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Langerhans cells (LCs) are distinct among phagocytes, functioning both as embryo-derived, tissue-resident macrophages in skin innervation and repair and as migrating professional antigen-presenting cells, a function classically assigned to dendritic cells (DCs). Here, we demonstrate that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors imprint this dual identity. Using ablation of embryo-derived LCs in the murine adult skin and tracking differentiation of incoming monocyte-derived replacements, we found intrinsic intraepidermal heterogeneity. We observed that ontogenically distinct monocytes give rise to LCs. Within the epidermis, Jagged-dependent activation of Notch signaling, likely within the hair follicle niche, provided an initial site of LC commitment before metabolic adaptation and survival of monocyte-derived LCs. In the human skin, embryo-derived LCs in newborns retained transcriptional evidence of their macrophage origin, but this was superseded by DC-like immune modules after postnatal expansion. Thus, adaptation to adult skin niches replicates conditioning of LC at birth, permitting repair of the embryo-derived LC network. Editor's summary: Langerhans cells (LCs) are specialized skin-resident antigen-presenting cells that not only share developmental origins with tissue-resident macrophages but also acquire the dendritic cell–like ability to migrate to draining lymph nodes. How this dual LC identity is imprinted and maintained is not completely understood. Using a mouse model of adult LC repopulation, Appios et al. found that both the developmental origin of repopulating monocytes and epidermal niche signaling imprint LC identity. A subset of infiltrating monocytes underwent stepwise differentiation involving loss of Zeb2-regulated macrophage identity, Jagged/Notch-dependent imprinting of LC fate, and survival signals in the epidermis. Similar developmental programs were detected among human embryo–derived LCs in postnatal skin. Together, these findings identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors guiding LC specification in the skin. —Claire Olingy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic used for Gram‐positive bacterial infections, has been linked with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) in HLA‐A*32:01‐expressing individuals. This is associated with activation of T lymphocytes, for which glycolysis has been isolated as a fuel pathway following antigenic stimulation. However, the metabolic processes that underpin drug‐reactive T‐cell activation are currently undefined and may shed light on the energetic conditions needed for the elicitation of drug hypersensitivity or tolerogenic pathways. Here, we sought to characterise the immunological and metabolic pathways involved in drug‐specific T‐cell activation within the context of DRESS pathogenesis using vancomycin as model compound and drug‐reactive T‐cell clones (TCCs) generated from healthy donors and vancomycin‐hypersensitive patients. Methods: CD4+ and CD8+ vancomycin‐responsive TCCs were generated by serial dilution. The Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer was used to measure the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) as an indicator of glycolytic function. Additionally, T‐cell proliferation and cytokine release (IFN‐γ) assay were utilised to correlate the bioenergetic characteristics of T‐cell activation with in vitro assays. Results: Model T‐cell stimulants induced non‐specific T‐cell activation, characterised by immediate augmentation of ECAR and rate of ATP production (JATPglyc). There was a dose‐dependent and drug‐specific glycolytic shift when vancomycin‐reactive TCCs were exposed to the drug. Vancomycin‐reactive TCCs did not exhibit T‐cell cross‐reactivity with structurally similar compounds within proliferative and cytokine readouts. However, cross‐reactivity was observed when analysing energetic responses; TCCs with prior specificity for vancomycin were also found to exhibit glycolytic switching after exposure to teicoplanin. Glycolytic activation of TCC was HLA restricted, as exposure to HLA blockade attenuated the glycolytic induction. Conclusion: These studies describe the glycolytic shift of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells following vancomycin exposure. Since similar glycolytic switching is observed with teicoplanin, which did not activate T cells, it is possible the master switch for T‐cell activation is located upstream of metabolic signalling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition. While other chronic inflammatory conditions are associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), associations between AD and VTE have not been established. Objectives We examined whether AD is associated with an increased risk of VTE in a population-based study. Methods Electronic health records were extracted from UK general practices contributing to the Optimum Patient Care Research Database (1 January 2010 to 1 January 2020). All adults with AD were identified (n = 150 975) and age- and sex-matched with unaffected controls (n = 603 770). The risk of VTE, consisting of pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), was compared in people with AD vs. controls using Cox proportional hazard models. PE and DVT were examined separately as secondary outcomes. Results We identified 150 975 adults with active AD and matched them with 603 770 unaffected controls. During the study, 2576 of those with active AD and 7563 of the matched controls developed VTE. Individuals with AD had a higher risk of VTE than controls [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.22]. When assessing VTE components, AD was associated with a higher risk of DVT (aHR 1.30, 95% CI 1.23–1.37) but not PE (aHR 0.94, 95% CI 0.87–1.02). The VTE risk was greater in older people with AD (≥ 65 years: aHR 1.22, 95% CI 1.15–1.29; 45–65 years: aHR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05–1.26; < 45 years: aHR 1.07, 95% CI 0.97–1.19) and those with obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30: aHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.12–1.39; BMI < 30: aHR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.15). Risk was broadly consistent across mild, moderate or severe AD. Conclusions AD is associated with a small increase in risk of VTE and DVT, with no increase in risk of PE. The magnitude of this risk increase is modest in younger people, and those without obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Acute cutaneous inflammation causes microbiome alterations as well as ultrastructural changes in epidermis stratification. However, the interactions between keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation status and the skin microbiome have not been fully explored. Objectives Hypothesizing that the skin microbiome contributes to regulation of keratinocyte differentiation and can modify antimicrobial responses, we examined the effect of exposure to commensal (Staphylococcus epidermidis , SE) or pathogenic (Staphylococcus aureus , SA) challenge on epidermal models. Methods Explant biopsies were taken to investigate species-specific antimicrobial effects of host factors. Further investigations were performed in reconstituted epidermal models by bulk transcriptomic analysis alongside secreted protein profiling. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis was performed to explore the keratinocyte populations responsible for SA inflammation. A dataset of 6391 keratinocytes from control (2044 cells), SE challenge (2028 cells) and SA challenge (2319 cells) was generated from reconstituted epidermal models. Results Bacterial lawns of SA, not SE, were inhibited by human skin explant samples, and microarray analysis of three-dimensional epidermis models showed that host antimicrobial peptide expression was induced by SE but not SA. Protein analysis of bacterial cocultured models showed that SA exposure induced inflammatory mediator expression, indicating keratinocyte activation of other epidermal immune populations. Single-cell DropSeq analysis of unchallenged naive, SE-challenged and SA-challenged epidermis models was undertaken to distinguish cells from basal, spinous and granular layers, and to interrogate them in relation to model exposure. In contrast to SE, SA specifically induced a subpopulation of spinous cells that highly expressed transcripts related to epidermal inflammation and antimicrobial response. Furthermore, SA, but not SE, specifically induced a basal population that highly expressed interleukin-1 alarmins. Conclusions These findings suggest that SA-associated remodelling of the epidermis is compartmentalized to different keratinocyte populations. Elucidating the mechanisms regulating bacterial sensing-triggered inflammatory responses within tissues will enable further understanding of microbiome dysbiosis and inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic eczema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in atopic dermatitis (AD) disease course and manifestation with age may extend to treatment response. To evaluate response maintenance with continuous-/reduced-dose abrocitinib or withdrawal and response to treatment reintroduction after flare in adolescent and adult participants in JADE REGIMEN (NCT03627767). Adolescents (12–17 years) and adults with moderate-to-severe AD responding to abrocitinib 200-mg induction were randomly assigned to 40-week maintenance with abrocitinib (200 mg/100 mg) or placebo. Patients who experienced flare during maintenance received rescue treatment. Of 246 adolescents and 981 adults, 145/246 (58.9%) and 655/981 (66.8%), respectively, responded to induction. Similar proportions of adolescents and adults experienced flare during maintenance with abrocitinib 200 mg (14.9%/16.9%), 100 mg (42.9%/38.9%), and placebo (75.5%/78.0%). From the abrocitinib 200-mg, 100-mg, and placebo arms, respectively, Eczema Area and Severity Index response was recaptured by 28.6%, 25.0%, and 52.9% of adolescents and 34.3%, 33.7%, and 58.0% of adults; Investigator's Global Assessment response, by 42.9%, 50.0%, and 73.5% of adolescents and 34.3%, 50.6%, and 74.1% of adults. Abrocitinib had a similar safety profile regardless of age; nausea incidence was higher in adolescents. Adolescents represented 20% of the trial population. Abrocitinib was effective in preventing flare in adolescents and adults.Clinicaltrials.gov listing: NCT03627767. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The success of early dexamethasone therapy for hospitalised COVID-19 cases in treatment of Sars-CoV-2 infection may predominantly reflect its anti-inflammatory action against a hyperinflammation (HI) response. It is likely that there is substantial heterogeneity in HI responses in COVID-19. Methods: Blood CRP, ferritin, neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet counts were scored to assess HI (HI5) and combined with a validated measure of generalised medical deterioration (NEWS2) before day 2. Our primary outcome was 28 day mortality from early treatment with dexamethasone stratified by HI5-NEWS2 status. Findings: Of 1265 patients, high risk of HI (high HI5-NEWS2) (n = 367, 29.0%) conferred a strikingly increased mortality (36.0% vs 7.8%; Age adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 5.9; 95% CI 3.6–9.8, p<0.001) compared to the low risk group (n = 455, 36.0%). An intermediate risk group (n = 443, 35.0%) also showed significantly higher mortality than the low risk group (17.6% vs 7.8%), aHR 2.2, p = 0.005). Early dexamethasone treatment conferred a 50.0% reduction in mortality in the high risk group (36.0% to 18.0%, aHR 0.56, p = 0.007). The intermediate risk group showed a trend to reduction in mortality (17.8% to 10.3%, aHR 0.82, p = 0.46) which was not observed in the low risk group (7.8% to 9.2%, aHR 1.4, p = 0.31). Interpretation: Higher HI5-NEWS2 scores measured at COVID-19 diagnosis, strongly associate with increased mortality at 28 days. Significant reduction in mortality with early dexamethasone treatment was only observed in the high risk group. Therefore, the HI5-NEWS2 score could be utilised to stratify randomised clinical trials to test whether intensified anti-inflammatory therapy would further benefit high risk patients and whether alternative approaches would benefit low risk groups. Considering its recognised morbidity, we suggest that early dexamethasone should not be routinely prescribed for HI5-NEWS2 low risk individuals with COVID-19 and clinicians should cautiously assess the risk benefit of this intervention in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Standards of Care Committee of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) and a committee of experts and key stakeholders have developed this guideline for the evaluation and testing of patients with an unsubstantiated label of penicillin allergy. The guideline is intended for UK clinicians who are not trained in allergy or immunology, but who wish to develop a penicillin allergy de‐labelling service for their patients. It is intended to supplement the BSACI 2015 guideline "Management of allergy to penicillin and other beta‐lactams" and therefore does not detail the epidemiology or aetiology of penicillin allergy, as this is covered extensively in the 2015 guideline (1). The guideline is intended for use only in patients with a label of penicillin allergy and does not apply to other beta‐lactam allergies. The recommendations include a checklist to identify patients at low risk of allergy and a framework for the conduct of drug provocation testing by non‐allergists. There are separate sections for adults and paediatrics within the guideline, in recognition of the common differences in reported allergy history and likelihood of true allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) maintain immune homeostasis in the skin. To examine transcriptional programming of human primary LCs during homeostasis, we performed scRNA-seq analysis of LCs before and after migration from the epidermis, coupled with functional assessment of their regulatory T cell priming capabilities. The analysis revealed that steady-state LCs exist in a continuum of maturation states and upregulate antigen presentation genes along with an immunoregulatory module including the genes IDO1, LGALS1, LAMTOR1, IL4I, upon their migration. The migrationinduced transition in genomic state is accompanied by the ability of LCs to more efficiently prime regulatory T cell responses in co-culture assays. Computational analyses of the scRNAseq datasets using SCENIC and Partial Information Decomposition in Context identified a set of migration-induced transcription factors including IRF4, KLF6 and RelB as key nodes within a immunoregulatory gene regulatory network. These findings support a model in which efficient priming of immunoregulatory responses by LCs is dependent on coordinated upregulation of a migration-coupled maturation program with a immunoregulation-promoting genomic module. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most severe forms of cutaneous adverse drug reactions is "drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms" (DRESS), hence subsequent avoidance of the causal drug is imperative. However, attribution of drug culpability in DRESS is challenging and standard skin allergy tests are not recommended due to patient safety reasons. Whilst incidence of DRESS is relatively low, between 1:1000 and 1:10 000 drug exposures, antibiotics are a commoner cause of DRESS and absence of confirmatory diagnostic test can result in unnecessary avoidance of efficacious treatment. We therefore sought to identify potential biomarkers for development of a diagnostic test in antibiotic-associated DRESS. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a "discovery" cohort (n  = 5) challenged to causative antibiotic or control were analyzed for transcriptomic profile. A panel of genes was then tested in a validation cohort (n  = 6) and compared with tolerant controls and other inflammatory conditions which can clinically mimic DRESS. A scoring system to identify presence of drug hypersensitivity was developed based on gene expression alterations of this panel. The DRESS transcriptomic panel identified antibiotic-DRESS cases in a validation cohort but was not altered in other inflammatory conditions. Machine learning or differential expression selection of a biomarker panel consisting of 6 genes (STAC, GPR183, CD40, CISH, CD4, and CCL8) showed high sensitivity and specificity (100% and 85.7%–100%, respectively) for identification of the culprit drug in these cohorts of antibiotic-associated DRESS. Further work is required to determine whether the same panel can be repeated for larger cohorts, different medications, and other T-cell-mediated drug hypersensitivity reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aims In atopic dermatitis (AD), induction of inflammatory responses regulated by cytokines such as of thymic stromal lymphopoietin exacerbate the disrupted integrity of the skin barrier. Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13 and IL-22, present in the skin milieu, bind to their corresponding receptors on the cell surface of keratinocytes, activating multiple signal transduction pathways that lead to changes in the gene expression profile of keratinocytes, in part, by modulating chromatin structure. Understanding the intricate interplay between cytokine-mediated signalling pathways in keratinocytes and the resulting epigenetic changes is essential for elucidating the pathogenesis of AD. In this study, we utilized high-throughput technology to examine the effects of cytokines on modulation of the epigenetic landscape at the keratinocyte single-cell level, and subsequent effects on the gene expression. Methods We utilized the reconstructed human epidermis model, an in vitro three-dimensional human epidermis model consisting of a polycarbonate membrane and keratinocytes mimicking the structure of native human epidermis. Following exposure to AD cytokine(s), the model gene expression and chromatin accessibility of target cells were analysed using single-cell multiomics approaches. Results Our preliminary data show that IL-4, IL-13 and IL-22 reduce the expression levels of the barrier-related gene filaggrin in keratinocytes. Conclusions Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic alterations are dynamic and can be restored to their normal state, which has major implications for the development of therapeutics for various diseases. This study will provide valuable insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying AD and present potential targets for epigenetic-related therapeutic interventions. These interventions can be used in combination with available compounds to reduce the recurrence of AD and improve the treatment efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Background The efficacy of monotherapy lebrikizumab to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) has been established in phase 3 studies. Disease characteristics and efficacy outcomes may vary among racial and ethnic subgroups. Objectives: To report the week 16 efficacy results of lebrikizumab-treated patients by racial and ethnic subgroups from ADvocate1 (NCT04146363) and ADvocate2 (NCT04178967). Methods: Eligible patients were randomized 2:1 to receive lebrikizumab or placebo every 2 weeks. Other AD treatments during this induction period were prohibited. The week 16 efficacy endpoints reported here include Investigator's Global Assessment 0 or 1 with =2-point improvement from baseline (IGA 0/1), =75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index from baseline (EASI 75), =90% improvement in EASI from baseline (EASI 90), and =4-point Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) improvement from baseline. Race and ethnicity were self-reported. Data were collected globally. Data were pooled from ADvocate1 (Intent to Treat [ITT]) and ADvocate2 (modified ITT). Subsequent data from patients who received topical or systemic rescue medication or discontinued treatment due to lack of efficacy were imputed as nonresponders. Subsequent data from patients who discontinued treatment for other reasons were set to missing. Missing data were handled with multiple imputation. Logistic regression tested the interaction between the treatment by subgroup. P>0.1 indicated consistent treatment effect of lebrikizumab versus placebo across subgroups. For each outcome, the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method evaluated treatment effect within each subgroup after adjusting for stratification factors. Results: Most patients (818/851 [96.1%]) were Asian (192 [22.6%]), Black/African American (84 [9.9%]), or White (542 [63.7%]). Due to the low proportion of patients identifying as another racial category (33/851 [3.9%]) including American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, multiple, other, and not reported, only results of Asian, Black/African American, and White subgroups are reported. In patients with completed ethnicity data (N=839), 10.8% (91/839) identified as Hispanic/Latino and 89.2% (748/839) identified as not Hispanic/Latino. At baseline, Asian patients reported a numerically earlier mean age of AD onset (8.3 years) compared to White (16.5 years) and Black/African American (16.9 years) patients. A numerically greater proportion of Asian patients presented with severe (IGA 4) disease at baseline (49.5%) and prior use of systemic treatment for AD (75.5%) compared with White (35.1% and 51.1%, respectively) and Black/African American (33.3% and 36.9%, respectively) patients. At week 16, no significant treatment differences were observed for the proportion of patients achieving or reporting IGA 0/1, EASI 75, EASI 90, or ≥4-point Pruritus NRS improvement across racial or ethnic subgroups (p>0.1). In Asian patients, a higher proportion treated with lebrikizumab vs placebo (p<0.001) achieved or reported IGA 0/1 (25.1%, 4.1%), EASI 75 (45.5%, 8.5%), EASI 90 (26.5%, 4.3%), and Pruritus NRS ≥4-point improvement (36.4%, 5.7%). In Black/African American patients, a greater proportion treated with lebrikizumab versus placebo achieved or reported IGA 0/1 (33.2%, 13.2%) EASI 75 (51.7%, 18.8%), EASI 90 (26.9%, 13.2%), and ≥4-point Pruritus NRS improvement (41.7%, 17.4%). No statistical comparisons were performed due to limited sample size. In White patients treated with lebrikizumab, statistical significance was observed versus placebo (p<0.001) for IGA 0/1 (43.3%, 14.1%), EASI 75 (59.7%, 20.4%), EASI 90 (38.3%, 10.9%), and Pruritus NRS ≥4-point improvement (45.9%, 14.8%). Significant and similar differences with lebrikizumab-treatment versus placebo were observed among IGA 0/1, EASI 75, and ≥4-point Pruritus NRS improvement in Hispanic/Latino (p<0.05) and non-Hispanic/Latino (p<0.001) patients. The proportion of lebrikizumab-treated patients achieving EASI 90 versus placebo was numerically greater in Hispanic/Latino patients (p=0.057) but only reached statistical significance in non-Hispanic/Latino patients (p<0.001). Conclusions: In ADvocate1 and ADvocate2, lebrikizumab was effective across racial and ethnic subgroups for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD after 16 weeks of monotherapy treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients show evidence of hyperinflammation (HI), of which secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) is the most severe manifestation and diagnosed with HScore. Using a COVID-relevant modification of the HScore (%HScore), we set out to determine the prevalence of sHLH in 567 COVID-19 inpatient cases. The overall incidence of individuals with an 80% probability of sHLH in our COVID-19 cohort was 1.59% on admission and only rose to 4.05% if calculated at any time during admission. This small cohort as defined by %HScore showed no excess mortality compared with the whole cohort. Overall, %HScores were lower in older patients (p<0.0001) and did not reliably predict outcome at any cut-off value (AUROC 0.533, p=0.211, odds ratio 0.99). Our study demonstrates that a modified version (%HScore) of the conventional sHLH scoring system (HScore) does not enable risk stratification in people hospitalised with COVID. We propose further work is needed to develop novel approaches to predict HI and improve trial stratification for HI directed therapy in people with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease characterised by itch and is responsible for significant reduction in quality of life. While AD primarily arises in those under the age of 2 years, it is frequently persistent into adulthood. Recognition of AD is important for the general physician, especially to distinguish causes of acute flares that may present in any medical setting, such as eczema herpeticum and associated allergic reactions. While, to date, treatments have largely focused on broad spectrum immunomodulation with corticosteroids or systemic therapies (such as ciclosporin and methotrexate), increased knowledge in the pathophysiology of the disease has recently led to the expansion of treatment options available for those suffering with AD, and the new drugs on the horizon promise a previously unimagined potential for effective and safe treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin sensitization following the covalent modification of proteins by low molecular weight chemicals (haptenation) is mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) recognition of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules presented on the surface of almost all nucleated cells. There exist 3 nonmutually exclusive hypotheses for how haptens mediate CTL recognition: direct stimulation by haptenated peptides, hapten modification of HLA leading to an altered HLA-peptide repertoire, or a hapten altered proteome leading to an altered HLA-peptide repertoire. To shed light on the mechanism underpinning skin sensitization, we set out to utilize proteomic analysis of keratinocyte presented antigens following exposure to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). We show that the following DNCB exposure, cultured keratinocytes present cysteine haptenated (dinitrophenylated) peptides in multiple HLA molecules. In addition, we find that one of the DNCB modified peptides derives from the active site of cytosolic glutathione-S transferase- ω ⁠. These results support the current view that a key mechanism of skin sensitization is stimulation of CTLs by haptenated peptides. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD021373. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is limited understanding on patterns of systemic treatment in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in the UK. Objective: To characterize treatment patterns in adult AD patients prescribed immunosuppressants (IMMs) in the primary care setting. Results: Six hundred and fifty-six patients with AD (6.6%) were prescribed IMM in the analysis (mean age 52.1 years; 59.1% female; age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index 1.4). Most prevalent (>5%) conditions at baseline were depression (10.8%), contact dermatitis (10.7%), rheumatological disease (7.9%), skin/subcutaneous tissue disorders (6.4%), upper respiratory disease (5.8%), and psoriasis (5.2%). At baseline, up to 50% of patients were prescribed ≥1 IMM. During follow-up, 42.7% of patients were prescribed oral corticosteroids (OCSs), increasing in line with IMM exposure. The most commonly prescribed IMM was methotrexate (43.3%). Ciclosporin, the only approved IMM for AD, was prescribed to 16.9% of patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of comorbidities and high rate of IMM prescriptions demonstrate the impact of AD on quality of life. The frequency of OCS prescribing in AD patients treated with IMMs suggests a lack of disease control with existing therapies, and an unmet need for safe and effective targeted agents for long-term disease control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]