Neurodermatitis: New treatment in sight

Lisa Vogel studied departmental journalism with a focus on medicine and biosciences at Ansbach University and deepened her journalistic knowledge in the master's degree in multimedia information and communication. This was followed by a traineeship in the editorial team. Since September 2020 she has been writing as a freelance journalist for

More posts by Lisa Vogel All content is checked by medical journalists.

Itching, goodbye! An innovative active ingredient relies on a completely new mechanism of action. It helps amazingly well. And that with all patients.

Excruciating itching determines their everyday life: around 15 percent of children and up to four percent of adults in Germany suffer from neurodermatitis. But now they can hope for a new and particularly effective treatment: The Hannover Medical School is currently testing a new active ingredient - and has already achieved promising results.

Completely new point of attack

The so-called histamine-4-receptor blocker with the awkward name ZPL 3893787 used by them interrupts the inflammatory process. Because it prevents the messenger substance histamine from docking on the sensitive skin cells. Histamine is responsible for the symptoms of inflammation such as itching and redness in allergies and neurodermatitis.

“The new active ingredient has a different point of attack than previous preparations,” says Prof. Thomas Werfel, deputy clinic director of the Hannover Medical School and immunodermatologist. So far, the active ingredient Cyclosporin A has been used in severe atopic dermatitis cases. It suppresses the immune reaction very effectively and is otherwise used after organ transplants, among other things.

Significant improvement after eight weeks

The study lasted twelve weeks. 65 participants received a tablet with the histamine receptor blocker, 33 participants served as a control group. They got a placebo. Before the start of the study, the researchers documented the extent and severity of the skin inflammation.

After just eight weeks of taking the tablets, the symptoms of the active ingredient group clearly decreased. And that applies to all participants. On average, the inflamed skin area was reduced by half. “We assume that the histamine 4 receptor blocker works regardless of the cause of the neurodermatitis. We are currently investigating which patients can benefit most from the new therapy, ”says Werfel.

Wonder weapon without side effects?

There were no side effects in the study group. “However, the group of 98 patients was too small. The question of possible side effects must be investigated in larger-scale studies, ”says study director Werfel. A second study with around 400 patients is currently underway at the University of Hanover.

It is still unclear when the new product could be available in pharmacies. “Even if everything goes smoothly, it will certainly take another two to three years,” says Werfel. Until then, atopic dermatitis patients have to resort to conventional treatment options.

Skin care is important for atopic dermatitis

In order to prevent relapses, atopic dermatitis patients have to take intensive care of their skin on a daily basis. For mild eczema, cortisone preparations can relieve the symptoms. For more severe forms of the skin disease, the doctor will prescribe drugs that inhibit the immune system.

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