Poster Presentation Australasian Society for Dermatology Research Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Safety and Efficacy of Biologic Drugs in Children or Adolescents with Atopic Dermatitis: A meta-analysis (#130)

Ana Clara E. F. SANTOS 1 , Lorhayne K. C. SCALIONI GALVAO 2 , Fernanda V. ZAMORA 2 , Nicole S. PIMENTA 3 , João Pedro C. E. A. SALLES 3 , Kélen K. HEFFEL 4
  1. School of Pharmacy, City University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
  2. Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
  3. Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of the State of do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
  4. Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil

Background: Children and adolescents suffering from moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) face a significant disease burden that greatly impacts their quality of life. Treatment options for AD are currently limited.


Objectives: To assess the safety and efficacy of biologic drugs, dupilumab, lebrikizumab, or tralokinumab, in improving outcomes in patients with moderate to severe inadequately controlled AD.


Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing dupilumab, lebrikizumab or tralokinumab to placebo in patients with AD. We computed odds ratios (ORs) for binary endpoints, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), random effects model was used and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. We analyzed data in Review Manager 5.4.


Results: A total of five RCTs and 973 patients were included, of whom 592 were prescribed a biologic drug. Compared with placebo, patients receiving a biologic drug had a greater improvement, achieved an Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 or 1 (OR 5.05; 95% CI 3.08-8.29), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) 75 (OR 6.87; 95% CI 4.71-10.02), EASI 50 EASI 50 (OR 8.89; 95% CI 6.18-12.78) and EASI 90 (8.30; 95% CI 4.81-14.31). The proportion of patients with 3 points or more (OR 6.56; 95% CI 4.34-9.90) or 4 points or more (OR 8.09; 95% CI 5.19- 12.59) improvement from baseline in peak pruritus NRS was significantly higher with biologic drugs than placebo. There were no significant differences between groups regarding adverse events (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.58-1.07), and conjunctivitis (OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.00- 4.33).


Conclusion: In this meta-analysis, dupilumab, lebrikizumab, and tralokinumab have shown significant improvements in signs, symptoms and quality of life in children or adolescents with moderate to severe AD. Larger studies may be needed to continue evaluating the safety and efficacy of these biologic drugs in this patient population.

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