Dupilumab Alters Both the Bacterial and Fungal Skin Microbiomes of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

This study examined the effects of dupilumab on the skin microbiomes of 30 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis over 12 weeks. Dupilumab, an IL-4Rα inhibitor, was found to improve dysbiosis by increasing microbial diversity and reducing colonization by Malassezia and Staphylococcus aureus. The fungal microbiome showed increased diversity with a rise in non-Malassezia yeast species, while the bacterial microbiome saw a decrease in Staphylococcus and an increase in Cutibacterium. These changes correlated with improvements in AD symptoms, as measured by the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score. The study suggests that dupilumab not only improves clinical symptoms but also positively impacts the skin microbiome, although further research with larger populations is needed.