Atopic dermatitis affects about 10% of adults and 25% of children, causing itchy, inflamed skin that can disrupt sleep and daily life. Treatment now includes biologics and JAK inhibitors that target specific immune pathways, a major shift from relying mainly on steroids and moisturizers. Many people with moderate to severe disease can achieve clear or nearly clear skin.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing oral JAK inhibitors as alternatives to injections, new biologics targeting different immune signals like OX40 and IL-13, and topical treatments that work locally without affecting the whole immune system. Researchers are also studying the skin microbiome, testing whether changing the balance of bacteria can reduce inflammation and prevent flares.
Oral JAK inhibitors
Pills like upadacitinib and abrocitinib block JAK enzymes that drive inflammation, offering an alternative to injectable biologics. Studies are comparing them head-to-head with dupilumab and testing them in children.
Targeted biologics
Beyond dupilumab, newer biologics are targeting OX40, IL-13 alone, and other immune signals. Early results suggest some may work faster or in people who don't respond to current options.
Microbiome treatments
Creams containing specific bacteria strains and drugs that alter skin microbes are being tested. The goal is to restore a healthier mix of skin bacteria that may prevent inflammation.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on disease severity (measured by body surface area affected and itch scores), whether topical steroids have failed, and sometimes biomarkers like IgE levels.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing new biologics, JAK inhibitors, or other systemic drugs against placebo or active comparators like dupilumab to see which work best for moderate to severe disease.
- Topical trials — Testing creams and ointments with new mechanisms, including JAK inhibitors and other targeted molecules that work on the skin without entering the bloodstream.
- Pediatric trials — Testing treatments specifically in children and adolescents, often at lower doses or different formulations than adults use.
- Microbiome studies — Testing bacteria-based creams or therapies that alter the skin's microbial balance to reduce flares.
- Long-term extension studies — Following people who completed a trial to see how well treatments work and how safe they are over years of use.
Recently added Atopic Dermatitis trials
Digital Mindfulness Meditation in Adolescents With Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is well reported to have a significant impact on well-being in adolescents with atopic dermatitis, without clear recommendations for intervention. The investigators aim to identify an accessible, effective digital health intervention for these patients. The investigators hypothesize that regular use of a digital mindfulness meditation app will improve disease control and quality of life in adolescents with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis based on validated survey measures.
An Observational Study of Patients With Dermatologic Disease
TARGET-DERM+ is an observational research study to conduct a comprehensive review of outcomes for patients with dermatologic disease (DD) and providers who treat these patients. The study includes patients managed for DD of any etiology in usual clinical practice in the United States and addresses important clinical questions regarding the management of DD by collecting and analyzing data from patients at academic medical centers and community medical practices and/or data from providers who treat them.
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