Effectiveness of Tralokinumab for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis Involving the Head-and-Neck Area: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study
<u><b><i></i></b></u> <u><b><i>Background:</i></b></u> Atopic dermatitis (AD) affecting the head and neck (H&N) area poses a clinical challenge due to the unique anatomical and physiological features of this region. Despite its well-documented impact on quality of life (QoL), evidence on the effectiveness of tralokinumab in treating AD specifically in the H&N area remains limited.<u><b><i>Objective:</i></b></u> To assess the clinical outcomes of tralokinumab in AD patients with H&N involvement, informing clinical decision-making and improving patient care.<u><b><i>Methods:</i></b></u> A multicenter, retrospective cohort study across 5 Italian tertiary referral hospitals. Patients were stratified by H&N involvement, and treatment outcomes were assessed using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), EASI H&N, Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pruritus, NRS sleep, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, and Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool.<u><b><i>Results:</i></b></u> Among 211 patients, 145 (68.7%) had H&N involvement. A significant reduction in EASI H&N scores from baseline to weeks 12-16 (38.1%) and week 24 (54.5%) was achieved. Significant improvements in IGA, NRS pruritus, and NRS sleep, and QoL measures emerged within 12-16 weeks and persisted at 24 weeks. Compared with patients without H&N involvement, those with H&N involvement exhibited a stronger atopic background and showed no evidence of reduced drug survival. Adverse events, mainly conjunctivitis, were comparable between groups.<u><b><i>Conclusions:</i></b></u> Tralokinumab is effective and well-tolerated in managing moderate-to-severe AD involving the H&N area, even in biologic-experienced patients. These findings support its use as a targeted therapy addressing both clinical and psychosocial burdens of H&N AD.
Authors
- Luca Mastorino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7386-3219)
- Martina Maurelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7492-8010)
- Angelo Valerio Marzano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8160-4169)
- Simone Ribero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0098-1406)
- Eugenia Veronica Di Brizzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0278-2443)
- Giampiero Girolomoni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8548-0493)
- Niccolò Gori (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1987-0623)
- Gianluca Avallone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7253-2370)
- Gianluca Tavoletti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8901-318X)
- Michela Ortoncelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6774-7080)
- Pietro Quaglino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4185-9586)
- Silvia Mariel Ferrucci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6734-1366)
- Francesca Barei (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7188-7310)
- Ketty Peris (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5237-0463)
- Luca Valtellini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6479-0986)
- Anna Balato
- Davide Termini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1950-3780)
- Elena Ippoliti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6455-0531)
Institutions
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
- University of Verona (IT)
- University of Milan (IT)
- University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (IT)
- Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic (IT)
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico (IT)
- Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IT)
- University of Turin (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Dermatitis
- Published
- 2025-07-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/17103568251363249
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.00