Breakthrough Therapies in Itch Management: Insights From Brian S. Kim, MD, FAAD

“The flavor of what's going on in AD has really shifted so much and immunodermatology has really come to the forefront,” Brian S. Kim, MD, FAAD, told Dermatology Times at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in Orlanda, Florida. Kim, professor of dermatology and vice chair of research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and director of the Mark Lebwohl Center for Neuroinflammation and Sensation, highlighted key advancements in the treatment of chronic itch-related conditions at the meeting.

One of the key takeaways from his presentations, he said, was the approval of nemolizumab, an anti-IL-31RA monoclonal antibody, which became available 6 months ago for prurigo nodularis and 2 months ago for atopic dermatitis.

“This is a truly anti-itch drug,” Kim emphasized. “It has anti-itch properties that we quite haven't seen at this level before and presents a very unique therapy in the dermatology space.” Dermatologists should consider the severity and urgency of a patient’s itch when determining whether this therapy is appropriate, he said. For patients with atopic dermatitis who experience predominant itch even with minimal rash, this drug may be particularly beneficial. For prurigo nodularis, Kim noted, “there is no question this drug is particularly well suited.”

Kim told Dermatology Times that there are some interesting research happening in itch, some of which has been discussed at the meeting. “In terms of itch research, one thing that I'm very interested in is understanding the degree and extent to which mast cells play a role,” he said. There is also research involving c-KIT blockers, Kim noted, “And the question is, are these things going to work for itch?”

Barzolvolimab (CDX-0159) demonstrate positive topline results of barzolvolimab in phase 2 in chronic spontaneous urticaria and they have begun phase 2 study for PN.^1,2 "That's really interesting new biology that goes above and beyond what we've known," he commented.

Another agent to watch is remibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor anticipated for chronic spontaneous urticaria, Kim said. If approved, it will complement dupilumab and could bring urticaria back into dermatology, Kim told Dermatology Times.

Kim is enthusiastic about new agents and improving care for patients. “FDA-approved drugs are emerging at an unprecedented rate for a specialty like dermatology,” he said. With only about 45 new FDA drug approvals annually, the dermatology field securing a significant share of these approvals is remarkable, he told Dermatology Times.

“I think we should be very excited and bullish about the future of what these new therapies can do and how many more therapies will come from dermatology—and to—dermatology,” he said.

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References

1. Celldex Therapeutics Announces Positive Topline Results from Barzolvolimab Phase 2 Study in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria . Press release. Nov 6, 2023. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://ir.celldex.com/news-releases/news-release-details/celldex-therapeutics-announces-positive-topline-results

2. Celldex Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 2 Study of Barzolvolimab in Prurigo Nodularis. Press release. May 15, 2024. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://ir.celldex.com/news-releases/news-release-details/celldex-announces-first-patient-dosed-phase-2-study-2