SDPA Fall 2018 | Dupixent (dupilumab)

On day two of the 16th Annual Fall Conference, Cynthia Trickett, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA shared her clinical insights regarding the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in her lecture on Dupixent. AD is estimated to affect 3.2% of adults in the US and around 1.6 million with moderate to severe AD remain uncontrolled despite treatment.

Ms. Trickett discussed the roles of inflammatory cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, that are thought to contribute to the AD disease process. She went on to discuss how Dupixent, a human monoclonal IgG antibody, inhibits IL-4 and IL-13 to modulate AD.

Defining atopic dermatitis using Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), and the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) were discussed as these are important measure to include when evaluating the severity of AD. In all three clinical studies, Dupixent showed consistent proof of improvement in disease extent and EASI score from baseline to week 16. Dupixent also showed sustained improvement from baseline to week 52.

Ms. Trickett stressed that in addition to disease improvement, there is a rapid reduction in itch starting as early as week 2. The most common adverse reactions (AEs) include injection-site reactions, ocular events, blepharitis, oral herpes, keratitis, eye pruritus and dry eye although the percentage of patients that discontinued treatment due to AEs was similar to placebo.