Ann Pharmacother

Treating atopic dermatitis in teens: How do biologics stack up?

February 9, 2026

This systematic review and network meta‑analysis evaluated the comparative efficacy and safety of biologic therapies for adolescents with moderate‑to‑severe atopic dermatitis. Four double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trials (N = 642) assessed dupilumab, lebrikizumab, and tralokinumab, with primary outcomes of Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI‑75) and Investigator’s Global Assessment (clear or almost clear) at 16 weeks. Compared with placebo, dupilumab 200/300 mg every 2 weeks showed the largest effect estimates for both EASI‑75 (risk ratio [RR], 5.2; 95% credible interval [CrI], 2.6-12.0) and IGA 0/1 (RR 12.0; 95% CrI, 3.3-78.0). However, no statistically robust differences were observed between biologics, and overall certainty of evidence was low.

Clinical takeaway: Despite signals favoring dupilumab for EASI-75 and IGA 0/1 at 16 weeks, no therapy demonstrates clear superiority, underscoring the need for head-to-head comparisons.

Source:

Li KH, et al. (2026, February 4). Ann Pharmacother. Biologic Treatments in Adolescents With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Literature Review and Network Meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41635230/