Atopic eczema in psoriasis patients on biologics (APOLLO)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation of the pathogenesis of paradoxical atopic eczema in psoriasis patients treated with biologics.
IRAS ID
277344
Contact name
Ali Al-Janabi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Psoriasis and atopic eczema are common, chronic skin conditions that can have significant impact on the quality of life of those affected. They are caused by over-activity of different parts of the immune system. In psoriasis, a new class of drug called biologics have revolutionised how we treat patients, as they target specific parts of the immune system that are over-active in the disease.
Approximately 1 in 20 patients receiving biologics for psoriasis develops atopic eczema as a side-effect. This can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected, leading them to stop or switch treatments, which can lead to a relapse of psoriasis. This study will help to understand which changes in the skin and immune system lead to this side effect, and could lead to better treatment selection for these patients in the future.
This study will involve three groups of psoriasis patients recruited from outpatient Dermatology clinics at Salford Royal Hospital and Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool. Participants will have skin swabs, blood tests and skin biopsies which will allow us to assess changes occurring in the skin and immune system. The first group are those who have developed atopic eczema on one biologic class, and are planned to switch to another. Skin swabs, blood tests and skin biopsies will be taken after stopping their first biologic, and repeated if they develop atopic eczema on the new biologic, allowing us to assess changes in the skin and immune system over time. In the second group, any patients developing atopic eczema on a biologic will have these samples collected only once at the time of the adverse event. The third group are participants on a biologic for psoriasis that have never developed atopic eczema; they will have the same samples collected only once. This study will last up to three years and is funded by the Medical Research Council.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0328
Date of REC Opinion
24 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion