Novel treatments for patients with atopic dermatitis
Fascinating new compounds, such as a bispecific antibody and a drug targeting a cofactor in the T-cell response are currently being developed.
‘Atopic dermatitis or eczema has a major impact on patients’ quality of life. Itching has serious consequences such as insomnia and psychological problems,’ says Prof Robert Rissmann, Research Director Dermatology. ‘Fortunately, more and more effective compounds have been developed recently, which represent a significant improvement over existing treatments. Many of these agents act on the immunological cascades that cause eczema. We have contributed to the clinical development of two new compounds with widely different mechanisms of action. These are golden years or even decades for the fields of dermatology and immuno-inflammation.’
Bispecific
The immunological signalling pathways underlying eczema are complex. There are cascades of cytokine signals involved in the initial trigger and in maintaining the pathology. Fundamental research has provided insight into the molecular players in these cascades, identifying potential drug targets. In recent years, drugs for eczema have been developed that are based on the inhibition of different cytokines, including IL-13 and IL-17A/F. ‘They can be effective in some patients, but not yet in everyone. These are important breakthroughs, but there is still room for improvement,’ says Rissmann.
The drug that his team had been investigating is a bispecific antibody that targets both IL-13 and IL-17A/F. Because these cytokines are involved in different immunological cascades, the hypothesis was that the combination will have an even greater impact on eczema. Rissmann: ‘It is an innovative concept that will contribute to better treatment for this debilitating disease. One of the advantages is that we already know these targets in terms of tolerability, safety and efficacy. We presented the promising results in autumn 2025 at various conferences in Paris and New York.’
OX40 ligand
A few years ago, CHDR conducted the first-in-human studies for amlitelimab, an antibody against the OX40 ligand, which is involved in maintaining T-cell-mediated immune responses. Together with the Immunology Group, Rissmann's team applied the Keyhole Limpet Haemocyanin challenge test. This test maps the T-cell response based on the immune response to a (repeated) vaccination with a neoantigen (KLH is a protein from a small crustacean, the Keyhole Limpet). Partly based on the studies at CHDR, Kymab and subsequently Sanofi decided to further develop the compound, and it is now in a phase 3 study in patients with eczema. Rissmann: 'It looks promising, they report a long durability of response, so patients remain symptom-free for a very long time. When I read that, I was proud that we contributed to the clinical development of this drug. It shows that our challenge models in healthy participants can provide substantial added value in identifying clinical effects.'
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