Effect of Benralizumab in Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema, is a common skin disease characterized by itchy lesions. The prevalence of AD has increased over the past few decades, with 15-30% of children and 2-10%of adults being affected. The lesions of AD patients are very inflamed, with an increased number of inflammatory cells in the skin. There are not many medications available that are fully effective and can be used long-term for treatment of atopic dermatitis. Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody used for treatment of a type of asthma called "eosinophilic asthma". Atopic dermatitis is also associated with elevated levels of eosinophils, and we would like to determine if benralizumab is effective in patients with atopic dermatitis. This is a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study will evaluate the effect of 3 doses of a fixed 30 mg dose of benralizumab administered subcutaneously (SC) every 4 weeks to patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, on the severity of atopic dermatitis, and the cellular inflammation of skin lesions in these patients. Anti-inflammatory properties of benralizumab when a skin flare is induced in a controlled laboratory setting, in addition to the effects of benralizumab on skin that is already inflamed will be examined.It is hypothesized that benralizumab will attenuate eosinophilic inflammation in the skin.