Why carry out this study?

Although the two predominant helper T-cell subsets, Th2 and Th22, are recognized across major atopic dermatitis (AD) subtypes, some research findings suggest that AD may be a multi-axis immune disease with involvement of the Th2, Th22, and potentially Th17 pathways, supporting the use of interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-22 blockade in AD.

This proof-of-concept study compared the efficacy and safety of risankizumab, an IL-23 inhibitor, versus placebo for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD in adult and adolescent patients.

What was learned from the study?

Although risankizumab was generally well tolerated, the proportion of patients achieving the primary endpoint, a 75% reduction from baseline in EASI (EASI 75) at week 16 with risankizumab 150 mg or 300 mg was not significantly different from placebo.

Findings from this study as well as those from a previous secukinumab phase 2 AD trial suggest that IL-17/IL-23 blockade is not clinically effective in AD.