Unmet Need and Patient Burden
The complexity of atopic dermatitis (AD) calls for a new way of thinking1,2
Atopic dermatitis is a heterogeneous disease driven by multiple inflammatory pathways. Patient responses may vary across therapies targeting different inflammatory pathways.3
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Targeting select immune pathways can still leave an unmet need
AD involves multiple inflammatory pathways and diverse T-cell subsets. While many current treatments have made great strides in improving patient outcomes in AD, there still exists an unmet need. Many treatments take an approach of selectively targeting type 2 inflammatory drivers, addressing only part of the immune activity involved in AD.1,3,4
1. Selective cytokine targeting
Many current treatments target select inflammatory drivers and cytokines.3,4
2. Focus on type 2 inflammation
Although AD inflammation involves multiple T‑cell subsets across Th2, Th1, Th17, and Th22 pathways, many therapies primarily target type 2 inflammatory drivers.3
3. Frequent dosing
Maintaining disease stability often depends on frequent and continuous treatment, with signs and symptoms tending to return when treatment stops.1,2
The ongoing burden of managing AD
Persistent immune activity can lead to recurring symptoms, ongoing treatment demands, and meaningful disruptions to daily life. Long-term treatment goals may be more difficult to achieve for some patients.1-5
What looks controlled in the clinic may not reflect a patient’s day‑to‑day experience. Even when symptoms appear controlled, underlying immune activity can contribute to lingering erythema and itch.1,3,5
For many patients, this means structuring routines around uncertainty—adjusting schedules, guarding against triggers, and planning treatment steps in anticipation of what their AD might do next.5,6
At the same time, the practical demands of managing a chronic condition accumulate. Appointments, treatments, daily skin‑care routines—and the financial considerations that accompany them—become ongoing responsibilities that can shape how patients navigate relationships, work, and daily life.5,6
Even when AD appears controlled, misconceptions about disease behavior and day-to-day management can limit visibility into the ongoing burdens many patients continue to face.1,5 Explore common myths that may not reflect the real-world AD experience.
Fact: Even when they appear clinically controlled on treatment, over 50% of adults with AD report that they continue to experience symptoms.7
Fact: In a patient‑reported outcomes study, some patients stated that they view current AD treatments as short‑term fixes, feeling limited by recurring disease behavior and expressing concerns about long‑term use.8
Fact: Multiple immune pathways (type 2 and non–type 2) may remain active in AD, underscoring the broad scope of inflammatory drivers behind persistent symptoms and burden.3
Th=T helper.
References: 1. Al B, Holzscheck N, Traidl S, et al. Subclinical inflammation precedes atopic dermatitis relapses. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2025;156(5):1234-1246.e9. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2025.03.033 2. Weidinger S, Blauvelt A, Papp KA, et al. Phase 2b randomized clinical trial of amlitelimab, an anti-OX40 ligand antibody, in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2025;155(4):1264-1275. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2024.10.031 3. Croft M, Esfandiari E, Chong C, et al. OX40 in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis–a new therapeutic target. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2024;25(3):447-461. doi:10.1007/s40257-023-00838-9 4. Sadrolashrafi K, Guo L, Kikuchi R, et al. An OX-tra’ordinary tale: the role of OX40 and OX40L in atopic dermatitis. Cells. 2024;13(7):587. doi:10.3390/cells13070587 5. Courtney A, Su JC. The psychology of atopic dermatitis. J Clin Med. 2024;13(6):1602. doi:10.3390/jcm13061602 6. Silverberg JI, Gelfand JM, Margolis DJ, et al. Patient burden and quality of life in atopic dermatitis in US adults: a population-based cross-sectional study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018;121(3):340-347. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2018.07.006 7. Eczema stats. National Eczema Association. Accessed February 10, 2026. https://nationaleczema.org/eczema-facts/ 8. Wollenberg A, Gooderham M, Katoh N, et al. Patient-reported burden in adults with atopic dermatitis: an international qualitative study. Arch Dermatol Res. 2024;316(7):380. doi:10.1007/s00403-024-03130-w
