Summary of Clinical Use

This antibody was originally tested as a treatment for refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma but was later repurposed as a potential asthma treatment [2]. The antibody entered Phase 2 trial for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and Phase 3 trial for asthma. Business reports online indicate that Roche have discontinued lebrikizumab development in IPF following mixed results from their trials [1]. Click here to view ClinicalTrails.gov's listing of current lebrikizumab trials. Lebrikizumab was redirected for inflammatory skin conditions. The FDA rejected a Biologics License Application (BLA) for lebrikizumab for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in late 2023, but the EMA approved its use for this indication in November 2023.

Mechanism Of Action and Pharmacodynamic Effects

IL-13 induces airway hyperresponsiveness, goblet cell metaplasia and mucus hypersecretion in allergic lung diseases such as asthma [6]. These changes contribute to airway obstruction. Lebrikizumab was designed to neutralise circulating IL-13, thereby reducing disease symptoms [5].