Typically, chronic urticaria – or chronic hives – can be managed using over-the-counter antihistamines. However, some people develop antihistamine-refractory chronic urticaria, which means that the condition cannot be managed even while using antihistamines in conjunction with other therapies. Healio reports that a recent proof-of-concept study found that lirentelimab (AK002) has benefits for these individuals and can aid in better disease control and management.
To learn more, take a look at the published data in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Evaluating Lirentelimab
To begin, let’s take a look at what lirentelimab is. Developed by Allakos, lirentelimab is described as a therapeutic which:
Targets Siglec-8, an inhibitory receptor found on the surface of mast cells and eosinophils. Lirentelimab has demonstrated positive clinical activity in diseases thought to be driven by mast cells and eosinophils…[and] clinical and preclinical results demonstrate that lirentelimab broadly inhibits mast cells and rapidly depletes eosinophils.
In addition to evaluating lirentelimab for chronic urticaria, the treatment is also being developed for eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophilic duodenitis, eosinophilic gastritis, and indolent systemic mastocytosis.
The Study: Lirentelimab for Chronic Urticaria
Within this study, researchers sought to understand what treatment could improve quality of life (QOL) and symptom management for those with chronic urticaria. Altogether, 47 patients enrolled and 45 were eligible for the trial. Patients had one of the following conditions:
- Omalizumab-naive chronic spontaneous urticaria
- This means that these patients had never before been treated with omalizumab.
- Omalizumab-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria
- This means that these patients had been treated with omalizumab, but it was not effective.
- Cholinergic urticaria
- Symptomatic dermographism
Next, enrolled individuals received intravenous lirentelimab up to 6 times each month. Findings included:
- Lirentelimab treatment significantly reduced symptom burden in those with chronic urticaria. For example, it reduced hives and itchiness.
- For omalizumab-naive individuals, 92% achieved a complete response within 22 weeks. Additionally, the complete response was also achieved by 36% within the treatment-refractory group, 40% within the symptomatic dermographism group, and 82% within the cholinergic urticaria group.
- Altogether, lirentelimab was relatively safe and well-tolerated. However, some side effects did occur. These include headache, the common cold, and infusion-related reactions.
What is Chronic Urticaria?
Also known as chronic hives, chronic urticaria causes raised, itchy welts on the skin. Hives appear and fade with time. To be diagnosed with chronic urticaria, the hives must appear for 6+ weeks and then return over the coming months or years. There are many potential triggers for this condition, including infections, alcohol use or certain foods, parasites, sunlight, changes in temperature, stress, or even pressure on the skin. When symptoms appear, they include:
- Skin-colored or red welts that appear in various sizes or shapes
- Itchiness, which may range from mild to severe
- Angioedema in the lips, throat, and eyelids
Learn more about chronic urticaria.
