Efalizumab for Eczema

The study involves administration of efalizumab (previously approved for psoriasis) to ten adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Biologic plausibility rests on similarities in pathophysiology of the two conditions. The drug (efalizumab) will be administered according to the dosing approved for plaque psoriasis for a period of 24 weeks. The subjects will self-administer efalizumab weekly and measurements will be performed on a monthly basis. Efalizumab is not being compared to placebo or other drugs.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults (18 years or older) with atopic dermatitis with 5% or more body surface area involvement
• Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score of "moderate" or worse
• In general good health with well-controlled medical problems
• Ability to provide written informed consent and comply with study assessments for the full duration of the study.
• If a female of childbearing potential, a negative pregnancy test and commitment to the use of two forms of effective contraception (birth control) for the duration of the study are necessary.
• If a non-sterile male, commitment to the use of two forms of effective contraception (birth control) for the duration of the study is necessary.
• Normal platelet count

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with known hypersensitivity to efalizumab or any of its components
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Patients receiving immunosuppressive agents
• Prior enrollment in the study
• Participation in another simultaneous medical investigation or trial
• IGA score of "mild," "almost clear" or "clear"
• Systemic therapy for atopic dermatitis, phototherapy or topical therapy (other than moisturizer) within 1 week
• Medical condition which would make use of efalizumab unsafe; would limit compliance with study requirements; or would limit accurate assessment of efficacy.
• Ongoing, active, serious infection
• History of malignancy (except excised basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin)