THE ANTI-INTERLEUKIN-31 ANTIBODY LOKIVETMAB AS A NEW ADDITIONAL OPTION FOR CANINE ATOPIC DERMATITIS MANAGEMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19630172Keywords:
Canine, Cytopoint, Lokivetmab, Anti-IL-31 antibody, AD therapyAbstract
Background: The therapy and long term management of atopic dermatitis (AD) in dogs is a complex multicomponent process that may include various therapeutic modalities and approaches based on the various factors involved in the disease. There is no universal therapeutic plan for every patient with atopy. The multi-modal approach may include local and systemic corticosteroids, cyslosporin, oclacitinib, medical bathing, lo-cal ceramides, allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT) and Lokivetmab. Lokivetmab is a caninised monoclo-nal antibody against interleukin (IL)- 31. The unique design of anti-IL-31 antibody determines its high safety - Lokivetmab will work in all cases where pruritus is IL-31 related. Lokivetmab is an effective additional treatment option for the acutгe pruritus in dog with allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT).
Objectives: The main objective of this study is to show that anti-IL-31 antibody can provide a rapid and effective reduction of pruritus in atopic dermatitis (AD) dogs that are being successfully managed through an ASIT protocol.
Animals: 9 dogs with AD on ASIT protocol.
Materials and Methods: Included in this study were 9 dogs with AD (n=9), aged between 2.5 and 7 years, that have presented in Multidisciplinary Veterinary Clinic Bulgaria between August 2024 and February 2025 with pruritus on ASIT protocol. All medical procedures were performed in accordance to animal welfare laws and regulations and with the written permission of the owners. Skin condition was monitored by surface cytology, while pruritus severity was assessed using the validated PVAS scale, and all dogs followed a stand-ardized treatment protocol including ASIT and lokivetmab and parasite control, with exclusion of other sys-temic or topical therapies prior to evaluation.
Results: Skin cytology in all dogs revealed no bacteria, inflammatory cells, or yeast- excluding second-ary microbial overgrowth as a cause of pruritus. Pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) scores showed a marked and rapid reduction in itching severity over time in most dogs, with pruritus reaching clinically controlled levels in the majority by day 7 and remaining stable through day 28. One dog exhibited persistent mild to moderate pruritus despite improvement in the group overall.
Conclusion: Lokivetmab has been established as a new additional option for reducing pruritus in epi-sodоes of increased pruritus in patient with AD successfully managed long- term with ASIT protocol.
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