title: Investigational and unproven therapies in atopic dermatitis.
abstract: Atopic dermatitis can be a challenging disease to treat, often having a chronic or relapsing course. For patients with moderate to severe disease, it can result in significant morbidity and affect quality of life of patients or families. Current treatment can be associated with side effects or patient and caregiver concerns about use. Recent advances in the understanding of barrier defects and innate and adaptive immune systemic abnormalities in atopic dermatitis have provided potential new targets for therapeutic intervention. These advances include antimicrobial peptides, antistaphylococcal toxin strategies, Th2 cytokine inhibitors, and modulation of pruritus at the neuromediator level.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
authors.forename: Peck Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boguniewicz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013207:Staphylococcal Skin Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D035703:Therapies, Investigational
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine