Erenumab, an anti–calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-receptor monoclonal antibody, was shown in new research to be effective at reducing the number of days with rosacea-associated erythema and flushing in treated patients. 

"Treatment of erythema and flushing in rosacea is challenging," the authors wrote. "Calcitonin gene-related peptide has been associated with the pathogenesis of rosacea, raising the possibility that inhibition of the CGRP pathway might improve certain features of the disease."

The research team designed and conducted a single-center, open-label, single-group nonrandomized study that included 30 participants with rosacea with at least 15 days of either moderate to severe erythema and/or moderate to extreme flushing. Study participants received 140 mg of erenumab subcutaneously every 4 weeks over a 12-week span. The primary outcome of interest was mean change in the number of days with moderate to extreme flushing during weeks 9 through 12 versus the 4-week baseline period. 

According to the results, 27 participants completed the study. The mean number of days with moderate to extreme flushing was reduced by -6.9 days from 23.6 days at baseline (P < 0.001), and the mean number of days with moderate to severe erythema was reduced by -8.1 days from 15.2 at baseline (P < 0.001). The most commonly reported adverse events included transient mild to moderate constipation (3 participants) and upper respiratory tract infections (3 participants).

"These findings indicate that the calcitonin gene-related peptide pathway may be important in the pathophysiology of erythema and flushing in rosacea and that inhibition of the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor holds potential in treating rosacea-associated erythema and flushing," the researchers concluded.

Source: Wienholtz N, et al. JAMA Dermatology. 2024. Doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.0408