Clinical trial evaluates R. mucosa for atopic dermatitis
The inflammatory skin disease atopic dermatitis is characterized by decreased epidermal barrier function, susceptibility to S. aureus infection, and immune dysfunction. Recently, the commensal bacterium Roseomonas mucosa was shown to improve atopic dermatitis-like phenotypes in murine models. In this episode, Ian Myles and colleagues evaluate safety and efficacy of topical administration of R. mucosa in a small cohort of adults and children with atopic dermatitis. Overall, R. mucosa treatment was considered safe and reduced disease severity in both children and adults. The results from this initial study supports further evaluation of topical R. mucosa for treating atopic dermatitis.
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Abstract
The underlying pathology of atopic dermatitis (AD) includes impaired skin barrier function, susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus skin infection, immune dysregulation, and cutaneous dysbiosis. Our recent investigation into the potential role of Gram-negative skin bacteria in AD revealed that isolates of one particular commensal, Roseomonas mucosa, collected from healthy volunteers (HVs) improved outcomes in mouse and cell culture models of AD. In contrast, isolates of R. mucosa from patients with AD worsened outcomes in these models. These preclinical results suggested that interventions targeting the microbiome could provide therapeutic benefit for patients with AD. As a first test of this hypothesis in humans, 10 adult and 5 pediatric patients were enrolled in an open-label phase I/II safety and activity trial (the Beginning Assessment of Cutaneous Treatment Efficacy for Roseomonas in Atopic Dermatitis trial; BACTERiAD I/II). Treatment with R. mucosa was associated with significant decreases in measures of disease severity, topical steroid requirement, and S. aureus burden. There were no adverse events or treatment complications. We additionally evaluated differentiating bacterial metabolites and topical exposures that may contribute to the skin dysbiosis associated with AD and/or influence future microbiome-based treatments. These early results support continued evaluation of R. mucosa therapy with a placebo-controlled trial.
Authors
Ian A. Myles, Noah J. Earland, Erik D. Anderson, Ian N. Moore, Mark D. Kieh, Kelli W. Williams, Arhum Saleem, Natalia M. Fontecilla, Pamela A. Welch, Dirk A. Darnell, Lisa A. Barnhart, Ashleigh A. Sun, Gulbu Uzel, Sandip K. Datta
