Nemolizumab Maintains Deep Skin and Itch Responses Through 3 Years in Atopic Dermatitis

New long-term data suggest that patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) who respond early to nemolizumab (Nemluvio; Galderma) may maintain deep improvements in both skin lesions and itch through 3 years of treatment.

The findings, announced by Galderma ahead of presentation at the 2026 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference, include a new post-hoc analysis of the ongoing ARCADIA long-term extension (LTE) study evaluating adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe AD.

Among patients who achieved a response by week 16, improvements were largely maintained through week 152. At 3 years, 80% achieved at least a 90% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-90), while 80% reached an itch-free or nearly itch-free state. Additionally, 76% achieved clear or almost-clear skin and 50% achieved complete skin clearance.

Sustained Disease Control Through 3 Years

The ARCADIA LTE study is evaluating the long-term safety and efficacy of nemolizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe AD following participation in previous clinical studies.

The new post-hoc analysis focused on patients who had achieved clinically meaningful skin and itch responses at week 16 and examined whether those responses were maintained with continued treatment.

Among week 16 responders, response rates remained high through week 152. Approximately 4 in 5 patients maintained EASI-90 and itch-free or nearly itch-free responses, while approximately half achieved complete skin clearance after 3 years of treatment.

The findings complement a separate prespecified interim analysis of the broader ARCADIA LTE population. That analysis demonstrated sustained improvements across skin lesions, itch, sleep disturbance, and quality of life through week 152, with no new safety signals identified.

In the broader LTE population, previous 3-year results showed that up to 91% of evaluable patients achieved EASI-75, up to 75% achieved EASI-90, and up to 67% achieved clear or almost-clear skin. Up to 88% achieved clinically meaningful itch relief, and up to 73% reached an itch-free or nearly itch-free state.

Targeting the IL-31 Pathway

Nemolizumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin (IL)-31 receptor alpha, inhibiting signaling of IL-31, a neuroimmune cytokine involved in itch and other manifestations of AD.

The long-term findings add to growing evidence examining whether targeted inhibition of the IL-31 pathway can provide durable control of both visible disease and itch—an important consideration given the chronic nature of AD and the substantial burden associated with persistent pruritus.

Sustained symptom control may be particularly relevant for adolescents, for whom AD can affect sleep, emotional well-being, self-consciousness, social relationships, and overall quality of life.

Pediatric Data Show Sustained Responses

Additional phase 2 data being presented at Fall Clinical evaluate nemolizumab in children aged 2 to 11 years with moderate-to-severe AD.

In the pediatric study, clinically meaningful reductions in skin lesions and itch observed at week 16 were sustained through week 52. The study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of nemolizumab in this younger population.

These findings build on previously reported results demonstrating sustained improvements through 1 year and extend the clinical development program for nemolizumab beyond its currently studied adult and adolescent populations.

Together, the analyses presented at Fall Clinical add to the long-term evidence surrounding IL-31 pathway inhibition in AD, with the 3-year ARCADIA findings suggesting that patients who achieve early skin and itch responses may maintain substantial disease control with continued nemolizumab treatment.

References

1. Galderma. Fall Clinical 2026: Galderma presents new three-year Nemluvio data showing deep and lasting responses in atopic dermatitis. Published October 8, 2026. Accessed October 9, 2026. Galderma Fall Clinical 2026 release
2. Galderma. Three-year Nemluvio data demonstrate sustained improvements in skin lesions and itch in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Published September 30, 2026. Accessed October 9, 2026.
3. Galderma. Nemolizumab phase 2 data demonstrate sustained improvements in skin lesions and itch in children aged 2 to 11 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Published 2026. Accessed October 9, 2026.