Contemporary treatments for atopic dermatitis and the dawn of targeted biological therapies

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is the most common form of eczema and is seen by healthcare professionals (HCPs) almost daily. It is a chronic, systemic condition characterised by immune dysregulation (type 2 inflammation), epidermal barrier dysfunction, intense pruritis, recurrent eczematous lesions, and presents with a relapsing, remitting course.1,2 The pathophysiology of AD is multifactorial, involving a genetic hypersensitivity predisposition to environmental factors.1 Although not diagnostic, the disease is often associated with increased IgE levels and commonly occurs alongside other atopic conditions such as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma and/or food allergies.2 The morphology and location of AD is considered characteristic for different ages: in infants, lesions tellingly manifest on the cheeks while usually sparing the perioral, perinasal and nappy area. With increasing age, lesions may present on extensor surfaces and classically in flexural folds (commonly the cubital and popliteal fossae), but may readily include the hands, wrists and ankles, head and neck as well as the trunk and shoulders.1,3 That being said, the clinical features in adults are highly variable.