Immunology
Understanding Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes excessively dry, itchy skin that can be painful.
People with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis experience chronic symptoms, intensified by unpredictable flare-ups that can be painful and disruptive to everyday life.
More than half of these patients report severe itching, leading to repeated scratching which can cause the skin to thicken and become vulnerable to infection.
Atopic dermatitis (all severities) affects 15-20% of children and up to 10% of adults.
T-cell imbalance is a root cause of atopic dermatitis, contributing to clinical manifestations including the disease’s recurring, unpredictable symptoms.
Role of T Cells
T cells are white blood cells that play an essential role in the immune system. However, in people with atopic dermatitis, T cells play a major role in the disease, triggering an overactive immune response that causes blood vessels to dilate, leak and attract even more immune cells to the area. The result is lesions on the surface of the skin, making it dry, itchy and much more prone to damage and infection.
Targeting OX40 for Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis
This inflammatory cycle initiated and perpetuated by T cells is one of the reasons moderate to severe atopic dermatitis can be so challenging to treat. However, new research has shown that targeting and inhibiting a particular receptor expressed on pathogenic T cells, called OX40, may help impact this cycle.
Patient Stories
Jiwon’s Atopic Dermatitis Experience
Meet Jiwon, who shares how Atopic Dermatitis has impacted her, and articulates her hope for the future.
Videos
View our video playlist to see how we are Collaborating to Address Unmet Need in Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis
