Thousands of eczema sufferers could soon see their painful symptoms disappear as the NHS has announced the rollout of a pioneering new vaccine.
The monthly injection can be used by adults and children over 12 years of age affected by the inflammatory condition, which causes uncomfortable areas of itchy, cracked and dry skin.
Studies have shown that lebrikizumab, approved by EU regulators last year, completely clears eczema flares in four out of five people who receive the drug. It relieves symptoms by acting on a protein in the body that causes inflammation.
And now the innovative treatment will be available on prescription in England and Wales after being given the green light by the NHS spending watchdog.
For Kymmene Dawson, 39, starting lebrikizumab has been life-changing. “It’s given me a new lease on life as I can wake up in the morning and know I can go about my day without feeling self-conscious or having to cancel plans,” she said.
Thousands of eczema sufferers could soon see their painful symptoms disappear (file image)
The monthly injection can be used by adults and children over 12 years of age affected by the inflammatory condition, which causes uncomfortable patches of itchy, cracked and dry skin (eczema stock image)
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 vaccine in March after previous jabs failed to treat her severe eczema, which mainly affected her face.
“I’ve had eczema all my life, but for the past ten years I’ve needed hospital treatment and immunosuppressive drugs,” she said. “Last summer I was housebound because my skin was so bad. I’d tried everything and it was in a very bad state.”
In 2021, she was prescribed dupilumab, which at first also seemed to transform her skin, but after six months, she again suffered very severe flare-ups.
However, within the first month of treatment with lebrikizumab, Kymmene noticed that her skin was starting to clear up and the itchiness was easing. “It had a very quick positive effect and I am now in the best condition I have been in for a long time,” she said. “I don’t feel like a person with eczema anymore, that’s a big deal.”
Kymmene did experience some side effects, including small cuts on the inner and outer corners of her eyes, but she said they have largely disappeared and her eyes feel better than ever.
You will also have some mild joint pain for a few days after receiving the lebrikizumab injection.
Pictured: A woman applies eczema ointment to her elbow.
“Overall, I’m very happy with everything and I plan to continue using the medication as long as it works,” she added.
Andrew Proctor, 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 sufferers and their families. If you’re living with more severe atopic eczema, you need to constantly plan and prepare.
‘Coupled with a time-consuming and complicated skincare regimen and regularly disrupted sleep, life with eczema can be exhausting for those who suffer from it and for parents of children who have the condition.
“It’s important that we have a variety of treatment options, so that patients have the opportunity to access a treatment that works well for them.”
In the UK, more than 5.2 million adults and 2.5 million children currently suffer from moderate to severe cases of eczema. The condition is usually first treated with prescription steroid washes and creams to reduce swelling and redness. In more severe cases, immunosuppressive drugs are given, which can negatively affect the immune system and liver.
The revolutionary new drug dupilumab was given NHS approval in 2021 for patients who had not responded to other treatments.
The breakthrough new drug dupilumab (pictured) was given NHS approval in 2021 for patients who had not responded to other treatments.
Professor Tony Bewley (pictured), consultant dermatologist at Bart’s Health NHS Trust in London, said the rollout would be “very welcomed by patients and clinicians alike”.
The vaccine, which targets two proteins developed in the immune system (interleukin-4 and interleukin-13), which cause inflammation, has been shown to be effective in reducing eczema symptoms.
However, it can also cause side effects such as conjunctivitis (in which the eyes become red and painful) and joint pain. Trials with lebrikizumab, which acts only on the protein interleukin-13, showed that the drug caused far fewer side effects than dupilumab.
The research also found that 80 percent of participants with moderate to severe eczema who took lebrikizumab for two years maintained clear or nearly clear skin, and experts say this may allow those who stop the drug to continue living 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 already responded to an immunosuppressant or where these drugs are not considered suitable.
Professor Tony Bewley, a consultant dermatologist at Bart’s Health NHS Trust in London, said the rollout would be “very welcomed by patients and clinicians alike”.
“Atopic dermatitis often has a greatly underestimated psychosocial burden for patients and their families,” she said.
‘Both adults and children frequently face stigmatisation, loss of confidence and bullying, lack of sleep and overwhelming itch, which can affect their performance at school and work.
“In severe cases of atopic dermatitis, patients often suffer from depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts. The introduction of this therapy is an important step forward and is very well received by both patients and physicians.”