Biologic Treatments in Adolescents With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Literature Review and Network Meta-analysis.
Kevin H Li, Emily K Duffy, Jonathan Luong et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic literature review and Bayesian network meta-analysis compared biologic therapies for adolescents aged 12 to 17 with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Four double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trials of dupilumab, lebrikizumab, and tralokinumab included 642 participants. At week 16, dupilumab 200/300 mg every 2 weeks had the largest estimated effects versus placebo for EASI-75 (RR: 5.2; 95% CrI: 2.6, 12.0) and IGA 0/1 (RR: 12.0; 95% CrI: 3.3, 78.0). However, the analysis found no differences between treatments, and certainty of evidence was low.
Key findings
- Four trials of three biologics, involving 642 adolescents, were included in the network meta-analysis.
- Dupilumab 200/300 mg every 2 weeks had the largest estimated effect versus placebo for EASI-75 (RR: 5.2; 95% CrI: 2.6, 12.0).
- For IGA 0/1, dupilumab 200/300 mg every 2 weeks had an RR of 12.0 versus placebo (95% CrI: 3.3, 78.0).
- No differences between treatments were found; certainty of evidence was low.
Why it matters
The analysis brings together trial evidence on biologics for adolescents, a population in which comparative efficacy and safety had not been explored in this way. Although dupilumab had the largest estimated effects against placebo, the low certainty and absence of demonstrated differences between treatments mean the comparative rankings should be interpreted cautiously.
What to keep in mind
The network meta-analysis included only four trials and 642 participants, and the certainty of evidence was low.