New clues to personalising eczema treatment
A new study led by Nepean Hospital researchers Dr Duan Ni and Professor Ralph Nanan is providing important new insights into how patients respond to one of the most advanced therapies currently available for atopic dermatitis.
Published in Allergy, the prime journal in the field of allergies, the research shows that immune signalling patterns linked to treatment response to dupilumab, a highly effective targeted medication for severe atopic dermatitis, vary according to self-reported racial background.
These findings suggest that biological differences associated with population diversity may influence how patients respond to therapy.
Despite the growing use of precision medicines, most clinical and mechanistic studies have historically underrepresented individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. This has limited researchers understanding of how newer therapies perform across real-world populations.
“Our results highlight the urgent need to include broader and more diverse populations in allergy and immunology research,” says Professor Nanan.
“Only through representative studies can we ensure that modern therapies are effective, equitable, and biologically informed for all patients.”
The findings are particularly relevant for Western Sydney, one of Australia’s most culturally diverse regions, where ensuring equitable access to effective treatment is a major clinical priority.
By better understanding variation in immune responses, the study contributes to the development of more personalised approaches to care and improved health outcomes for diverse communities.
This research underscores the importance of inclusive study design and supports a shift toward more representative, precision-based healthcare in allergy.
Full findings from the study are available online in the Allergy journal.
