David J. Amrol, MD reviewing Blauvelt A et al. Lancet 2017 May 4.

Response to this monoclonal antibody was sustained at 1 year.

A recent 16-week study showed that dupilumab (Dupixent; a monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of several cytokines) was safe and effective for managing atopic dermatitis (AD; NEJM JW Gen Med Nov 15 2016 and N Engl J Med 2016; 375:2335). Researchers now have performed a longer industry-funded trial in which they allowed patients to continue standard-of-care topical medications.

More than 600 adults with moderate-to-severe AD were randomized to subcutaneous dupilumab injections or placebo every 1 or 2 weeks for 1 year. Standard AD care was continued, including use of topical steroids and, if needed, topical calcineurin inhibitors. At 16 weeks, 39% of dupilumab patients experienced near-total or total relief compared with 12% of placebo patients, and 65% of dupilumab patients experienced at least 75% improvement, compared with 23% of placebo patients. These results were sustained during 52 weeks. Conjunctivitis and injection-site reactions were found significantly more frequently in the dupilumab group.

CITATION(S):

Blauvelt A et al. Long-term management of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with dupilumab and concomitant topical corticosteroids (LIBERTY AD CHRONOS): A 1-year, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet 2017 May 4; [e-pub].

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