What the trial was testing
The trial enrolled 54 patients with atopic dermatitis. The study was sponsored by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was an early-stage trial — researchers are still confirming safety and getting an early look at how well the treatment works. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
The treatment reduced harmful bacteria on the skin and was safe with fewer eczema-related side effects.
Nature medicine · 2021 · NCT03151148
These findings — that people who got the bacteria treatment had fewer eczema-related problems — were published in the Nature medicine and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 54 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with atopic dermatitis, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This was an early-stage study and the treatment is not yet FDA-approved. The bacteria therapy showed promise by fighting the germs that worsen eczema, but larger studies are needed. Ask your doctor about open trials or related approved options for managing atopic dermatitis.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open atopic dermatitis trials
Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of BioAmicus Complete
This is a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of the dietary supplement BioAmicus Complete (oral drops; a mixture of 10 strains of lacto- and bifidobacteria) in managing functional gastrointestinal disorders and cutaneous symptoms of food allergy in infants during the first months of life. The aim of the study is to assess clinical effects of BioAmicus Complete drops on the symptoms of infantile colic, constipation, diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux, atopic dermatitis/eczema in full-term newborns during the first months of life. A prospective study comparing two treatment groups: Group 1 (treatment group) - 70 infants. Group 2 (control group) - 70 infants, placebo. The study drug will be taken in 1 time per day within 25 days. Allowed symptomatic therapy includes defoamers (simethicone-based preparations), carminative preparations (dill water (fenhel)), etc.
A 3-part Study of SYX-5219 in Healthy Volunteers and Participants With Atopic Dermatitis
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the study drug, SYX-5219, in a multi-part First-in-Human (FiH) study to be conducted in healthy volunteers and participants with Atopic Dermatitis (AD). The objectives of this study are to determine the safety, tolerability and levels of SYX-5219 in the blood and urine when SYX-5219 is given in each part of the study (SAD, MAD, Food Effect and Participants with AD). The study will be split into up to 3 parts as follows: * Part 1 - Single Ascending Dose (SAD) and Food Effect in healthy volunteers * Part 2 - Multiple Ascending Dose (MAD) in healthy volunteers * Part 3 - Multiple Dose in Participants with AD - enrolling up to 45 males and females with a confirmed diagnosis of AD of at least 6 months, evaluating multiple dose administrations of SYX-5219 or placebo daily over a period of 42 days.