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IL-31 Inhibition as a Therapeutic Approach for the Management of Chronic Pruritic Dermatoses

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Abstract

Chronic pruritus is a debilitating symptom with limited treatment options. Identifying molecular targets underlying chronic pruritic dermatoses is essential for the development of novel, targeted therapies. IL-31 is an important mediator of itch by integrating dermatologic, neural, and immune systems. IL-31 helps induce and maintain chronic pruritus via both indirect stimulation of inflammatory cells and through direct neural sensitization. IL-31 is overexpressed in various chronic pruritic skin conditions, and exogenous IL-31 induces itch and scratching behavior. Studies have demonstrated that IL-31R and IL-31 antagonism significantly reduces itch in patients with atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis, two extremely pruritic skin conditions. Emerging evidence, including recent phase II clinical trials of IL-31R antagonists, demonstrates that IL-31 plays an important role in itch signaling. Additional studies are ongoing to evaluate IL-31R and IL-31 antagonism as treatments of chronic pruritus.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Drs. Sylvie Gabriel and Rajeev Chavda, employees of Galderma SA, for their guidance and input based on prior studies on nemolizumab.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cancer Research Building II Suite 206, 1550 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA

    Youkyung S. Roh, Justin Choi, Nishadh Sutaria, Micah Belzberg & Shawn G. Kwatra

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

    Madan M. Kwatra

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  1. Youkyung S. Roh
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  2. Justin Choi
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Correspondence to Shawn G. Kwatra.

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Funding

Dr. Kwatra has received grant funding from Pfizer Inc., Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, and Galderma.

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Shawn G. Kwatra is on the advisory board for Abbvie, Incyte Corporation, Galderma, Menlo Therapeutics, Pfizer Inc., and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and has received grant funding from Pfizer Inc., Galderma SA, and Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals. He is also a recipient of a Dermatology Foundation Medical Dermatology Career Development Award. The other author(s) have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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YSR: study design, data collection, manuscript writing. JC, NS, MB, SG, RC, MMK: manuscript editing. SGK: overall supervision, study design, data collection, manuscript editing. All authors read and approved the final version. The content in this manuscript has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere.

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Roh, Y.S., Choi, J., Sutaria, N. et al. IL-31 Inhibition as a Therapeutic Approach for the Management of Chronic Pruritic Dermatoses. Drugs 81, 895–905 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-021-01521-1

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