A new cream being developed by scientists could greatly improve the treatment of eczema symptoms, according to new research published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

The research, conducted by dermatologists in Korea, has shown that a non-steroid containing cream, called PAC-14028, can be as effective in treating eczema symptoms as current creams on the market but with fewer side-effects.

Eczema is one of the most common skin diseases and is often linked to allergies, asthma and hay fever. One in five children is affected by eczema at some point, and the condition often continues into adulthood. It is characterised by red, itchy and sore skin which can affect the ability to sleep and generally reduce the patient’s quality of life.

Available topical (applied to the skin) treatments can be very effective in treating eczema symptoms. However, they can also cause negative side-effects such as itching and burning, which can result in patients discontinuing their treatment. Existing treatments can also lead to more serious complications in patients who rely on them for long periods, such as thinning of the skin with creams containing steroids.

The research was conducted with 194 adults with mild to moderate eczema. Participants were split into four groups and treated with either a control cream or the new treatment, PAC-14028 cream, at one of three different concentrations (0.1%, 0.3% or 1.0%). Participants applied the cream twice daily for eight weeks.

The results were primarily measured using the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA). This is a standardised visual scale for assessing the severity of eczema in a patient based upon typical symptoms. A score of zero represents a patient completely clear of eczema up to a score of five representing very severe eczema. Treatment success was classed as an IGA score of zero or one at the end of the trial.

After eight weeks, 57.5 percent of patients in the group who received the highest concentration PAC-14028 cream, had an IGA score of zero or one. Symptoms of eczema were therefore completely eradicated or reduced to an almost-clear level in a significant number.

IGA success rates at week eight were 15 percent for the control cream, compared to 43 percent for PAC-14028 cream at 0.1%, 38 percent for 0.3% and 57 percent 1.0%.

Those treated with the control cream showed relatively little improvement, with just 4.2 percent of patients having a two-grade IGA score improvement from the start of the trial, compared to 38.3 percent in the 1.0% cream.

Safety of the creams was also monitored as part of this study. The highest concentration PAC-14028 cream, 1.0%, had a favourable safety profile. Between treatment groups, there was no significant difference in the number of negative side-effects noted. Side-effects which were noted were all considered mild to moderate in severity, with no serious complications in any treatment group.

The efficacy of PAC-14028 cream was similar to a commonly used non-steroidal cream called pimecrolimus but with a far lower incidence of unwanted side-effects.

PAC-14028 cream works by inhibiting the impact of TRPV1, a protein which plays a role in the pain, inflammation and itching of eczema.

Holly Barber of the British Association of Dermatologists said: “The symptoms of eczema can have a huge impact on the day-to-day lives of patients. This study is exciting as potential new topical treatments for eczema flares are rare. However, further trials are required to confirm these findings after long periods of application.”

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

The British Association of Dermatologists’ Patient Information Leaflet on eczema is available here.

Study details:

Efficacy and safety of PAC-14028 cream, a novel, topical, nonsteroidal, selective TRPV1 antagonist in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis: a phase IIb randomized trial
Y.W. Lee,1 C.-H. Won,2 K. Jung,3 H.-J. Nam,3 G. Choi,3 Y.-H. Park,3 M. Park3 and B. Kim4

1Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 2Department of Dermatology, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 3Vital Beautie Research Institute, AmorePacific Corporation R&D Center, Yongin, Republic of Korea, 4Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Citation: Y.W. Lee, C.-H. Won, K. Jung, H.-J. Nam, G. Choi, Y.-H. Park, M. Park and B. Kim (2018), Efficacy and safety of PAC-14028 cream, a novel, topical, nonsteroidal, selective TRPV1 antagonist in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis: a phase IIb randomized trial. Br J Dermatol. DOI 10.1111/bjd.17455.

Link to full study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjd.17455

For more information please contact the media team: comms@bad.org.uk, 0207 391 6084. Website: www.bad.org.uk

About us:

The British Association of Dermatologists is the central association of practising UK dermatologists. Our aim is to continually improve the treatment and understanding of skin disease. For further information about the charity, visit www.bad.org.uk

The British Association of Dermatologists publishes two world-renowned dermatology journals, both published by Wiley-Blackwell. The British Journal of Dermatology is one of the top dermatology journals in the world, and publishes papers on all aspects of the biology and pathology of the skin. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-2133