Nemolizumab Treatment May Reduce Itch and Improve Quality of Life in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis

A qualitative substudy embedded within the phase 3 ARCADIA 1 trial provides new insights into patient-reported experiences of nemolizumab treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). The study, which included 73 participants from the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, explored symptoms and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) impacts before and during treatment.

Itch emerged as the most frequently reported and burdensome pre-trial symptom, identified by 100% of participants. Many described its far-reaching effects, including disrupted sleep, emotional distress, and daily activity limitations. One participant said, “The itching was the worst. Any time I put on clothes... it just made me itch.” Another noted, “It’s soul-destroying and you can’t go to sleep because it’s uncomfortable.”

Beyond itch, participants reported 40 distinct pre-trial symptoms and 45 impact concepts across six HRQoL domains, with sleep disturbance, emotional distress, and impaired daily functioning identified as most burdensome. Nearly 75% linked their sleep disturbance directly to itch, underscoring the symptom’s systemic impact.

During the trial, more participants receiving nemolizumab than placebo reported improvements in all ten of the most common symptoms and all six HRQoL domains. Specifically, 96% of nemolizumab-treated participants reported itch improvement, compared to 70% in the placebo group. Improvements in sleep, emotions, and daily activity were also more frequent in the treatment group.

Patient satisfaction reflected these outcomes. Among nemolizumab-treated participants, 80% said the treatment helped manage their condition, 70% felt it met their expectations, and 89% said they would recommend it. 

This substudy emphasizes the interrelated nature of itch, AD symptoms, and HRQoL impacts, and supports nemolizumab as a targeted treatment that may reduce the broader physical and psychosocial burden of AD.

Reference
Silverberg JI, Filipenko D, Barbosa CD, et al. Patients’ experiences of atopic dermatitis and nemolizumab treatment: an in-trial interview study embedded in a phase 3 clinical trial (ARCADIA). Patient. Published online May, 13 2025. doi:10.1007/s40271-025-00741-x