Atopic Dermatitis: Integrating Mechanisms, Therapeutics, and Patient-Centered Outcomes

This Research Topic will assemble high-quality work across the translational spectrum of atopic dermatitis (AD) to connect mechanistic insight with therapeutic decision making and measurable benefits for patients. We welcome submissions that clarify immune and neuroimmune pathways, barrier dysfunction, and the cutaneous microenvironment; that translate these insights into druggable targets and modalities (small molecules, biologics, bispecifics/tri-specifics, peptides, RNA-based therapies, and cell- or vector-enabled delivery); and that evaluate outcomes in clinical trials and real-world settings. Patient-centered outcomes are central, including itch and pain intensity and relief, sleep, daily function, quality of life, and treatment burden. We encourage work distinguishing pruritus from AD-related pain and examining shared/divergent mechanisms and trajectories of response.

We invite Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Perspectives, Brief Research Reports and Methods. Both hypothesis-driven studies and practice-informing evidence are appropriate.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Pathobiology: Th2 and Th22 signaling, JAK1 and TYK2 pathways, IL-13 and IL-31 axes, OX40 and OX40L, neuroimmune circuits of itch and pain, peripheral and central sensitization, barrier biology, microbiome interactions.
• Targets & pharmacology: selectivity, SAR, PK/PD, exposure–response; predictive/prognostic biomarkers; engineering and mechanism of bispecifics/tri-specifics, multivalent antibodies, and peptide therapeutics.
• Modalities & delivery: small molecules; antibodies and antibody fragments; bispecific/tri-specific formats; peptides; RNA therapies; depot and long-acting injectables; topical, transdermal, nanoparticle, liposomal, microneedle, device-enabled, and cell-mediated delivery; in vivo/ex vivo models of itch and pain.
• Preclinical models and delivery: in vivo and ex vivo models of itch and pain, formulation science, topical and systemic delivery, device-enabled and cell-mediated delivery.
• Clinical research: pivotal trials, onset and durability of effect, switching and sequencing strategies, treat-to-target frameworks that include pain and itch.
• Real-world evidence: effectiveness, adherence, utilization patterns, corticosteroid stewardship, access and equity.
• Measurement science: validation and use of patient-reported outcomes and digital endpoints, including worst pain NRS, pain interference, composite itch–pain endpoints, and ecological momentary assessment.


Dr. Ayman Grada, MD, serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Biology of Skin Foundation, and a Medical Director for dermatology at AbbVie. These roles are unrelated to the submitted work and did not influence its conception, conduct, analysis, or reporting. No funding or other support from these entities was received for this work.
Dr. Christopher G. Bunick and Dr. Giovanni Damiani declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: atopic dermatitis; pruritus; pain; JAK1; TYK2; IL-13; IL-31; OX40; neuroimmune; bispecific; trispecific; peptide; multivalent antibody; RNA therapy; barrier dysfunction; biomarkers; treat to target; real-world evidence

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.