Increasing dosing intervals for biologics in atopic dermatitis-why, who, when and how?

Biologics approved and in development for atopic dermatitis offer life-changing clinical efficacy with a relatively banal long-term safety profile requiring no laboratory monitoring. Biologic therapies also have their drawbacks, including high payor cost and the need to be administered as every other week subcutaneous injections. Addressing these concerns, studies of longer dosing intervals have been performed in the formal clinical trial setting and during real-world clinical care. Here, we review the current progress and evidence of dose elongation strategies in biologics for atopic dermatitis. We find that across a diverse investigational landscape, a large patient population exists that is able to maintain adequate disease control on a prolonged dosing interval. Evidence of clinical predictors of maintenance of disease control using this approach is emerging, although the impact of increased dosing intervals as a strategy to mitigate side effects is lacking. Patients experiencing good disease control are ideal candidates to engage in a shared decision-making process between patients and providers that will facilitate an individualized dosing approach in practice.