Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis: Progress and Outlook

• Published in: Drugs (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2017-09, Vol.77 (13), p.1389-1397
• Main Authors: Ahluwalia, Jusleen, Udkoff, Jeremy, Waldman, Andrea, Borok, Jenna, Eichenfield, Lawrence F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anisoles - chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - adverse effects; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - chemistry; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Atopic dermatitis; Boron Compounds - chemistry; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic - chemistry; Clinical trials; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4 - metabolism; Cytokines; Dermatitis; Dermatitis, Atopic - drug therapy; Drug dosages; Eczema; Humans; Inflammation; Inhibitors; Internal Medicine; Kinases; Leading Article; Leukocytes; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nitriles - chemistry; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacotherapy; Phosphodiesterase; Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors - adverse effects; Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors - chemistry; Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors - pharmacology; Phosphodiesterase IV; Phthalic Acids - chemistry; Proteins; Quinazolines - chemistry; Signal transduction; Studies
• ISSN: 0012-6667; 1179-1950
• DOI: 10.1007/s40265-017-0784-3

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a cyclic AMP degrading enzyme in leukocytes. Several decades ago, increased PDE activity was demonstrated in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Currently, several PDE4 inhibitors in both topical and oral formulation have been developed to target the inflammatory cascade of AD. This review shows the pathogenic rationale behind these inhibitors, and discusses multiple PDE4 inhibitors that are under evaluation or in the market. PDE4 inhibitors may be considered as favorable agents in the repertoire of current interventions for AD.