EFFICACY OF NEMOLIZUMAB FOR PATIENTS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE ATOPIC DERMATITIS: A META-ANALYSIS

Hà Văn Tân; Bùi Thị Xuân Mai; Vũ Thị Tường Vân; Lã Trọng Quyền; Trần Thu Phương

doi:10.34238/tnu-jst.11764

EFFICACY OF NEMOLIZUMAB FOR PATIENTS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE ATOPIC DERMATITIS: A META-ANALYSIS

About this article

Received: 25/12/24 Revised: 10/06/25 Published: 11/06/25

Authors

1. Ha Van Tan , Spa Vitoria
2. Bui Thi Xuan Mai, Mbclinic
3. Vu Thi Tuong Van, Bac Giang Rehabilitation Hospital
4. La Trong Quyen, Hai Ba Trung Health Centre
5. Tran Thu Phuong, Thanh Tri Health Centre

Abstract

Nemolizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-31 (IL-31) receptors, is a promising treatment for atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting 15–20% of children and 1–7% of adults, characterized by intense pruritus, erythema, and lichenification, significantly impacting quality of life and psychological well-being. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of nemolizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. We searched PubMed from January 2020 to 18 December 2024, selecting 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on PRISMA guidelines, focusing on double-blind studies reporting Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) outcomes. The primary outcome was relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), analyzed using R 4.4.2 with the “meta” package. Nemolizumab showed a higher symptom improvement rate than placebo (RR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.74–0.83, fixed-effects; RR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.68–0.82, random-effects; I² = 45%, reflecting moderate heterogeneity due to varying sample sizes, dosages, and follow-up durations). The random-effects model indicated a 25% versus 21% itch reduction. Adverse effects were mild, with rates of 21.8% (nemolizumab) versus 22.4% (placebo), confirming clinical safety. Limitations include moderate heterogeneity, reliance on PubMed, and limited long-term data. Nemolizumab offers significant potential for managing atopic dermatitis, warranting further research.

Keywords

Nemolizumab; Atopic dermatitis; Moderate-to-severe; Pruritus; Meta-analysis; Treatment efficacy

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.34238/tnu-jst.11764

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