Studies initial results point to potential new atopic dermatitis therapies

Image courtesy of VetCell Therapeutics

With the emergence of new treatments for atopic dermatitis in the animal health industry in recent years, veterinarians and their clients have more options than ever for providing relief to itchy dogs. And, according to releases from two industry manufacturers, there may be even more therapeutic (and diagnostic) alternatives available in the near future.

A diagnostic biomarker and a stem cell treatment

As many veterinarians are all too aware, canine atopic dermatitis traditionally requires a lengthy diagnostic process based on exclusion and relying on patient history, clinical examination, allergy testing and diet trials. All of these tests, while reliable in their own right, have limitations, according to a release from VetCell Therapeutics.

The company, which manufactures cell therapies for veterinary applications, and a team from Western University of Health Sciences recently published a study in PLOS ONE that outlines how certain biomarkers in the blood may be a tool for quickly identifying atopic dermatitis, offering an instant diagnosis and guidance on how to treat the underlying causes of inflammation with cell therapy, the release states.

VetCell Therapeutics and Western University are also conducting a preclinical study on the effects of using mesenchymal stem cells to treat canine atopic dermatitis. The goal of the study is to determine whether stem cell therapy helps patients find relief from inflammation caused by atopic dermatitis and leads to a reduction in scratching. If the results from the trial are favorable (research is scheduled to conclude by the end of this year), the team will pursue a clinical trial.

The end goal for all of this work is to create an FDA-approved stem cell therapy for canine atopic dermatitis, the release states. The company also wants to use the results of the canine study to pursue a human therapy based on the same principles under the guidance of VetCell Therapeutics' parent company, PrimeGen Global.

A new monoclonal antibody targeting canine itch

In related news, Kindred Biosciences recently announced positive results from its pilot study of KIND-016, a fully caninized, high-affinity monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-31 (IL-31) for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs.

The study was a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled pilot field study of 62 client-owned dogs with atopic dermatitis designed to assess the effectiveness of KIND-016. A single dose of KIND-016 or placebo was administered on day 0, and the severity of pruritus (determined by the Pruritus Visual Analog Scale [PVAS]) and atopic dermatitis (determined by the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index-4 [CADESI]) were assessed at day zero and during weeks one, two, three, four, six and eight.

In addition, PVAS scores were assessed at four hours and on days one, two and three after administration of KIND-016 or placebo. Treatment success for individual dogs at each visit was defined as a reduction of 50% or greater from baseline in either the PVAS or CADESI score.

At week four, 61% of the KIND-016 group met treatment success criteria versus 33% of the placebo group. The reduction in itching, as measured by the PVAS score, peaked rapidly, with treatment showing significant efficacy as early as 24 hours with a trend as early as four hours. The CADESI response was also very rapid, with the treatment success rate reaching 70% as early as week one. While the study was not designed to demonstrate efficacy beyond week four, the majority of dogs that were treatment successes at week four maintained response through week eight.  

KindredBio CEO Richard Chin says the company's biologics plant, located in Kansas, is designed to meet demand of more than a billion dollars of product per year and will soon be fully commissioned.