Nemolizumab

Nemolizumab, a first-in-class humanized monoclonal antibody, targets the IL-31 receptor alpha, which blocks the signal transduction of IL-31 .

Atopic Dermatitis: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519) recently announced that long-term data from a Phase II study (264 patients) of nemolizumab (CIM331) that nemolizumab is effective in moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the tolerability and efficacy of nemolizumab was maintained after one year of continuous treatment (Kabashima K et al. 2018).

Prurigo nodularis: Furthermore, a phase 2 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) successfully used nemolizumab in adult patients with moderate to severe prurigo nodularis (PN) (Ruzicka T et al 2017; Ständer S et al 2020). In this study, 70 patients were successfully treated with subcutaneous nemolizumab (0.5 mg/kg every 4 weeks). At week 18 (10 weeks after the last dose), 38% of patients treated with nemolizumab were free or nearly free of prurigo nodularis, compared with 6% of patients receiving placebo. Nemolizumab was well tolerated. In terms of UAWs, gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, and muscular symptoms were described. However, no imbalance was observed between the verum and placebo groups.

1. Kabashima K et al (2018) Nemolizumab in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis: Randomized, phase II, long-term extension study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 142:1121-1130
2. Ruzicka T et al.(2017). Anti- Interleukin-31 Receptor A Antibody for Atopic Dermatitis. N Engl J Med 376:826-835.
3. Stand S et al. (2020) Trial of Nemolizumab in Moderate-to-Severe Prurigo Nodularis. N Engl J Med 382:706-716.