Eingun James Song, MD, is the director of clinical research for Frontier Dermatology. 

Eingun James Song, MD, FAAD 

Value of Utilizing Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparisons (MAICs) in Psoriasis

In this episode, "Value of Utilizing Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparisons (MAICs) in Psoriasis," the expert dermatologists explore the methodology behind matching adjusted indirect comparisons and their practical value in guiding evidence based treatment decisions for plaque psoriasis.

The panel opens by establishing that while head to head clinical trials remain the gold standard for comparing therapies, they are not always available. In their absence, matching adjusted indirect comparisons offer a more statistically rigorous alternative to simply comparing results across separate trials. The methodology is explained clearly: when patient level data is available for one drug and only aggregate mean demographic data is available for another, the patient level dataset can be adjusted and matched to the population characteristics of the comparator drug. This process accounts for known variables that can influence treatment outcomes, such as prior biologic exposure, disease severity, and the prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in the study population, resulting in a more balanced and meaningful comparison between the two therapies.

The panel emphasizes that matching adjusted indirect comparisons are not only valuable to manufacturers seeking to demonstrate their drug's performance to payers, but also serve as an important clinical decision making tool for dermatologists navigating treatment sequencing without direct comparative data. The discussion concludes with the panel reinforcing that patients who receive the most effective drug first tend to achieve better long term outcomes than those who cycle through multiple therapies, making the ability to identify a preferred agent through indirect comparison models a meaningful advantage in optimizing patient care.

The next episode in this series, "Evaluating Psoriasis Therapies using MAICs," features the panelists advancing their conversation on psoriasis and focusing on recent MAIC analyses comparing key IL-23 inhibitors and other biologic classes, highlighting how these indirect comparisons have demonstrated statistically significant efficacy differences across PASI endpoints and have since been validated by dedicated head to head clinical trials.

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Analyzing IL-23 Inhibitors in Psoriasis

This episode, titled "Analyzing IL-23 Inhibitors in Psoriasis," features panelists discussing the future of IL-23 targeted therapies and the practical considerations surrounding the anticipated shift toward oral treatment options in plaque psoriasis.

The panel opens by surveying the emerging therapeutic pipeline, noting that most innovations continue to target the IL-23 pathway either directly or indirectly, underscoring the cytokine's central role in psoriasis pathogenesis. Key agents discussed include an oral macrocyclic peptide IL-23 receptor blocker, which directly binds the receptor rather than the cytokine and has demonstrated complete skin clearance in approximately half of patients at 24 weeks, a level of efficacy described as unprecedented for an oral therapy and comparable to leading biologics. Two next generation TYK2 inhibitors are also highlighted, offering higher binding affinity and selectivity than existing options and indirectly antagonizing IL-23 signaling with more rapid and deeper responses. Additionally, a monoclonal antibody called ORKA-001 is discussed, notable for its half-life approximately four times greater than risankizumab and its potential for dosing intervals of every 6 to 12 months in responding patients.

From a safety standpoint, the panel notes that IL-23 targeted therapies continue to demonstrate a favorable profile, with only occasional mild adverse events such as upper respiratory tract infections or fungal infections.

The discussion then shifts to the practical implications of oral versus injectable IL-23 therapies in real world settings. The panel acknowledges that while clinical trials demonstrate strong efficacy for emerging oral agents, real world adherence remains an open question, with concerns around daily pill taking, administration requirements such as empty stomach dosing, and potential drug interactions. Injectable biologics are noted as having a relative adherence advantage given their infrequent dosing schedule and easier monitoring. The panel agrees that needle phobia, while real for some patients, affects a smaller population than commonly assumed, particularly when injections are spaced weeks or months apart. Ultimately, the panel expresses enthusiasm for expanded treatment options, emphasizing that real world evidence will be critical in determining how well emerging oral therapies perform outside of controlled trial settings.

In the next episode, "Value of Utilizing Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparisons (MAICs) in Psoriasis," panelists will continue their discussion on psoriasis and highlight the methodology and clinical value of matching adjusted indirect comparisons as a rigorous statistical tool for comparing biologic therapies in the absence of head to head trial data, and how this evidence can inform treatment sequencing decisions in real world practice.

Discussing Future of Amlitelimab, OX40/OX40L Treatment, With Eingun James Song, MD

This interview with Eingun James Song, MD, the director of clinical research for Frontier Dermatology, highlights Song’s views on the OX40/OX40 ligand pathway and OX-40-targeted therapies such as amlitelimab.

2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

 in Denver, Song was asked how he views the potential benefit of Sanofi's amlitelimab, for which they are moving ahead with regulatory submissions, in light of discontinuing rocatinlimab due to sarcoma cases.

“Everything that we have right now in atopic dermatitis is working on more downstream cytokines that are being released by these Th2 cells, by and large,” Song said. “...They are effective, but what oftentimes happens is when you stop the medication, the disease comes back relatively quickly.”

Song discusses OX-40-targeted therapies as a newer approach, intervening at the place at which the antigen-presenting cells interact with T cells. The idea, Song expressed, is if one could block the process at this stage, then a more durable remission could take place even when patients discontinue a treatment. Song reiterated his view on this type of therapy as a novel approach.

“There's potential for at least amlitelimab, which is an OX40-ligand inhibitor, that you can dose these patients every four or even every twelve weeks,” Song explained. “...Now that being said, it's important to note that there are two drugs that work on this pathway. One is called rocatinlimab, which is an OX40 receptor blocker, but it's also a depleter. It depletes those T cells. And that could maybe explain some of the adverse events that we've seen with rocatinlimab.”

Overall, Song expressed optimism on amletilimab’s having a role in dermatology care. Its implementation in treatment sequencing remains to be seen, Song suggested, but he noted his cautious optimism for this drug’s benefits for the right patient.

Song has reported serving as an investigator, consultant, and/or speaker for AbbVie, Alphyn Biologics, Amgen, Apogee, Arcutis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dermavant, DermBiont, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, LEO Pharma, MoonLake, Novartis, Ortho, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Timber Pharmaceuticals, and UCB.

Press Release: Sanofi’s amlitelimab met all primary and key secondary endpoints in the COAST 1 phase 3 study in adults and adolescents with atopic dermatitis. Sanofi.com. Published 2025. Accessed April 3, 2026. 

https://www.sanofi.com/en/media-room/press-releases/2025/2025-09-04-05-00-00-3144170

Kyowa Kirin announces discontinuation of rocatinlimab clinical trials. News release. Kyowa Kirin. March 3, 2026. Accessed April 3, 2026. 

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/03/3248303/0/en/Kyowa-Kirin-Announces-Discontinuation-of-Rocatinlimab-Clinical-Trials.html

In this AAD interview, Song highlights how he views the potential benefit of amlitelimab in light of discontinuing rocatinlimab.

Key Takeaways on JAK Inhibitors and Black Box Warnings, With Eingun James Song, MD

Eingun James Song, MD, spoke in an interview with 

 about dermatologists’ evolving understanding of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors at the 

Song, director of clinical research for Frontier Dermatology, emphasized the value of contextualizing safety data and interpreting boxed warnings with an increasing level of nuance. JAK inhibitors, Song noted, have generated significant discussion in recent years, largely given various concerns surrounding safety signals identified in clinical research.

“I think it really comes down to understanding trial designs and the population that are being studied, because whenever you look at clinical data, you have to understand what population or what type of patients were in the study,” Song explained.

In his discussion, Song described boxed warnings, while important, as not unique to JAK inhibitors. He stated they should not be interpreted as definitive indicators of risk across all patient populations. Instead, clinicians should normalize their existence and focus on individualized assessments of risk. Many safety concerns linked with JAK inhibitors, including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), were identified in trials involving older, comorbid populations, such as those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Such individuals will likely have a higher baseline risk of adverse events (AEs) independent of JAK use, complicating direct comparisons to dermatologic patient populations. Song additionally highlighted limitations in key studies related to JAK inhibitor therapies. Importantly, he noted, real-world data in dermatologic conditions such as atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata have not demonstrated a consistent rise in AEs among those treated with JAK inhibitors when matched for demographic and clinical risk factors.

“In other words, what I tell a patient is that if you have risk factors, these things are just more likely to happen to you whether or not you take the medication,” Song said. “And based on the data that we have, which admittedly isn't perfect, it doesn't seem to be appreciably higher than what [you] have.”

Emerging data from other indications, including hidradenitis suppurativa and vitiligo, further support JAK inhibitors’ generally favorable safety profile, with Song pointing to lower rates of serious AEs/ Longer-term placebo-controlled data, including 48-week trials, may be warranted to allow for additional reassurance as the evidence base continues to grow.

For further information on this discussion, view the full interview segment posted above.

Song E. F099 JAK Inhibitors in Dermatology: Identifying Ideal Candidates. Sesson presented at: 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27–31, 2026; Denver, CO.

Smith T. Rethinking the Black Box: JAK Inhibitors Find Their Place in Dermatology. HCPLive. October 21, 2025. April 2, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/rethinking-black-box-jak-inhibitors-find-their-place-dermatology

Song speaks about JAK inhibitors and their safety in dermatology care settings, contextualizing previous data on adverse events.

Eingun James Song, MD, FAAD

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