Dupilumab in Inflammatory Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review

March 2023 in “ Biomolecules ”

Henning Olbrich, Christian D. Sadik, Ralf J. Ludwig, Diamant Thaçi, Katharina Boch

dupilumab atopic dermatitis interleukin-4 interleukin-13 prurigo nodularis alopecia areata chronic spontaneous urticaria Netherton syndrome Dupixent

Studysummary This study reviewed the use of dupilumab, beyond its approved indications for atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis, and found effective treatment reports for various chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as bullous autoimmune diseases, eczema, and alopecia areata, highlighting its broad potential in dermatology.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This systematic review evaluates the use of dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody, in treating various inflammatory skin diseases beyond its initial approval for atopic dermatitis. Dupilumab has shown effectiveness in conditions such as alopecia areata, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and Netherton syndrome, among others. Clinical trials, including the phase 3 LIBERTY-PN PRIME and PRIME2, demonstrated significant improvements in symptoms for 153 patients with prurigo nodularis. Dupilumab's safety profile is favorable, with mild adverse events like nasopharyngitis. The review underscores dupilumab's potential for broader application in dermatology, though its efficacy varies among different conditions and individual cases.

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Research cited in this study

8 / 8 results

research Improvement of Atopic Dermatitis and Alopecia Universalis with Dupilumab: A Case Report

3 citations , December 2021 in “Dermatology reports”

This study presents a reported case where dupilumab treatment for atopic dermatitis led to improvement in alopecia universalis.

research Dupilumab-Induced Psoriasis in a Patient With Atopic Dermatitis and Alopecia Totalis: A Case Report and Literature Review

19 citations , December 2021 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Dupilumab can cause psoriasis in some patients.

research Time to Loss of Response for Dupilumab in Ophiasis-Pattern Alopecia Areata

2 citations , September 2021 in “JAAD case reports”

This report describes a case of a woman with ophiasis-pattern alopecia areata who experienced significant hair regrowth and maintained it for 6 months after treatment with dupilumab, though she eventually relapsed.

research Dupilumab for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Children with Atopic Dermatitis

7 citations , July 2021 in “JAAD case reports”

This review discusses the potential of dupilumab for treating alopecia areata, reporting mixed outcomes with both improvement and new-onset hair loss observed in case reports.

research Dupilumab Therapy for Alopecia Areata in Pediatric Patients with Concomitant Atopic Dermatitis

19 citations , January 2021 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reported that some pediatric patients with alopecia areata experienced hair regrowth with dupilumab treatment, particularly those with concomitant atopic dermatitis, suggesting dupilumab may be beneficial when traditional therapies fail.

research Dupilumab And Alopecia: A Janus Effect

29 citations , July 2019 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This report describes two patients with atopic dermatitis receiving dupilumab, where one experienced healing of alopecia areata and the other developed it, illustrating the drug's varied effects.

research Dupilumab Treatment for Atopic Dermatitis Leading to Unexpected Treatment for Alopecia Universalis

19 citations , January 2019 in “JAAD case reports”

This study reports a case where a biologic medication used for atopic dermatitis unexpectedly also treated concurrent alopecia areata.

research Dupilumab Improved Alopecia Areata in a Patient with Atopic Dermatitis: A Case Report

33 citations , January 2019 in “Acta Dermato Venereologica”

This case report suggests potential effectiveness of dupilumab for alopecia areata, though hair regrowth may result from indirect effects on inflammation in atopic dermatitis.