Head to https://www.beacontrial.org for a comprehensive overview of the BEACON study, and to find out how to take part, or read on for a summary of this trial.

The BEACON trial will provide the first comprehensive evidence on the comparative effectiveness of systemic therapies used to treat moderate to severe eczema in adults.

Mild eczema can usually be treated with creams and ointments but more severe eczema needs ‘systemic’ treatments taken by mouth or injection. Recently, many new systemic treatments have been introduced. The BEACON trial will find out which systemic therapy is the most effective and best tolerated. This will help people with eczema and their doctors select the best treatment, first time.

Participants are allocated by chance to receive one of the systemic treatments under investigation, including dupilumab, methotrexate and ciclosporin, all of which are used in routine NHS practice and can help eczema, and this will be taken for 6 months. The dose can be increased after 3 months for drugs where that is an option (methotrexate and ciclosporin), and participants can switch treatment at 6 months if they find the treatment is not effective. Participation in the study lasts for 12 months.

People with more severe eczema that could benefit from systemic treatment. Multiple dermatology centres across the UK are involved in this study, which is being run by the team here at St John’s Institute of Dermatology.

For more information about the BEACON trial, please go to the study website: https://www.beacontrial.org.