Best systemic treatments for adults with atopic eczema over the long term
BEACON is a UK-wide research trial comparing commonly-prescribed systemic medicines used to treat adults with more severe eczema, to find out which treatment is most effective and preferable. The research team hopes the trial findings will help people with more severe eczema receive the best treatment for them first-time round in future.
The BEACON trial is assessing the effectiveness, tolerability and cost-effectiveness of methotrexate, dupilumab and abrocitinib (a Janus-kinase inhibitor or ‘JAK’ treatment) and ciclosporin in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic eczema. All these treatments are routinely used in the NHS. This is a head-to-head trial, assessing the effectiveness of these treatments compared to each other.
The BEACON researchers are assessing a range of measures including patient-reported symptoms, itch intensity, disease control, mental health (including depression and anxiety), safety, how tolerable the treatments are, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. The study includes the HOME core outcome set for atopic eczema to ensure the trial is investigating all the important aspects.
One of the most innovative aspects of BEACON is the trial platform design. It allows the research team to add new systemic treatments to the trial as these drugs are developed and introduced for use by the NHS.
The BEACON trial is led by Professor Catherine Smith (Programme Lead) and Dr Andrew Pink (Chief Investigator), consultant dermatologists at St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Smith is a national lead for eczema and psoriasis services. Dr Pink is the Director of the Adult Clinical Trials Unit at St. John’s Institute of Dermatology.
National Eczema Society is delighted to be working closely with the BEACON team to help make sure the study is patient-centred and do what we can to make it successful!
BEACON is recruiting patients now! The researchers are looking to recruit 402 patients who are eligible for systemic treatment for their eczema. For a list of the participating hospitals and information about how you can take part, go to www.beacontrial.org.
Map of the location of current Beacon Trial Sites in UK.
Once results from BEACON are ready, we’ll share them with the eczema community and our professional dermatology networks, to spread the word and help more people with eczema find the best systemic treatment for them.