196 Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand leflunomide exerts triple action to dampen the inflammatory skin disease atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in which patients suffer from red, itching skin lesions. Current therapeutics target disease-associated immune cells but neglect local skin-specific factors in AD and are not suitable for the majority of mild to moderate disease adult and pediatric patients. AHR activation has been described to reverse AD pathology and is increasingly recognized as a new therapeutic target. We use the approved drug leflunomide to activate the AHR and aim to gather biological evidence for a drug repositioning of leflunomide for the treatment of AD.