Target-oriented therapy: Emerging drugs for atopic dermatitis

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a life-time prevalence of 10 - 20% in western countries. Patients suffer from stigmatizing eczematous skin lesions, persisting itch and sleep disorders. Starting usually in early childhood the course of AD is heterogeneous. While most frequently AD disappears before adolescence, about 30% of patients show a chronic persisting course. There is an urgent need for new therapeutic options as until now, specific drugs are missing. Areas covered: Over the last years research has made enormous progress in understanding mechanisms involved in AD pathogenesis. Th2 cells and their key cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 as well as TSLP, CRTH2 and IgE are targets for new compounds currently being tested in clinical trials. This review highlights new drugs for AD at all stages of development as well as current promising scientific approaches. Expert opinion: After decades of silence the market for AD drugs has recently become highly active. Amongst all new compounds, dupilumab - an antibody directed against IL-4 and IL-13 receptors - is the most advanced candidate showing convincing efficacy in several phase III studies. The availability of specific drugs for AD will open up a new era in dermatological therapy.