Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in Pediatric Patients: An International Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Few large-scale international studies broadly characterized the burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) across age groups among children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To better characterize the AD burden in pediatric subjects by disease severity. METHODS: This cross-sectional, web-based survey of pediatric subjects (6 months to <18 years old) was conducted in 18 countries representing North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East/Eurasia, and East Asia. Subjects with diagnosed AD were identified based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood criteria and self-/parent-report of ever being told by a physician that they/their child had eczema. AD severity was assessed using Patient Oriented Eczema Measure and Patient Global Assessment. Outcomes included measures of itch, skin pain, sleep, health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL), missed school days, and atopic comorbidities. RESULTS: The survey included 1489 children 6 months to < 6 years; 2898 children 6 to < 12 years; and 3078 adolescents 12 to < 18 years diagnosed with AD. Although the burden of mild AD was substantial, pediatric subjects with moderate or severe AD had more itch, skin pain, sleep problems, and impaired HRQoL, and missed more school days relative to those with mild AD; greater burden was observed among severe relative to moderate AD. At least one atopic comorbidity was present in 92·5% of all respondents. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the burden of AD in pediatric subjects especially those with moderate-to-severe disease, and suggest the need for assessments that include the impact of AD on function and daily life.

Impact of exacerbations on lung function, resource utilization, and productivity: results from an observational, prospective study in adults with uncontrolled asthma.

Background: Exacerbations have a major impact on the well-being of patients with uncontrolled asthma. This study evaluated lung function, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and productivity loss following asthma exacerbations.Methods: This single-center, observational, prospective cohort study recruited US patients presenting clinically with an acute asthma exacerbation; a reference group without exacerbations was included for comparison. Lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]) was collected at baseline, daily during Month 1, and monthly for Months 2-5, and reported as FEV1 percent predicted (FEV1pp). HCRU (outpatient visits to a healthcare practitioner, emergency room [ER] visits, and hospitalizations for asthma), oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, and asthma-related work/school absence were collected monthly for 6 months.Results: Overall, 150 patients were recruited (exacerbation: n=102; reference: n=48; mean [SD] age: 42.7 [15.2] and 49.6 [12.4] years; female: 73% and 71%). In both groups, similar trends were observed in FEV1, with significant improvement from baseline to Week 1 (p<0.05), followed by a continuous decline. FEV1p was 7.7% lower at baseline and 8.6% lower at Month 5 in the exacerbation group versus the reference group. The exacerbation group had significantly higher rates of OCS prescription during follow-up versus reference group (p=0.04). Over half (52.9%) of patients in the exacerbation group had a recurrent exacerbation during follow-up, increased HCRU (outpatient visits, ER visits, and hospitalizations), and impaired productivity.Conclusion: Although patients with exacerbations had rapid recovery of lung function, this was not maintained and declined faster than in patients without exacerbations. Additionally, patients experienced increased HCRU after exacerbations.

The Family Impact of Atopic Dermatitis in the Pediatric Population: Results from an International Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of atopic dermatitis on families of pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional, web-based survey of children/adolescents (6 months to <18 years old) with atopic dermatitis and their parents and caregivers was conducted in 18 countries encompassing North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East/Eurasia, and East Asia. Children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis and their parents and caregivers were identified by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood criteria and ever being told by a physician that they had "eczema". Atopic dermatitis severity was assessed using the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure and the Patient Global Assessment. Atopic dermatitis impact on families' lives was evaluated using the Dermatitis Family Impact questionnaire and stand-alone questions on hours of atopic dermatitis-related care (past week) and missed work days (past 4 weeks) owing to their child's atopic dermatitis. RESULTS: A total of 7465 pairs of pediatric participants with atopic dermatitis and their parents or caregivers were surveyed. Across age groups, the Dermatitis Family Impact questionnaire total score for all regions ranged from 7.1 to 8.6, 13.2 to 14.9, and 17.0 to 17.2 for Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure mild, moderate, and severe atopic dermatitis, respectively. Subscale scores showed that greater atopic dermatitis severity had a greater impact on all family life domains, including sleep and tiredness. No specific patterns or trends were observed across age groups. Time spent on childcare and missed work days increased with atopic dermatitis severity. CONCLUSIONS: Across pediatric age groups and geographic regions, greater atopic dermatitis severity was associated with a greater negative impact on physical, emotional, social, and economic components of family life.

Atopic dermatitis in the pediatric population: A cross-sectional, international epidemiologic study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known on the current global prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the real-world global prevalence of AD in the pediatric population and by disease severity. METHODS: This international, cross-sectional, web-based survey of children and adolescents (6 months to <18 years old) was conducted in the following 18 countries: North America (Canada, United States), Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico), Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom), Middle East and Eurasia (Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Russia), and East Asia (Japan, Taiwan). Prevalence was determined using the following 2 definitions: (1) diagnosed as having AD according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) criteria and self- or parent-report of ever being told by a physician that they or their child child had AD (eczema); and (2) reported AD based on the ISAAC criteria only. Severity was assessed using the Patient Global Assessment (PtGA) and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM). RESULTS: Among 65,661 responders, the 12-month diagnosed AD prevalence (ISAAC plus self-reported diagnosis) ranged from 2.7% to 20.1% across countries; reported AD (ISAAC only) was 13.5% to 41.9%. Severe AD evaluated with both PtGA and POEM was generally less than 15%; more subjects rated AD as mild on PtGA than suggested by POEM. No trends in prevalence were observed based on age or sex; prevalence was generally lower in rural residential settings than urban or suburban. CONCLUSION: This global survey in 18 countries revealed that AD affects a substantial proportion of the pediatric population. Although prevalence and severity varied across age groups and countries, less than 15% had severe AD.

Dupilumab treatment results in early and sustained improvements in itch in adolescents and adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis: Analysis of the randomized phase 3 studies SOLO 1 and SOLO 2, AD ADOL, and CHRONOS.

BACKGROUND: Pruritus (itch) is a cardinal symptom in atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the timing and effect of dupilumab on itch. METHODS: Analysis of data from 1505 patients with moderate to severe AD included in 4 randomized controlled studies, treated for up to 52 weeks. Adults received dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks or placebo monotherapy (SOLO 1: NCT02277743; SOLO 2: NCT02277769), with concomitant topical corticosteroids (CHRONOS: NCT02260986); adolescents (≥12 to <18 y) were treated with dupilumab monotherapy every 2 weeks (200 mg for baseline weight of <60 kg; 300 mg for baseline weight of ≥60 kg) or placebo (AD ADOL: NCT03054428). RESULTS: Dupilumab showed significant rapid improvements from baseline in daily Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale scores versus placebo, by day 2 in adults and day 5 in adolescents. At treatment end, dupilumab vs placebo/control had greater least-squares mean percent change from baseline in the weekly average of Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale scores: SOLO -47.5% vs -20.5%; AD-ADOL -47.9% vs -19.0%; CHRONOS -57.3% vs -30.9% (P < .0001 for all). LIMITATIONS: Short duration of monotherapy trials (16 weeks). CONCLUSION: Across 4 randomized trials, dupilumab treatment showed rapid and sustained improvements in the magnitude of itch, starting with first dose; responses progressively increased and were sustained through to the end of treatment, up to 1 year.

Dupilumab shows long-term safety and efficacy in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis enrolled in a phase 3 open-label extension study.

BACKGROUND: Significant unmet need exists for long-term treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of dupilumab in patients with AD. METHODS: This ongoing, multicenter, open-label extension study (NCT01949311) evaluated long-term dupilumab treatment in adults who had previously participated in phase 1 through 3 clinical trials of dupilumab for AD. This analysis examined patients given 300 mg dupilumab weekly for up to 76 weeks at data cutoff (April 2016). Safety was the primary outcome; efficacy was also evaluated. RESULTS: Of 1491 enrolled patients (1042.9 patient-years), 92.9% were receiving treatment at cutoff. The safety profile was consistent with previously reported trials (420.4 adverse events/100 patient-years and 8.5 serious adverse events/100 patient-years), with no new safety signals; common adverse events included nasopharyngitis, conjunctivitis, and injection-site reactions. Sustained improvement was seen up to 76 weeks in all efficacy outcomes, including measures of skin inflammation, pruritus, and quality of life. LIMITATIONS: Lack of control arm, limited number of patients with 76 weeks or longer of treatment (median follow-up, 24 weeks), and patients not receiving the approved dose regimen of 300 mg every 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: The safety and efficacy profile from this study supports the role of dupilumab as continuous long-term treatment for patients with moderate to severe AD.

Two Phase 3 Trials of Dupilumab versus Placebo in Atopic Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Dupilumab, a human monoclonal antibody against interleukin-4 receptor alpha, inhibits signaling of interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, type 2 cytokines that may be important drivers of atopic or allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis. METHODS: In two randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trials of identical design (SOLO 1 and SOLO 2), we enrolled adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis whose disease was inadequately controlled by topical treatment. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive, for 16 weeks, subcutaneous dupilumab (300 mg) or placebo weekly or the same dose of dupilumab every other week alternating with placebo. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who had both a score of 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear) on the Investigator's Global Assessment and a reduction of 2 points or more in that score from baseline at week 16. RESULTS: We enrolled 671 patients in SOLO 1 and 708 in SOLO 2. In SOLO 1, the primary outcome occurred in 85 patients (38%) who received dupilumab every other week and in 83 (37%) who received dupilumab weekly, as compared with 23 (10%) who received placebo (P<0.001 for both comparisons with placebo). The results were similar in SOLO 2, with the primary outcome occurring in 84 patients (36%) who received dupilumab every other week and in 87 (36%) who received dupilumab weekly, as compared with 20 (8%) who received placebo (P<0.001 for both comparisons). In addition, in the two trials, an improvement from baseline to week 16 of at least 75% on the Eczema Area and Severity Index was reported in significantly more patients who received each regimen of dupilumab than in patients who received placebo (P<0.001 for all comparisons). Dupilumab was also associated with improvement in other clinical end points, including reduction in pruritus and symptoms of anxiety or depression and improvement in quality of life. Injection-site reactions and conjunctivitis were more frequent in the dupilumab groups than in the placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: In two phase 3 trials of identical design involving patients with atopic dermatitis, dupilumab improved the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis, including pruritus, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and quality of life, as compared with placebo. Trials of longer duration are needed to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of dupilumab. (Funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals; SOLO 1 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02277743 ; SOLO 2 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02277769 .).

Dupilumab improves symptoms, quality of life, and productivity in uncontrolled persistent asthma.

BACKGROUND: In a pivotal, phase 2b study (NCT01854047) in patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma, despite using medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting ß2 agonists, dupilumab improved lung function, reduced severe exacerbations, and showed an acceptable safety profile. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of dupilumab on asthma control, symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and productivity. METHODS: Data are shown for the intention-to-treat population receiving dupilumab 200/300 mg every 2 weeks (doses being assessed in phase 3; NCT02414854), or placebo. Predefined analyses of total scores were conducted at week 24 for the 5-item Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-5), patient-reported morning/evening (AM/PM) asthma symptoms, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), and asthma-related productivity loss. Responder rate analyses for these measures, subgroup analyses by baseline characteristics, and asthma-related productivity loss analyses were conducted post hoc. RESULTS: Data from 465 patients were analyzed (158 placebo; 307 dupilumab). Both dupilumab doses significantly improved scores through week 24 (all outcomes, overall population). The proportion of patients meeting or exceeding the minimal clinically important difference for the overall population were significantly greater vs placebo (P < .05) for ACQ-5 (range, 72.6%-76.7% vs 61.4%), for AM/PM asthma symptoms score (48.7%-54.1% vs 34.2% and 52.7%-53.5% vs 34.2%, respectively) and for AQLQ (64.0%-65.0% vs 51.3%). The effect of dupilumab was consistent across most subgroups. Productivity loss was significantly higher in placebo- vs dupilumab-treated patients (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Dupilumab produced significant, clinically meaningful improvements in asthma control, symptoms, QoL, and productivity. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01854047.

Burden of illness in adults with atopic dermatitis: Analysis of National Health and Wellness Survey data from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: The disease burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) in European populations is not well known. OBJECTIVE: To establish the disease burden in European adult patients with AD. METHODS: Data were from the 2016 National Health and Wellness Survey conducted in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Bivariate analyses were conducted on outcomes between controls without AD matched to patients with self-reported AD (both n = 1860). RESULTS: Patients with AD and a subset of patients with inadequately controlled AD (IC-AD) versus controls without AD, respectively, reported significantly higher (P < .001) 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical and Mental Component Summaries (PCS, MCS), and anxiety (31.9% and 51.7% vs 14.4%), depression (25.8% and 36.2% vs 12.9%), and sleep disorder (22.7% and 39.7% vs 12.6%) prevalences. Patients with IC-AD versus controls without AD reported significantly greater (P < .001) overall work (57.1% vs 23.7%) and activity impairment (51.7% vs 26.5%). In addition, 21.6% of patients with AD and 37.9% of patients with IC-AD reported ≥1 emergency department visit in the previous 6 months versus 16.5% of controls without AD, and 93.1% of patients with AD versus 84.2% of those without AD had ≥1 clinician visit (both P < .001). Of these, patients with IC-AD showed greater burden on most outcomes than patients with controlled AD. LIMITATIONS: Low response rate, possible selection bias due to survey technology availability, and patient-reported data susceptible to recall bias. CONCLUSION: Patients with AD reported significant burden on health, health-related quality of life, productivity, activities, and health care.

Dupilumab does not affect correlates of vaccine-induced immunity: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of dupilumab, an anti-interleukin (IL) 4 receptor α antibody that inhibits IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, on vaccine responses of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independent humoral immune responses to tetanus and meningococcal vaccines, IgE seroconversion to tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination, and dupilumab efficacy and safety. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study (NCT02210780), adults with moderate-to-severe AD received dupilumab (300 mg) or placebo weekly for 16 weeks, and single doses of Tdap and quadrivalent meningococcal polysaccharide vaccines at week 12. Primary endpoint was proportion of patients achieving satisfactory IgG response to tetanus toxoid at week 16. RESULTS: In total, 178 patients completed the study. Similar positive immune responses (≥4-fold increase in antibody titer, or an antibody titer of ≥8) were achieved in the dupilumab and placebo groups to tetanus (83.3% and 83.7%, respectively) and meningococcal polysaccharide (86.7% and 87.0%, respectively). Dupilumab significantly decreased total serum IgE; most dupilumab-treated patients were Tdap-IgE seronegative at week 32 (62.2% dupilumab and 34.8% placebo). Dupilumab improved key AD efficacy endpoints (P < .001). Injection-site reactions and conjunctivitis were more common with dupilumab; AD exacerbations more frequent with placebo. LIMITATION: Patients' prior vaccination status was not available before enrollment. CONCLUSION: Dupilumab did not affect responses to the vaccines studied, significantly decreased IgE, and improved measures of AD severity versus placebo, with an acceptable safety profile.

Dupilumab Versus Cyclosporine for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Adults: Indirect Comparison Using the Eczema Area and Severity Index.

Dupilumab is approved for uncontrolled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD); cyclosporine is approved for severe AD for ≤ 1 year. The efficacy/effectiveness of these treat-ments was compared indirectly. Regression models used pooled patient-level data to estimate response (Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) EASI-50/EASI-75 at weeks 12-16 and 24-30) to dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks (CHRONOS [NCT02260986]) or cyclosporine (University Medical Center). Models were adjusted for sex, baseline EASI, and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine level. A total of 106 patients received dupilumab (+ topical cortico-steroids; + TCS), and 57 received cyclosporine (+ TCS). Among University Medical Center patients, estimated EASI-50 responders were, dupilumab vs. cyclosporine, 91% vs. 77% (p = 0.038; weeks 12-16), and 96% vs. 67% (p < 0.0001; weeks 24-30); EASI-75 responders were 78% vs. 56% (p = 0.016; weeks 12-16) and 80% vs. 47% (p <0.001; weeks 24-30). Among CHRONOS patients, estimated EASI-50 responders were 90% vs. 74% (p <0.038; weeks 12-16) and 92% vs. 53% (p < 0.0001; weeks 24-30); EASI-75 responders were 75% vs. 52% (p = 0.016; weeks 12-16) and 74% vs. 40% (p <0.001; weeks 24-30), respectively. These results suggest a higher relative efficacy of dupilumab vs. cyclosporine.

Validation of the Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool (ADCT©) using a longitudinal survey of biologic-treated patients with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool (ADCT©) is a brief patient self-administered instrument designed and validated to assess atopic dermatitis (AD) control; six AD symptoms and impacts are evaluated over the past week, including overall severity of symptoms, days with intense episodes of itching, intensity of bother, problem with sleep, impact on daily activities, and impact on mood or emotions. This study assessed the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the ADCT in a longitudinal context, and provided thresholds to identify meaningful within-person change. METHODS: Data were from a prospective, longitudinal patient survey study of real-world effectiveness of dupilumab in patients with AD. Eligible patients completed a baseline survey before starting dupilumab and were followed at Months 1, 2, 3, and 6 post-initiation as they became eligible. RESULTS: Psychometric analyses confirmed internal consistency; Cronbach's α coefficients were consistently above the threshold of 0.70 across each follow-up; item-to-total correlations were above the threshold of r ≥ 0.50. High correlations between the ADCT and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and skin pain supported construct validity, while known-group validity was shown on Patient Global Assessment of Disease (PGAD) overall well-being subgroups with worse AD-related overall well-being having higher mean ADCT total scores at all time points. The ability of the ADCT to detect change was confirmed; the threshold for meaningful within-person change was estimated to be 5 points. Finally, test-retest reliability was confirmed in subgroups of patients with stable PGAD responses. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that the ADCT is a valid and reliable tool for assessing AD control.

Efficacy of Dupilumab in Different Racial Subgroups of Adults With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Three Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Trials

Dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the shared receptor subunit for interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, is currently approved for the treatment of adults with inadequately controlled moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). The efficacy and safety of dupilumab for AD among racial subgroups is unknown. This post hoc analysis from three phase 3 trials assessed the efficacy and safety of dupilumab vs placebo by racial subgroup (White, Asian, Black/African American). Data from LIBERTY AD SOLO 1 (NCT02277743), SOLO 2 (NCT02277769), and CHRONOS (NCT02260986) were pooled. Outcomes included mean and percent change from baseline to week 16 in the key therapeutic domains Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, as well as Investigator's Global Assessment and pain or discomfort assessed by the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions 3 level questionnaire. A total of 2,058 patients (White n=1,429, Asian n=501, Black/African American n=128) were included in the current analysis. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were balanced between treatment groups and racial subgroups. In the three trials, dupilumab significantly (P<0.0001) improved all assessed outcomes compared with placebo in the White and Asian subgroups. In the smaller Black/African American subgroup, dupilumab significantly (P<0.0001) improved EASI endpoints and mean changes in Peak Pruritus NRS and DLQI vs placebo, with positive numeric trends favoring dupilumab in all other endpoints. Dupilumab was generally well tolerated, with an acceptable safety profile in all racial subgroups. Serious adverse events occurred more frequently with placebo; treatment discontinuations due to adverse events were rare in all treatment groups. Significant clinical improvement and a favorable benefit-risk profile can be achieved with dupilumab treatment in patients of White, Asian, and Black/African American racial subgroups with moderate-to-severe AD inadequately controlled with topical medications. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT02277743, NCT02277769, NCT02260986

Efficacy and safety of dupilumab in perennial allergic rhinitis and comorbid asthma.

BACKGROUND: Dupilumab, an anti-IL-4 receptor α mAb, inhibits IL-4/IL-13 signaling, key drivers of type 2/TH2 immune diseases (eg, atopic/allergic disease). In a pivotal, phase 2b study (NCT01854047), dupilumab reduced severe exacerbations, improved lung function and quality of life, and was generally well tolerated in patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma despite using medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting ß2-agonists. OBJECTIVE: To examine dupilumab's effect on the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) total score and its allergic rhinitis (AR)-associated items in asthma patients with comorbid perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). METHODS: A post hoc analysis reporting data from the phase 2b study for the 200 and 300 mg every 2 week (q2w) doses under investigation in phase 3 (NCT02414854) was carried out. PAR was defined at study entry as a specific response to typical perennial antigens (IgE ≥0.35 Ku/L). RESULTS: Overall, 241 (61%) patients had PAR. In asthma patients with PAR, dupilumab 300 mg q2w versus placebo significantly improved SNOT-22 total score (least squares mean difference, -5.98; 95% CI, -10.45 to -1.51; P = .009) and all 4 AR-associated symptoms evaluated (nasal blockage, -0.60; 95% CI, -0.96 to -0.25; runny nose, -0.67; 95% CI, -1.04 to -0.31; sneezing, -0.55; 95% CI, -0.89 to -0.21; postnasal discharge, -0.49; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.16; all P < .01). Dupilumab 200 mg q2w demonstrated numerical, but not statistically significant, decreases in SNOT-22 total score (-1.82; 95% CI, -6.46 to 2.83; P = .443 vs placebo) and in each AR-associated symptom. In patients without PAR, no differences were observed for these measures versus placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Dupilumab 300 mg q2w significantly improved AR-associated nasal symptoms in patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma and comorbid PAR.

Long-term management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with dupilumab and concomitant topical corticosteroids (LIBERTY AD CHRONOS): a 1-year, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Dupilumab (an anti-interleukin-4-receptor-α monoclonal antibody) blocks signalling of interleukin 4 and interleukin 13, type 2/Th2 cytokines implicated in numerous allergic diseases ranging from asthma to atopic dermatitis. Previous 16-week monotherapy studies showed that dupilumab substantially improved signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with acceptable safety, validating the crucial role of interleukin 4 and interleukin 13 in atopic dermatitis pathogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of dupilumab with medium-potency topical corticosteroids versus placebo with topical corticosteroids in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. METHODS: In this 1-year, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study (LIBERTY AD CHRONOS), adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and inadequate response to topical corticosteroids were enrolled at 161 hospitals, clinics, and academic institutions in 14 countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America. Patients were randomly assigned (3:1:3) to subcutaneous dupilumab 300 mg once weekly (qw), dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks (q2w), or placebo via a central interactive voice/web response system, stratified by severity and global region. All three groups were given concomitant topical corticosteroids with or without topical calcineurin inhibitors where inadvisable for topical corticosteroids. Topical corticosteroids could be tapered, stopped, or restarted on the basis of disease activity. Coprimary endpoints were patients (%) achieving Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 and 2-point or higher improvement from baseline, and Eczema Area and Severity Index 75% improvement from baseline (EASI-75) at week 16. Week 16 efficacy and week 52 safety analyses included all randomised patients; week 52 efficacy included patients who completed treatment by US regulatory submission cutoff. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02260986. FINDINGS: Between Oct 3, 2014, and July 31, 2015, 740 patients were enrolled: 319 were randomly assigned to dupilumab qw plus topical corticosteroids, 106 to dupilumab q2w plus topical corticosteroids, and 315 to placebo plus topical corticosteroids. 623 (270, 89, and 264, respectively) were evaluable for week 52 efficacy. At week 16, more patients who received dupilumab plus topical corticosteroids achieved the coprimary endpoints of IGA 0/1 (39% [125 patients] who received dupilumab plus topical corticosteroids qw and 39% [41 patients] who received dupilumab q2w plus topical corticosteroids vs 12% [39 patients] who received placebo plus topical corticosteroids; p<0·0001) and EASI-75 (64% [204] and 69% [73] vs 23% [73]; p<0·0001). Week 52 results were similar. Adverse events were reported in 261 (83%) patients who received dupilumab qw plus topical corticosteroids, 97 (88%) patients who received dupilumab q2w, and 266 (84%) patients who received placebo, and serious adverse events in nine (3%), four (4%), and 16 (5%) patients, respectively. No significant dupilumab-induced laboratory abnormalities were noted. Injection-site reactions and conjunctivitis were more common in patients treated with dupilumab plus topical corticosteroids-treated patients than in patients treated with placebo plus topical corticosteroids. INTERPRETATION: Dupilumab added to standard topical corticosteroid treatment for 1 year improved atopic dermatitis signs and symptoms, with acceptable safety. FUNDING: Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The burden of atopic dermatitis in US adults: Health care resource utilization data from the 2013 National Health and Wellness Survey.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data on the burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults relative to the general population. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the AD burden in adult patients relative to both matched non-AD controls and matched patients with psoriasis in terms of comorbidities, health care resource utilization (HCRU), and costs. METHODS: Adults (≥18 years) who self-reported a diagnosis of AD or psoriasis and adult non-AD controls were identified from the 2013 US National Health and Wellness Survey. Patients with AD were propensity score-matched with non-AD controls and patients with psoriasis on demographic variables. Patient-reported outcomes were analyzed between matched cohorts. RESULTS: Patients with AD had a significantly greater risk for atopic comorbidities, as well as significantly greater HCRU and total cost compared with non-AD controls. The burden of AD was generally comparable to that of psoriasis, although patients with AD reported increased use of emergency room visits compared with patients with psoriasis. LIMITATIONS: Patient-reported data are susceptible to recall bias and erroneous classification. CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients with AD reported a substantial disease burden, suggesting an unmet need for more effective AD treatment options.

Dupilumab efficacy and safety in adults with uncontrolled persistent asthma despite use of medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a long-acting ß2 agonist: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled pivotal phase 2b dose-ranging trial.

BACKGROUND: Dupilumab, a fully human anti-interleukin-4 receptor α monoclonal antibody, inhibits interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signalling, key drivers of type-2-mediated inflammation. Adults with uncontrolled persistent asthma who are receiving medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a long-acting ß2 agonist require additional treatment options as add-on therapy. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of dupilumab as add-on therapy in patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma on medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a long-acting ß2 agonist, irrespective of baseline eosinophil count. METHODS: We did this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, pivotal phase 2b clinical trial at 174 study sites across 16 countries or regions. Adults (aged ≥18 years) with an asthma diagnosis for 12 months or more based on the Global Initiative for Asthma 2009 Guidelines receiving treatment with medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a long-acting ß2 agonist were eligible for participation. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1) to receive subcutaneous dupilumab 200 mg or 300 mg every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks, or placebo, over a 24-week period. The primary endpoint was change from baseline at week 12 in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 in L) in patients with baseline blood eosinophil counts of at least 300 eosinophils per µL assessed in the intention-to-treat population. Safety outcomes were assessed in all patients that received at least one dose or part of a dose of study drug. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01854047, and with the EU Clinical Trials Register, EudraCT number 2013-000856-16. FINDINGS: 769 patients (158 in the placebo group and 611 in the dupilumab groups) received at least one dose of study drug. In the subgroup with at least 300 eosinophils per µL, the greatest increases (200 mg every 2 weeks, p=0·0008; 300 mg every 2 weeks, p=0·0063) in FEV1 compared with placebo were observed at week 12 with doses every 2 weeks in the 300 mg group (mean change 0·39 L [SE 0·05]; mean difference 0·21 [95% CI 0·06-0·36; p=0·0063]) and in the 200 mg group (mean change 0·43 L [SE 0·05]; mean difference 0·26 [0·11-0·40; p=0·0008]) compared with placebo (0·18 L [SE 0·05]). Similar significant increases were observed in the overall population and in the fewer than 300 eosinophils per µL subgroup (overall population: 200 mg every 2 weeks, p<0·0001; 300 mg every 2 weeks, p<0·0001; <300 eosinophils per µL: 200 mg every 2 weeks, p=0·0034; 300 mg every 2 weeks, p=0·0086), and were maintained to week 24. Likewise, dupilumab every 2 weeks produced the greatest reductions in annualised rates of exacerbation in the overall population (70-70·5%), the subgroup with at least 300 eosinophils per µL (71·2-80·7%), and the subgroup with fewer than 300 eosinophils per µL (59·9-67·6%). The most common adverse events with dupilumab compared with placebo were upper respiratory tract infections (33-41% vs 35%) and injection-site reactions (13-26% vs 13%). INTERPRETATION: Dupilumab increased lung function and reduced severe exacerbations in patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma irrespective of baseline eosinophil count and had a favourable safety profile, and hence in addition to inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting ß2-agonist therapy could improve the lives of patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma compared with standard therapy alone. FUNDING: Sanofi-Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Impact of atopic dermatitis on health-related quality of life and productivity in adults in the United States: An analysis using the National Health and Wellness Survey.

BACKGROUND: Given its public health impact, there is need for broad and representative data on the humanistic burden of atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVE: To establish the humanistic burden of AD in US adults. METHODS: Data were from the 2013 US National Health and Wellness Survey; AD self-reports were propensity-matched with non-AD controls and with psoriasis controls. Bivariate analyses were conducted on burden outcomes between the AD and control groups. RESULTS: Demographics and baseline characteristics were comparable between matched groups. Subjects with AD (n = 349) versus non-AD controls (n = 698) had significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders (29.8%, 31.2%, and 33.2% vs 16.1%, 17.3%, and 19.2%, respectively [all P < .001]); a lower Short Form-36 v2 mental component summary score (44.5 vs 48.0, respectively [P < .001]); a lower physical component summary score (47.6 vs 49.5, respectively [P = .004]), and lower health utilities (0.67 vs 0.72, respectively [P < .001]) in addition to a higher work absenteeism rate (9.9% vs 3.6%, respectively [P < .001]) and activity impairment rate (33.6% vs 25.2%, respectively [P < .001]). Subjects with AD and psoriasis controls (n = 260 each) showed similar impairment in health-related quality of life and productivity. LIMITATIONS: Data were self-reported. CONCLUSION: AD is associated with a substantial humanistic burden that is similar in magnitude to that of psoriasis, which is also recognized for its debilitating symptoms, indicating the need for more effective treatments for AD.

Patient burden of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD): Insights from a phase 2b clinical trial of dupilumab in adults.

BACKGROUND: The adult burden of atopic dermatitis (AD) is poorly characterized. OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize AD burden in adults with moderate to severe disease from the patient's perspective. METHODS: Patient-reported outcomes collected at screening in a phase 2b clinical trial of dupilumab included pruritus numeric rating scale, 5-Dimension Pruritus Scale, subjective components of SCORing AD, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and 5-Dimension EuroQol. RESULTS: Most of the 380 patients had been living with AD for nearly all their lives, whereas approximately 40% were given a diagnosis as adults; 40.3% had asthma and 60.5% had other allergic conditions. Despite 48.2% of patients using systemic therapies in the past year, patients reported problems with itch frequency (85% of patients), duration (41.5% reported itching ≥18 h/d), and severity (6.5 of 10 on numeric rating scale); 55% reported AD-related sleep disturbances 5 d/wk or more. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores suggesting clinically relevant anxiety or depression were reported by 21.8% of patients. Quality of life was impaired on Dermatology Life Quality Index and 5-dimension EuroQol. LIMITATIONS: This study had limited generalizability; conclusions may not reflect those with mild AD or not participating in a clinical trial. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with moderate to severe AD report multidimensional burden including disease activity, patient-reported symptoms, comorbidities, and quality-of-life impact.