrations of biomarkers of increased IL-13 activity. Participants treated with 300 mg of tralokinumab demonstrated improvements in SCORAD, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and pruritus numeric rating scale (7-day mean) scores versus placebo. Upper respiratory tract infection was the most frequent treatment-emergent adverse event reported as related to study drug in the placebo (3.9%) and pooled tralokinumab (3.9%) groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Tralokinumab treatment was associated with early and sustained improvements in AD symptoms and an acceptable safety and tolerability profile, thereby providing evidence for targeting IL-13 in patients with AD.