A new treatment is offering notable hope for those battling relentless itch and skin lesions caused by prurigo nodularis (PN). Results from a phase 2b clinical trial show that vixarelimab, a monoclonal antibody, dramatically reduced itch severity in patients with moderate to severe PN, possibly changing the landscape for this challenging skin condition.
This new therapy offers a potential breakthrough for a condition with limited effective treatments.
- Vixarelimab significantly reduced itch severity compared to placebo in patients with prurigo nodularis.
- improvements were observed in both itch and skin lesion severity.
- The treatment was generally well-tolerated, with no fatal or serious drug-related adverse events reported.
- The study suggests a dose-dependent response, with higher doses showing greater efficacy.
What is prurigo nodularis, and why is this news significant? Prurigo nodularis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by intensely itchy, raised bumps (nodules). It can be incredibly debilitating,significantly impacting quality of life.Current treatments frequently enough provide limited relief, leaving patients searching for effective solutions.
The recent study, published in JAMA Dermatology, provides compelling evidence for vixarelimab’s efficacy. The mean percentage reductions from the study’s baseline were -56.2% for the high-dose group, -51.0% for the mid-dose group,and -33.0% for the low-dose group, compared to just -14.5% in the placebo group. Moreover, at least a four-point advancement on the WI-NRS was reported by 66.0% of those receiving the high dose, 61.7% in the mid-dose group, and 29.8% in the low-dose group, versus only 16.7% of those on placebo.
Beyond itch relief,improvements were also seen in the appearance of skin lesions.Investigator Global Assessment scores of 0 or 1 (indicating clear or almost clear skin) were achieved by up to 38.3% of patients treated with the high dose of vixarelimab, compared to just 10.4% in the placebo group.
The treatment was well-tolerated throughout the study.Researchers reported no fatal or serious adverse events directly linked to the drug, and no serious treatment-related adverse events occured during the initial double-blind phase.
Looking Ahead: Vixarelimab’s Potential Role in PN Treatment
the study authors concluded that vixarelimab offers rapid, dose-dependent, and lasting improvements in both itch and skin lesions associated with PN, with a favorable safety profile. These findings strongly suggest that vixarelimab could become a valuable new therapeutic option for individuals struggling with this difficult-to-treat condition.
Reference
Ständer S et al. Vixarelimab in Patients with Prurigo Nodularis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatol.2025; 10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.4950
