Primary (week 16) results from the ongoing phase 3, double-blind AD Up study (NCT03568318) demonstrate a positive benefit–risk profile for upadacitinib + topical corticosteroid (TCS) in patients with ...moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
We evaluated the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib + TCS through 52 weeks.
Patients aged 12 to 75 years with chronic moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (≥10% of body surface area affected, Eczema Area and Severity Index EASI ≥16, Validated Investigator’s Global Assessment for atopic dermatitis vIGA-AD ≥3, and Worst Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale WP-NRS score ≥4) were randomized 1:1:1 to once-daily upadacitinib 15 mg + TCS, upadacitinib 30 mg + TCS, or placebo (PBO) + TCS (rerandomized at week 16 to upadacitinib + TCS). Safety and efficacy, including proportion of patients experiencing ≥75% improvement in EASI (EASI-75), vIGA-AD of clear/almost clear with improvement ≥2 grades (vIGA-AD 0/1), and WP-NRS improvement ≥4, were assessed through week 52. Missing data were primarily handled by nonresponse imputation incorporating multiple imputation for missing values due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Of 901 patients, 300 were randomized to upadacitinib 15 mg + TCS, 297 to upadacitinib 30 mg + TCS, and 304 to PBO + TCS. For all end points, efficacy for upadacitinib 15 mg + TCS and upadacitinib 30 mg + TCS at week 16 was maintained through week 52. At week 52, the proportions of patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg + TCS and upadacitinib 30 mg + TCS who experienced EASI-75 were 50.8% and 69.0%, respectively; 33.5% and 45.2%, respectively, experienced vIGA-AD 0/1; and 45.3% and 57.5%, respectively, experienced WP-NRS improvement ≥4. Upadacitinib + TCS was well tolerated through 52 weeks; no new important safety risks beyond the current label were observed. No deaths were reported; major adverse cardiovascular events and venous thromboembolic events were infrequent (≤0.2/100 patient-years).
Results through 52 weeks demonstrate long-term maintenance of efficacy and a favorable safety profile of upadacitinib + TCS in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.
Summary Background Data from early-stage studies suggested that interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 are requisite drivers of atopic dermatitis, evidenced by marked improvement after treatment with ...dupilumab, a fully-human monoclonal antibody that blocks both pathways. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of several dose regimens of dupilumab in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis inadequately controlled by topical treatments. Methods In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, we enrolled patients aged 18 years or older who had an Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score of 12 or higher at screening (≥16 at baseline) and inadequate response to topical treatments from 91 study centres, including hospitals, clinics, and academic institutions, in Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Poland, and the USA. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1:1), stratified by severity (moderate or severe, as assessed by Investigator's Global Assessment) and region (Japan vs rest of world) to receive subcutaneous dupilumab: 300 mg once a week, 300 mg every 2 weeks, 200 mg every 2 weeks, 300 mg every 4 weeks, 100 mg every 4 weeks, or placebo once a week for 16 weeks. We used a central randomisation scheme, provided by an interactive voice response system. Drug kits were coded, providing masking to treatment assignment, and allocation was concealed. Patients on treatment every 2 weeks and every 4 weeks received volume-matched placebo every week when dupilumab was not given to ensure double blinding. The primary outcome was efficacy of dupilumab dose regimens based on EASI score least-squares mean percentage change (SE) from baseline to week 16. Analyses included all randomly assigned patients who received one or more doses of study drug. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT01859988. Findings Between May 15, 2013, and Jan 27, 2014, 452 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 380 patients were randomly assigned. 379 patients received one or more doses of study drug (300 mg once a week n=63, 300 mg every 2 weeks n=64, 200 mg every 2 weeks n=61, 300 mg every 4 weeks n=65, 100 mg every 4 weeks n=65; placebo n=61). EASI score improvements favoured all dupilumab regimens versus placebo (p<0·0001): 300 mg once a week (−74% SE 5·16), 300 mg every 2 weeks (−68% 5·12), 200 mg every 2 weeks (−65% 5·19), 300 mg every 4 weeks (−64% 4·94), 100 mg every 4 weeks (−45% 4·99); placebo (−18% 5·20). 258 (81%) of 318 patients given dupilumab and 49 (80%) of 61 patients given placebo reported treatment-emergent adverse events; nasopharyngitis was the most frequent (28% and 26%, respectively). Interpretation Dupilumab improved clinical responses in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in a dose-dependent manner, without significant safety concerns. Our findings show that IL-4 and IL-13 are key drivers of atopic dermatitis. Funding Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
Background Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with substantial patient burden despite current therapies. Objective We sought to evaluate dupilumab treatment on patient-reported ...outcomes in adults with moderate to severe AD. Methods Adults (N = 380) with moderate to severe AD inadequately controlled by topical medications were randomized to 16 weeks of double-blind, subcutaneous treatment with dupilumab 100 mg every 4 weeks, 200 mg every 2 weeks, 300 mg every 2 weeks, 300 mg once weekly, or placebo. Patient-reported outcomes included pruritus numeric rating scale; patient-reported sleep item on Scoring AD scale; Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Dermatology Life Quality Index; and 5-dimension 3-level EuroQol. Results Dupilumab reduced peak itch at 16 weeks relative to placebo by 1.1 to 3.2 points on numeric rating scale ( P < .0001 all doses, except 100 mg every 4 weeks P < .05); improved sleep and health-related quality of life on Dermatology Life Quality Index and 5-dimension 3-level EuroQol ( P < .05 all doses, except 100 mg every 4 weeks); and reduced anxiety and depression symptoms ( P < .05 all doses). Dupilumab's effects appeared early and achieved clinically relevant improvements without significant safety concerns. Limitations There are potential cultural differences affecting patient-reported outcome responses. Outcomes were secondary or exploratory end points. Conclusion Dupilumab produced early and sustained patient-reported and clinically relevant improvements in sleep, mental health, and health-related quality of life; the two 300-mg dose regimens resulted in greatest benefits.
H1-antihistamines (H1AH) are the first-line treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), but 50% of patients have inadequate disease control at standard doses.
To assess the comorbidity burden ...and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) associated with non-response to H1AH-based treatments; to identify predictors of non-response.
Optum® de-identified Electronic Health Record dataset (2007-2020) was used to identify adult patients with CSU who initiated a H1AH, alone or in combination with other oral non-biologics (index treatment). Based on twelve-month treatment patterns observed after index treatment initiation, patients were categorized as responders (continued index treatment or had only 1 next H1AH treatment without corticosteroids) or non-responders (continued corticosteroids or had 2 or more treatment switches). Patient characteristics and HRU were assessed in the 12 months before (baseline) and ≥12 months after (follow-up) index treatment initiation. Baseline predictors associated with non-response were identified using machine learning.
There were 17 062 patients who met inclusion criteria, and 14824 (86.9%) were classified as non-responders. A higher proportion of non-responders had records of CSU-related symptoms, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and certain laboratory tests than responders at baseline. A higher proportion of non-responders than responders visited an allergist or dermatologist during follow-up (59.5% vs 53.0%). Non-responders had a larger increase in hospitalizations (15.7% vs -2.4%) than responders during follow-up vs baseline. Predictors of non-response included index and baseline treatment classes, types of specialists seen, chronic pulmonary disease, depression, and female sex.
A large proportion of CSU patients treated with H1AH-based therapies had uncontrolled disease, contributing to increased HRU and patient burden. Non-responders had more comorbidities and HRU at baseline and follow-up, with steep increases in follow-up hospitalizations relative to baseline, highlighting an urgent need for early disease control.
Disease burden is particularly high in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) patients with angioedema, and patients whose signs and symptoms are inadequately controlled by H1-antihistamines need new ...treatment options. Here we report an exploratory analysis, from the ligelizumab Phase 2b study, investigating angioedema occurrence in patients with CSU and describe the changes in angioedema following treatment with ligelizumab, omalizumab, or placebo.
Data from the ligelizumab Phase 2b core (ligelizumab 72 mg, 240 mg, omalizumab 300 mg and placebo) and extension study (ligelizumab 240 mg) were used. Changes in Weekly Angioedema Activity Score (AAS7), the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and Weekly Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) among each time point were analyzed for each treatment arm.
From a total of 297 patients analyzed, 165 (55.6%) reported angioedema occurrence at baseline, with mean AAS7 ranging 30.6—42.2 across treatment arms. At Week 12 of the core study 87.5%, 84.6%, 75.0%, and 61.0% of patients were angioedema free for ligelizumab 72 mg, 240 mg, omalizumab 300 mg, and placebo arms, respectively. In CSU patients with angioedema at baseline, the largest change from baseline in AAS7 score was observed with ligelizumab 72 mg (−31.9) at week 16 in the core study. Patients with angioedema had a higher mean DLQI at baseline (14.9—16.1) vs. patients without angioedema (10.6—12.0). In patients with angioedema, low AAS7 was significantly associated with complete response on UAS7 (UAS7 = 0) and complete normalization of DLQI (DLQI 0—1).
In the Phase 2b study, ligelizumab effectively reduced angioedema and urticaria symptoms, and improved health related quality of life in patients with moderate-to-severe CSU.
NCT02477332; NCT02649218.
Duration-adjusted analyses showed 420.4 adverse events (AEs)/100 patient-years (100PY), 8.5 serious AEs/100PY, 27 (1.8%) treatment discontinuations due to AEs, and no deaths; most common AEs ...(preferred term): nasopharyngitis (20.5%), upper respiratory tract infection (9.5%), exacerbation of AD (8.2%); conjunctivitis AEs (all etiologies) occurred in 10.7% of patients.
Systemic therapies are typically combined with topical corticosteroids for the management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Upadacitinib is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor with greater ...inhibitory potency for JAK1 than JAK2, JAK3, or tyrosine kinase 2 that is being tested for atopic dermatitis. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib plus topical corticosteroids compared with placebo for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial (AD Up) adults (aged 18–75 years) and adolescents (aged 12–17 years) with chronic atopic dermatitis that was moderate to severe (≥10% of body surface area affected, Eczema Area and Severity Index EASI score of ≥16, validated Investigator's Global Assessment for atopic dermatitis vIGA-AD score of ≥3, and weekly average Worst Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale score of ≥4 at baseline) were enrolled at 171 clinical centres across 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Oceania. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive upadacitinib 15 mg, upadacitinib 30 mg, or placebo once daily, all in combination with topical corticosteroids for 16 weeks. Randomisation was done using an interactive response technology system, stratified by baseline disease severity, geographical region, and age. Study investigators, study site personnel, and patients were masked to study treatment. The coprimary endpoints were the proportion of patients who had achieved at least a 75% reduction in EASI score from baseline (EASI-75) and the proportion of patients who had achieved a vIGA-AD response (defined as a vIGA-AD score of 0 clear or 1 almost clear with ≥2 grades of improvement from baseline) at week 16. Efficacy was analysed in the intention-to-treat population and safety was analysed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03568318, and is active, but not recruiting.
Between Aug 9, 2018, and Dec 20, 2019, 901 patients were randomly assigned to receive upadacitinib 15 mg plus topical corticosteroids (n=300), upadacitinib 30 mg plus topical corticosteroids (n=297), or placebo plus topical corticosteroids (n=304). At week 16, the proportion of patients who had achieved EASI-75 was significantly higher in the upadacitinib 15 mg plus topical corticosteroid group (194 65% of 300 patients) and the upadacitinib 30 mg plus topical corticosteroids group (229 77% of 297 patients) than the placebo group (80 26% of 304 patients; adjusted difference in EASI-75 response rate vs placebo, 38·1% 95% CI 30·8–45·4 for the upadacitinib 15 mg group and 50·6% 43·8–57·4 for the upadacitinib 30 mg group; p<0·0001 for both doses). The proportion of patients who had achieved a vIGA-AD response at week 16 was significantly higher in the upadacitinib 15 mg plus topical corticosteroid group (119 40% patients) and upadacitinib 30 mg plus topical corticosteroid group (174 59% patients) than the placebo group (33 11% patients; adjusted difference in vIGA-AD response vs placebo, 28·5% 22·1–34·9 for the upadacitinib 15 mg group and 47·6% 41·1–54·0 for the upadacitinib 30 mg group; p<0·0001 for both doses). During the double-blind period, upadacitinib 15 and 30 mg were well tolerated in combination with topical corticosteroids. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events (≥5% in any treatment group) were acne, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, oral herpes, elevation of blood creatine phosphokinase levels, headache, and atopic dermatitis. The incidence of acne was higher in the upadacitinib 15 mg (30 10% of 300 patients) and upadacitinib 30 mg (41 14% of 297 patients) groups than the placebo group (six 2% of 304 patients). The incidence of adverse events leading to discontinuation of study drug (four 1% patients in the upadacitinib 15 mg plus topical corticosteroids group, four 1% patients in the upadacitinib 30 mg plus topical corticosteroids group, and seven 2% patients in the placebo plus topical corticosteroids group) and serious adverse events (seven 2% patients, four 1% patients, and nine 3% patients) were similar among treatment groups. No deaths were reported in any treatment group.
Upadacitinib plus topical corticosteroids was well tolerated and superior to placebo plus topical corticosteroids. Upadacitinib as combination therapy had a positive benefit–risk profile in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
AbbVie.