Emerging Therapeutic Options for Chronic Pruritus

Am J Clin Dermatol. 2020 Oct;21(5):601-618. doi: 10.1007/s40257-020-00534-y.

Abstract

Chronic pruritus, defined as an unpleasant sensation resulting in a need to scratch that lasts more than 6 weeks, is a prevalent and bothersome symptom associated with both cutaneous and systemic conditions. Due to complex pathogenesis and profuse contributing factors, chronic pruritus therapy remains challenging. Regardless of the well-established antipruritic properties of classic pharmacotherapy (topical therapy, phototherapy and systemic therapy), these methods often provide insufficient relief for affected individuals. Owing to the growing interest in the field of pruritic research, further experimental and clinical data have emerged, continuously supporting the possibility of instigating novel therapeutic measures. This review covers the most relevant current modalities remaining under investigation that possess promising perspectives of approval in the near future, especially opioidergic drugs (mu-opioid antagonists and kappa-opioid agonists), neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists, biologic drugs, Janus kinase inhibitors, ileal bile acid transporter inhibitors, aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists and histamine H4 receptor antagonists.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Antipruritics / therapeutic use
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / agonists
  • Biological Factors / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease / therapy
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Phototherapy / methods
  • Pruritus / drug therapy*
  • Pruritus / etiology
  • Pruritus / psychology
  • Quality of Life
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / agonists
  • Receptors, Histamine H4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa / agonists
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Skin / innervation
  • Skin / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • AHR protein, human
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Antipruritics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Biological Factors
  • HRH4 protein, human
  • Janus Kinase Inhibitors
  • Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • Receptors, Histamine H4
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu