LEO Pharma presented data from its multinational CHECK study at the 16th Congress of the European Society of Contact Dermatitis in Dresden, Germany, revealing insights into the prevalence, severity, and treatment of chronic hand eczema (CHE). The CHECK study, along with the RWEAL study, provides a comprehensive understanding of CHE in European countries and Canada.
CHECK and RWEAL Study Details
The CHECK study involved over 60,000 adult participants from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The RWEAL study validated CHECK’s findings, incorporating data from 292 physicians and a review of 1939 patient medical charts from the same nations.
Prevalence of Chronic Hand Eczema
Among the CHECK study participants, 5.6% reported experiencing chronic hand eczema within the past year, while 4.7% reported receiving a physician diagnosis for the condition during the same period. These findings underscore the significant burden of CHE in the studied populations.
Insights from Experts
Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, from Yale University School of Medicine, highlighted the complexities of CHE, defining it as a "heterogeneous, long-lasting, fluctuating inflammatory skin disease of the hands." He also noted the substantial impact of CHE on patients' quality of life and the current lack of FDA-approved treatments in the US.
Delgocitinib: A Potential Treatment Option
While the US market awaits the approval of delgocitinib (LEO Pharma) for moderate to severe CHE, the European Commission has already granted marketing authorization for the topical treatment in the European Union and select European countries. Delgocitinib is a topical pan-JAK inhibitor that inhibits the activation of JAK-STAT signaling, offering a potential new approach to managing CHE.
