Highlighting FDA-Approved Therapies in Atopic Dermatitis, With Chris Bunick, MD, PhD

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, spoke about the rapidly shifting drug landscape in atopic dermatitis in a session held at the 2026 Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis (RAD) Conference in Nashville.1

Bunick functioned as a moderator of this ‘Avengers’-themed session, titled ‘Medical Crossfire and Clinical Case Challenge.’ During the session, he and the other panelists implemented a creative superhero-themed framework to guide those attending the talk through the strengths, limitations, and clinical applications of the growing number of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies for atopic dermatitis.

“I had to organize this Avengers team to deliver top-notch atopic dermatitis education on all the different FDA-approved therapies, including IL-4 receptor alpha blockers, IL-13 cytokine targeting agents, IL-31 receptor alpha blockers, and our oral JAK inhibitors,” Bunick explained.

Speaking with the HCPLive team, Bunick noted the session was designed to help clinicians navigate the modern landscape of medications for eczema using a case-based approach to the presentation. With multiple biologics and oral therapies now available, presenters explored the roles of IL-4 receptor alpha blockade, IL-13-targeted drugs, IL-31 receptor inhibitors, and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Each of the classes of therapeutics was looked at through real-world clinical scenarios.

In his interview, Bunick expressed the recurring theme throughout the discussion that atopic dermatitis continues to be a highly heterogeneous disease. Bunick viewed no single medication as helpful for every patient, highlighting the value of an expanding therapeutic armamentarium. He added that while currently available biologics and JAK inhibitors have significantly improved outcomes for many patients, clinicians continue to encounter individuals who require treatment switches, combination approaches, or alternative strategies when disease control remains suboptimal.

In his look toward the future of atopic dermatitis, Bunick spoke about several areas of ongoing research he believes may further reshape the atopic dermatitis management space. Among the most notable developments are medications targeting the OX40/OX40 ligand pathway. He noted these may offer a novel mechanism for modulating immune responses. Additionally, Bunick pointed to growing interest in emerging clinical trial data assessing these drugs. He suggested that continued research will help clarify their long-term efficacy and safety data.

Bunick has reported receiving consultant fees or serving as an investigator for AbbVie, Incyte, LEO Pharma and Pfizer.

References

1. Nguyen H, Bunick C, Cotter D, Shahriari M. Medical Crossfire and Clinical Case Challenge. Session presented at: 2026 Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference; June 17-19, 2026; Nashville, TN.