Asivatrep is a new potential treatment for eczema (atopic dermatitis). Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory itchy skin disease that affects up to 25% of children and 10% of adults. The cause is complex and multifactorial. Currently there are few classes of topical medications to treat it.
- Steroids
- Calcineurin inhibitors (Elidel, Protopic)
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Long term use of topical steroids may lead to skin adverse reactions, such as thinning of the skin and telangiectasia.
Calcineurin inhibitors can cause irritation, burning, and stinging at the application site.
The transient receptor vanilloid subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1), is a nonselective cation channel, that is expressed in many cells that may an important role in skin physiology and disease. TRPV1 is involved in inflammation and plays a role in signaling in patients with eczema. TRPV1 increases peptides that play a role in itching and it is overexpressed in skin lesions of atopic dermatitis, and its activation results in the release of molecules that enhance itching and inflammation. Inhibiting TRPV1 may be an option to treat eczema.
Asivatrep cream 1% is a TRPV1 antagonist used to treat mild to moderate eczema. Early studies showed that it reduced skin inflammation. A phase 3 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology titled “Asivatrep, a TRPV1 antagonist, for the topical treatment of atopic dermatitis: Phase 3, randomized, vehicle-controlled study (CAPTAIN-AD), showed the following results.
- The Asivatrep had significantly greater improvements in IGA (Investigator’s Global Assessment).
- The mean percentage reduction in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) was 44% vs 21%, in Asivatrep vs vehicle, respectively.
- More Asivatrep experienced larger improvements using the EASI scale compared to vehicle.
No significant safety issues were reported.
Asivatrep cream showed greater improvement in clinical signs of eczema by IGA, EASI and itching compared to the vehicle. This topical TRPV1 antagonist is a promising topical medication for patients with atopic dermatitis.