Researchers behind a new study on the atopic dermatitis drug “dupilumab” (which is currently in trials) say that they have proven that this form of eczema is an autoimmune disease. The potential atopic dermatitis medication blocks the activity of two key immune proteins, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), and, according to the researchers, can reverse the immune response within an allergic individual that causes the atopic dermatitis skin problems. Interleukins reportedly increase a person’s ability to fight off bacteria and viruses, but for some allergy suffers with this autoimmune disease, these proteins can also see their own body’s tissue as something to fight.
Atopic dermatitis is a very common disease affecting both sexes and possibly as high as 30 percent of the population of the United States. It is more common in children, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, which states that atopic dermatitis (also referred to as “AD”) is a chronic skin disease which results in papules that become itchy, inflamed and often infected. Eventually, the areas of the skin affected become thick and rough or what’s referred to as “lichenified.” Atopic dermatitis researchers are learning more about the disease constantly.
An article on Dermatology Online Journal explains why scientists have been hesitant to categorizing atopic dermatitis and other atopic diseases as autoimmune diseases.
“Atopic dermatitis (AD) has a Th2 (T-helper 2) immune-reactivity pattern. However, the majority of systemic autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus show a Th1 (T-helper 1) reactivity pattern”
Meanwhile, an article on Medscape explains why atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is not easily categorized as a simple allergy either.
“Atopic dermatitis is characterized by two phases: an initial phase with acute lesions, predominated by T helper cell type 2 (Th2) cytokines followed by a second Th1-dominated phase that is associated with eczematous chronic atopic dermatitis lesions. In this regard, atopic dermatitis is different from other forms of acute allergic manifestations, as it exhibits a mixture of type I and type IV-like hypersensitivity reactions.”
Animal studies done on dogs have shown that it can be food allergy connected. Researchers published findings on how to best create an allergy in a potentially atopic canine in the Journal of Clinical Immunology.
“Eleven dogs were sensitized subcutaneously by using an established protocol with 1 microg each of peanut, English walnut, or Brazil nut protein extracts in alum first at birth and then after modified live virus vaccinations at 3, 7, and 11 weeks of age. The dogs were sensitized to other allergens, including soy and either wheat or barley.”
The promising new atopic dermatitis drug study was led by associate professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York Dr. Emma Guttman-Yassky. In the study, people who suffered from moderate or severe atopic dermatitis were treated with either 150 mg or 300 mg of dupilumab for four weeks. Healthline reported the results of the AD study.
“People who were treated with 150 milligrams or 300 milligrams of dupilumab over four weeks had less expression of genes that are usually over-expressed in AD. They also had greater expression of genes that are usually under-expressed in AD, compared to people who were treated with a placebo. Guttman-Yassky’s study shows that abnormalities in the skin and the immune system in people with atopic dermatitis can be reversed by drugs that target just IL-4 and IL-13.”
Though the Healthline article explained, “Most importantly, their skin cleared up,” that effect was actually not noted in the text of the actual study about the atopic dermatitis drug, but Healthline reportedly did conduct interviews on the topic. Director of dermatology at the University of Kansas Hospital Dr. Daniel Aires thought the new atopic dermatitis drug was very promising for sufferers of this autoimmune disease, but noted that “longer term studies and aftermarket evaluation will be needed to assess longer term safety issues.”
[Photo via Jambula]
New Study On ‘Breakthrough’ Atopic Dermatitis Drug Indicates ‘Eczema Is An Autoimmune Disease’ is an article from: The Inquisitr News
0 comments :
Post a Comment