Experimental drug to help get rid of eczema

The interleukin 33 protein is an important component of the immune system. It serves as a kind of signaling that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. However, excessive production of interleukin 33 is associated with autoimmune diseases such as eczema, asthma, and allergies.

An international team of researchers devoted ten years to finding a compound that would inhibit the activity of interleukin 33. The result was an experimental drug, Etokimab, Hightech + reported.

At an early stage of clinical trials, Etokimab was tested in 12 patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Four weeks after a single intravenous administration of the drug, a decrease in symptoms of at least 50% was observed in all participants. This effect persisted two months after the procedure for most participants.

A few days after receiving Etokimab, the researchers injected participants with a subcutaneous allergen to study their inflammatory response. The experiment showed that the drug really suppresses immune activity - primarily the concentration of neutrophils.

Now the results to be confirmed in the course of larger and placebo-controlled studies. In addition, Etokimab is being tested as a means of combating another autoimmune disease - eosinophilic asthma.