Infection risk in atopic dermatitis patients treated with biologics and JAK inhibitors: BioDay results

van der Gang LF, Atash K, Zuithoff NPA, Haeck I, Boesjes CM, Bacoş-Cosma OI, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2025; 00: 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20674

Abstract

Background

Limited data exist on the comparative risk of infections during biologic and Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD) in daily practice.

Objective

To assess the differential infection risk of biologic and JAKi treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe AD in a real-world setting.

Methods

This prospective, multicentre study evaluated treatment-emergent infections in patients (age ≥ 12 years) using biologics or JAKi from the BioDay registry from October 2017 to July 2024. Crude incidence rates were calculated per 100 patient-years (PY) per treatment. Cox regression for recurrent events, adjusted for potential confounders, was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for the rate of infections, with subgroup and sensitivity analyses in bio-/JAKi-naïve patients.

Results

Graphical Abstract

In total 1793 patients were included (4044.1 PY; 1886 biologic treatment episodes (TEs); 480 JAKi), with 794 infections. JAKi showed higher infection rates (58.4–65.5/100 PY) compared to biologics (13.6–22.0), especially for herpes infections (n = 195, 24.6%; JAKi 13.6–19.8 vs. biologicals 3.0–3.6). Cox regression indicated increased rates with JAKi (abrocitinib HR 4.1, 95% CI: 3.1–5.5; baricitinib HR 4.2, 95% CI: 2.9–6.2; upadacitinib HR 4.0, 95% CI: 3.2–5.0; all p < 0.0001) and a slight increase with tralokinumab (HR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0–2.0, p = 0.039) compared to dupilumab.

Sensitivity analyses confirmed these results, except for tralokinumab. Rates of severe infections were higher with JAKi compared to dupilumab, although absolute numbers were low and associations were not consistently significant. History of infection, predominantly viral or fungal skin infections (HR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.4–2.6, p < 0.0001; 2.4, 1.3–4.4, p = 0.003, resp.), was identified as an independent factor associated with infection.

Conclusion

This cohort study demonstrated an increased risk of infection during JAKi treatment compared to dupilumab for moderate-to-severe AD. These findings enhance understanding of the differential infection risk with targeted therapies in AD, aiding tailored treatment choices that consider patient-specific risks such as prior skin infections.

Why was the study undertaken?

Comparative evidence on infection risk with biologic and Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) treatment in atopic dermatitis (AD) is limited. This study evaluates these risks in a real-world clinical setting.

What does this study add?

This cohort study of 1793 AD patients (aged ≥ 12) found higher infection rates with JAKi treatment compared to biologics, particularly for herpes infections, with a history of viral or fungal skin infection as a risk factor associated with infection.

What are the implications of this study for disease understanding and/or clinical care?

These findings enhance understanding of the differential infection risk with targeted systemic therapies in AD, aiding tailored treatment choices that consider patient-specific risks such as a history of prior infections.

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