How effective is Ebglyss (Lebrikizumab)?

Ebglyss (Lebrikizumab) is an immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) monoclonal antibody that binds interleukin (IL)-13 with high affinity and blocks the downstream effects of IL-13 with high selectivity. Blocking IL-13 signaling is expected to be beneficial in atopic dermatitis (AD), in which IL-13 is a key factor in the pathogenesis of the disease. In Ebglyss' clinical studies, lebrikizumab reduced levels of several serum inflammatory biomarkers, providing indirect evidence that lebrikizumab inhibits the IL-13 pathway.

Three major studies show that Ebglyss is more effective than placebo, a dummy treatment, in reducing the extent and severity of atopic dermatitis in adults with moderate to severe disease and in children 12 years and older. At week 16, the severity of the condition was assessed using the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) scale (0 means clear skin, 4 means severe disease) and the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) to see how many patients had 75% or more improvement in clinical symptoms in different parts of the body (also known as EASI-75).

In the first study involving424 people, 43% of those who received Ebglyss received an IGA score of 0 or 1, compared with 13% of those who received a placebo. Additionally, 59% of those in the Ebglyss group experienced a 75% reduction in symptom score (EASI-75) compared to 16% of those in the placebo group.

In a second study involving 445 people, 33% of Ebglyss patients had an IGA score of 0 or 1, compared with 11% of the placebo group. Additionally, 52% of those who received Ebglyss achieved EASI-75, compared with 18% of those who received placebo.

In the third study, involving 228 patients who received both topical corticosteroids, 41% of patients who received Iglisol and corticosteroids had an IGA score of 0 or 1, and 70% achieved EASI-75. The results were 22% and 42% for those taking placebo and corticosteroids, respectively.

For long-term treatment, the beneficial effects of Ebglyss were maintained for up to 52 weeks in those who achieved IGA 0 or 1 and EASI-75 at week 16.