Thousands of people suffering from eczema could soon see their painful symptoms disappear, as the NHS announces the roll-out of a pioneering new jab.
The monthly injection can be used by adults and children over the age of 12 affected by the inflammatory condition, which causes uncomfortable patches of itchy, cracked and dry skin.
Approved by EU regulators last year, studies show lebrikizumab completely banishes eczema rashes in four out of five people given the drug. It soothes symptoms by targeting a protein in the body that causes inflammation.
And now the groundbreaking treatment is set to be available for prescription in England and Wales, after the NHS spending watchdog gave it the green light.
For Kymmene Dawson, 39, starting lebrikizumab has been life-changing. ‘It’s given me a new lease of life where I can wake up in the morning and know that I can go about my day without feeling self-conscious or having to cancel plans,’ she said.
Thousands of people suffering from eczema could soon see their painful symptoms disappear (stock image)
The monthly injection can be used by adults and children over the age of 12 affected by the inflammatory condition, which causes uncomfortable patches of itchy, cracked and dry skin (stock image of eczema)
Pictured: A close-up view of Atopic Dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema, one of the most common forms of eczema
Kymmene, who runs a beer bar in Salford called Joule, was offered the jab in March after previous dugs failed to treat her severe eczema, which primarily affected her face.
‘I’ve had eczema all my life but, for the past ten years, I’ve needed hospital treatment and immunosuppressant drugs,’ she said. ‘Last summer I was housebound as my skin was so bad. I’d tried everything and was in a poor state.’
She was prescribed dupilumab in 2021, which also at first appeared to transform her skin. But after six months, she again began experiencing very bad flare-ups.
Within the first month of taking lebrikizumab, however, Kymmene saw her skin begin to clear and the itchiness ease. ‘It had a positive effect very quickly and now I’m in the best state I’ve been in for a while,’ she said. ‘I don’t feel like a person with eczema any more – that’s a pretty big deal.’
Kymmene did experience a few side effects – including little cuts on the inner and outer corners of her eyes – but said they largely went away, leaving her eyes feeling better than ever.
She also has some minor joint pain for a few days after she receives the lebrikizumab jab.
Pictured: A woman applying ointment to eczema on her elbow
‘Overall, I’m very happy with everything and plan on continuing to use the medication for as long as it works,’ she added.
Andrew Proctor, the chief executive of the National Eczema Society, welcomed the news that lebrikizumab would be available on the NHS, saying: ‘Most people have heard of atopic eczema, but don’t realise how it can dominate the lives of patients and their families. If you live with more severe atopic eczema, you have to constantly plan and prepare.
‘Along with a time-intensive and messy skincare regime and regularly disturbed sleep, life with eczema can be all-consuming for sufferers and parents of children with the condition.
‘It’s important we have a range of treatment options, so patients have the chance to access a treatment that works well for them.’
More than 5.2million adults and 2.5million children in the UK currently suffer from moderate to severe cases of eczema. The condition is generally first treated with prescription washes and steroid creams to reduce swelling and redness. In more severe cases, immunosuppressant drugs – which can negatively affect immunity and the liver – are given.
The revolutionary new drug dupilumab received NHS approval in 2021 for patients who had not responded to other treatments.
The revolutionary new drug dupilumab (pictured) received NHS approval in 2021 for patients who had not responded to other treatments
Professor Tony Bewley (pictured), a consultant dermatologist at Bart’s Health NHS Trust in London, said the roll-out will be ‘most welcomed for patients and clinicians alike’
Targeting two proteins developed in the immune system – interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 – which cause inflammation, the jab was shown to be effective at reducing the symptoms of eczema.
However, it can also lead to side effects such as conjunctivitis – where the eyes become red and sore – and joint pain. Trials of lebrikizumab, which targets only the interleukin-13 protein, showed the drug triggered far fewer side effects than dupilumab.
Research also revealed that 80 per cent of participants with moderate to severe eczema who took lebrikizumab for two years maintained clear or almost clear skin, with experts claiming this may allow those who come off the drug to continue to live eczema free.
Earlier this month, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which decides whether the NHS will fund new treatments, concluded that lebrikizumab could be offered to patients who have responded already to an immunosuppresant or when these drugs are not considered suitable.
Professor Tony Bewley, a consultant dermatologist at Bart’s Health NHS Trust in London, said the roll-out will be ‘most welcomed for patients and clinicians alike’.
‘Atopic dermatitis often has a greatly underestimated psychosocial burden for the patients and their families,’ he said.
‘Both adults and children frequently face stigmatisation, loss of confidence and bullying, sleep deprivation and overwhelming itch, which may impact their performance at school and work.
‘In severe atopic dermatitis, patients often suffer from depression, anxiety and even suicidal ideation. The addition of this therapy is an important step forward and most welcomed for patients and clinicians alike.’