Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Dupilumab in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting up to 20% of children globally. Recent therapeutic advances include the introduction of dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-4 receptor alpha chain, crucial in type 2 inflammation. While dupilumab’s efficacy in moderate to severe pediatric AD is established, long-term safety data remain sparse. This retrospective cohort study included 14 pediatrics patients with moderate to severe AD, treated with dupilumab for up to 72 months (39.6 ± 22.6 months, range: 13–72). Most patients (11/14, 78.57%) had a personal history of other atopic comorbidities and were hospitalized at least once (10/13, 76.92%) due to exacerbation of their disease. Six of the 14 patients (42.85%) achieved a complete response, while the remaining eight (57.14%) demonstrated a partial response, most within 2 months. All patients experienced significant reductions in both hospitalizations and local skin infections. Adverse events (AEs) were infrequent, experienced by 21.43% (3/14) of the patients. All AEs were mild, causing no treatment discontinuations. These findings align with existing literature, suggesting that dupilumab is a safe and effective long-term treatment option for pediatric AD, offering sustained disease control and improved quality of life.