Alevicyn: A Better Approach in Treating Eczema

REDONDO BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 26, 2015 / Parents tending to a child with atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema, can be a non-stop job. It’s a bigger problem than many may realize. The National Eczema Association says that up to 30 million people deal with the condition characterized by sensitive, intensely itchy skin that is usually diagnosed when a person is a baby or young child. With eczema, the skin doesn’t properly do its job to protect the body from environmental irritants. Instead, it allows the irritants in, sending the immune system into attack mode and resulting in a rash. The lesions cause cracks in the skin, which then exposes the person to infections. For some kids, eczema can be a nightmare, unable to even sleep properly because they’re too occupied scratching until their skin bleeds excessively.

There is still no cure for atopic dermatitis, but there are a number of products that help control the symptoms, including immunosuppressive drugs and topical corticosteroids, although many come with “black box” warnings about possible side effects. For example, in 2006 the FDA approved updated labeling of tacrolimus, a drug marketed by Astellas Pharma
(OTC: ALPMY) as Protopic, as a second-line treatment for eczema with a possible cancer risk. In 2001, Protopic was the first non-steroid treatment approved for AD. Pimecrolimus, a related drug marketed in the U.S. by Valeant
Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: VRX) as Elidel, carries a similar warning. Neither product is approved for use in children under age two and are
only meant to be used after first-line treatments are ineffective.

Topical corticosteroids, such as Taro Pharma’s (NYSE: TARO) mometasone
furoate (Elocon), are a popular choice, but again side effects can be a
concern if not used specifically as directed with respect to frequency,
amount and duration of use. Side effects are often amplified in
children and the elderly. Well-recognized possible side effects of
corticosteroids include thinning of the skin (skin atrophy) and
permanent stretch marks (striae). Applying high potency corticosteroids
to large areas on the body can lead to systemic absorption and things
like adrenal suppression, a condition where the body’s ability to
produce cortisol – a steroid hormone released in response to stress and
low blood-glucose concentration – is reduced.

It’s not to say that under proper direction, eczema cannot be properly
and safely managed, but there is still an area of high unmet medical
need for improved and even safer treatments. Also, because of fear of
side effects, whether warranted or not, parents don’t get kids the
relief that they desperately need, according to Dr. Amy Paller, an
advisor to Parents magazine and chair of dermatology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

Better immune modulators are being evaluated, including Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) providing promising data on a study of dupilumab,
a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the proteins interleukin-4
(IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) to treat AD. Last November, the FDA
granted Breakthrough Therapy
designation to dupilumab for the treatment of adults with
moderate-to-severe AD who are not adequately controlled with topical
prescription therapy and/or for whom these treatments are not
appropriate.

Oculus Innovative Sciences (NASDAQ: OCLS), through its specialty
pharmaceutical unit Intraderm Pharmaceuticals, now offers its Alevicyn
franchise of products for treating AD. These products include Alevicyn Dermal Spray, Alevicyn Antipruritic Gel and Alevicyn Antipruritic SG,
all three of which are built upon Oculus’ Microcyn technology. Microcyn technology is centered on hypochlorous acid, an important, but
inherently unstable acid in the body that is a mast cell stabilizer with
antibacterial properties. Through a patented process, the hypochlorous
acid in Microcyn is stabilized, allowing therapeutic products to be
formulated for topical use.

Cumulatively, these recently launched, FDA-approved products deliver
pain and inflammation management while supporting tissue healing. Proven as a treatment for AD, wound care and more, the Microcyn-based
spray and gels bring another very important quality of having no side
effects or contraindications. The lack of side effects is attributable
to the fact that the hypochlorous acid that preserves the Microcyn
solution is similar to the natural hypochlorous acid produced by the
human body.

Another interesting point about the Alevicyn family is that testing has
shown the products to have no oral toxicity and to be non-genotoxic,
meaning that systemic risk is eliminated. Further, there has been no
evidence of the products causing ocular irritation, a definite benefit
not only in the short term but also in the long term, as frequent and
prolonged application of a topical corticosteroid to the eyelids can cause glaucoma and even cataracts.

We recently spoke on the phone with Dr. Firas Hougeir, a board certified
Dermatologist in the Atlanta area. The author of several publications,
Dr. Hougeir has presented his work worldwide and is considered an
opinion leader in his field. He has lectured on various skin diseases
and holds multiple national and international awards in recognition for
his work.

Dr. Hougeir stated, “With diagnoses rates of eczema in children
continuing to escalate, the Alevicyn products have been a welcome
addition to our clinic. We have been prescribing Alevicyn products as
adjuncts to steroid therapy since their inception for AD and other
dermatoses. In my experience, the anti-itch, cleansing and hydrating
properties of Alevicyn products ultimately result in reducing the use of
steroids to control the dermatoses. Importantly, Alevicyn is a safe
product with no major adverse events.”

It’s a tough road and often times a long haul for people and families
coping with eczema. Thanks to medical advancements and new products
coming to market, though, there is hope for a less itchy future.

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