Breakthroughs in atopic dermatitis are redefining treatment from the inside out. Discover how new data on race, microbes, and patient preferences are transforming the way we think about AD.
In the past several years, atopic dermatitis as a disease entity has experienced a renaissance in terms of our understanding of the disease, our available treatment options, and our ability to tailor treatments to specific patients.
One of the most prolific changes has been the understanding of how atopic dermatitis (AD) impacts different racial groups and ethnicities. While dupilumab has been a staple of AD treatment, Guttman-Yassky et al examined how efficacious it is for different racial groups. Specifically, they analyzed the improvement in lichenification, which is often a signal of both severity of disease as well as factor that hampers quality of life. Beyond dupilumab, numerous systemic and topical agents are either in clinical trials or already available, expanding the therapeutic landscape. With this influx of treatments come clinical trials, Kabakova et al studied the racial breakdown of patients in clinical trials over a 5-year period with interesting results regarding the trends in different demographics in AD trials.
There has been a proliferation of AD treatments encompassing biologics, systemic agents, and topical medications. However, the most important question when starting an AD patient on a medication is if they will continue it. To answer this, Pedroza et al analyzed patient preferences to determine which factors are most important to AD patients seeking treatment. For many patients who are weary of systemic medications, topical treatment is a great option. Eichenfeld et al compared the various available topical treatments with traditional corticosteroids and other conventional options.
Our understanding of AD pathophysiology has also evolved. From a pathophysiologic perspective, Schachner et al discussed the role of Staphylococcus aureus on disease severity and progression. They also use this understanding to further explore the role of the microbiome and microbial dysbiosis on AD severity and flares. From quality-of-life perspective, Lio et al detail the impact of the disease on patients. Those who regularly treat patients with AD know how debilitating it is to patients. This study further details which lesions are typically most bothersome to patients and how to best care for them.
While there is much to explore in the realm of atopic dermatitis, the future is bright given the rapid progression of treatments and our understanding of the disease.
Interested in reading more? Check out the referenced articles:
Guttman-Yassky E, Katoh N, Cork M, Jagdeo J, Alexis A, Chen Z, Levit N, Rossi A. Dupilumab Treatment Improves Lichenification in Atopic Dermatitis in Different Age and Racial Groups. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025 Feb 1;24(2):167-173. doi: 10.36849/JDD.85852. PMID: 39913228.
Pedroza ST, Donnelly IB, Chandy RJ, Feldman SR. Assessing Patient Preferences for Atopic Dermatitis Treatment: A Review Article of Discrete Choice Experiments. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024 Oct 1;23(10):847-851. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2024.8056. PMID: 39361693.
Kabakova M, Wang JY, Patel P, Zafar K, Bitterman D, Jagdeo J. Racial and Ethnic Representation in Atopic Dermatitis Clinical Trials. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025 Apr 1;24(4):360-364. doi: 10.36849/JDD.8705. PMID: 40196950.
Lio PA, Wollenberg A, Thyssen JP, Pierce EJ, Rueda MJ, DeLozier AM, Ross Terres JA, Anderson P, Milligan G, Piercy J, Silverberg JI, Paul C. Impact of Atopic Dermatitis Lesion Location on Quality of Life in Adult Patients in a Real-world Study. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Oct 1;19(10):943-948. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2020.5422. PMID: 33026770.
Eichenfield LF, Luger T, Papp K, Silverberg JI, Sierka D, Zang C, Tallman AM, Zielinski MA, Ports WC. Topical Agents for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Jan 1;19(1):50-64. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2020.4508. PMID: 31985912.
Schachner LA, Andriessen A, Gonzalez ME, Lal K, Hebert AA, Eichenfield LF, Lio P. A Consensus on Staphylococcus aureus Exacerbated Atopic Dermatitis and the Need for a Novel Treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024 Oct 1;23(10):825-832. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2024.8240. PMID: 39361702.
