With both biologics and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors available to treat atopic dermatitis, providers have more options for patients, said Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD, FAAD, of Mount Sinai.
This content was produced independently by The American Journal of Managed Care® and is not endorsed by the American Academy of Dermatology.
With both biologics and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors available to treat atopic dermatitis, providers have more options for patients, said Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD, FAAD, the Waldman Professor and System Chair of Dermatology and Immunology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the director of the Center for Excellence in Eczema and the Occupational Dermatitis Clinic, and director of the Laboratory for Inflammatory Skin Diseases.
Guttman-Yassky presented on new developments in atopic dermatitis at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Transcripts
There are a handful of biologics and Janus kinase inhibitors approved now for atopic dermatitis. What are the pros and cons with each of these agents?
First of all, we like to have options for our patients, because always there will be patients that will not mind an injectable or even prefer to take something once every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks. But then there are patients that will say, “Doctor, no matter what I only want an oral.” I think we want options for our patients.
Generally speaking, of course, biologics are more specific, because they target one immune molecule, and that's why in terms of a safety, usually, it's a little bit better because it's less broad. JAK inhibitors, they're still safe, but they are more broad. The more broad you are, of course, you will hit some things—that's the general rule. With that being said, the JAK inhibitors also showed good safety over time. Some of them have 3 and 4 years of safety, and also some of them have been tried in arthritis. So, we have that bulk of safety [data] as well. Some of them are new to dermatology.
Overall, we see a good in good safety. In particular, the diseases we are dealing with—atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata—these are younger patient populations. That's another thing to talk about.
It's exciting times, I think, in general in the field of atopic dermatitis, and also other diseases like alopecia areata, vitiligo, and so on, because we finally have new treatments. In atopic dermatitis in particularly, we are super excited: we have biologics, we have small molecules, we have topicals for the disease. So super exciting times. And finally, doctors and patients have options.
Have you found payer coverage to be more favorable to one or the other?
Of course, with dupilumab, because payers have experience, it's easier to approve. It's already been a while. The newer the agent, you have some struggles in the beginning, but we managed to overcome it. Sometimes you need to apply a few times, there are some prior authorizations, and our staff gets used to it. I guess, for an academic institution, it's a little bit easier. We have people doing these.
T-Cell Exhaustion in CLL: Allogeneic CAR T Trial Reaching Patients With Unmet Need
April 30th 2024"Off the shelf" CAR T-cell therapies could offer a solution in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, where T-cell exhaustion creates treatment challenges. This article will appear in the May 2024 issue of Evidence-Based Oncology.
Read More
Examining Low-Value Cancer Care Trends Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 25th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the April 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on the rates of low-value cancer care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Listen
Virtual Reality and Biofeedback Training Appear Effective for DMD, BMD Rehabilitation
April 29th 2024A recent study suggests virtual reality and biofeedback training may be feasible and effective for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).
Read More
Empowering Community Health Through Wellness and Faith
April 23rd 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In the third episode, Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, MS, CHES, CPT, discusses approaching community health holistically through spiritual and community engagement.
Listen
UK Study: Most Patients With MG Require Hospitalization, Driving Health Care Resource Use
April 27th 2024Over a median follow-up time of nearly 3 years, three-fourths (72.8%) of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) were hospitalized and half visited the accident and emergency department.
Read More