A new era in atopic dermatitis treatment and evolving therapeutic strategies

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder whose pathophysiology remained poorly understood until recently. For decades, treatment relied primarily on topical corticosteroids, with no therapies specifically targeting its underlying mechanisms. However, the introduction of dupilumab in 2017 – the first biologic for AD – marked a turning point, catalyzing rapid advances in both therapeutic strategies and pathophysiological insights. As of 2025, four biologics and three oral Janus kinase inhibitors have been approved for clinical use. Additionally, novel topical therapies with distinct mechanisms of action have emerged. Although certain challenges still remain with the use of these novel treatments, AD is increasingly becoming a condition that can be effectively controlled in a wide range of patients.