Study Links Atopic Dermatitis Treatment Failure to Lack of Molecular Data

The research, which surveyed 43 patients and caregivers at the 2024 National Eczema Association Eczema Expo, highlights the frustration surrounding current "trial-and-error" prescribing methods. Participants identified itch control and skin clearance as their primary treatment goals, yet 55% of those previously treated with systemic drugs reported modifying their regimen specifically because the initial therapy failed to provide relief. Among those willing to start a new systemic treatment, 94% expressed a strong desire for molecular testing to guide their selection.

Dr. Diego Ruiz Dasilva, a dermatologist at Forefront Dermatology and author of the study, noted that patients are seeking more objective information to regain control over their condition. The AdvanceAD-Tx test, developed by Castle Biosciences, aims to fill this gap by analyzing 487 genes from skin scrapings to classify patients into specific molecular profiles. Previous clinical data indicates that patients identified with a Janus kinase (JAK) Inhibitor Responder Profile are 5.5 times more likely to achieve significant skin improvement within three months when treated with a JAK inhibitor compared to those receiving Th2-targeted therapies.