Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (Aug 2023)

The Effectiveness and Safety of Dupilumab for the Treatment of Recalcitrant Chronic Actinic Dermatitis: A Case Series

  • Chen J,
  • Yu N,
  • Wu W,
  • Ou S,
  • Chen Q,
  • Zhu H

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 16
pp. 2357 – 2363

Abstract

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Jiaoquan Chen,* Nanji Yu,* Weihong Wu, Shanshan Ou, Quan Chen, Huilan Zhu Department of Dermatology, Guangzhou Institute of Dermatology, Guangzhou, 510095, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Huilan Zhu, Department of Dermatology Guangzhou Institute of Dermatology, 56 Hengfu Road, Guangzhou, 510095, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Although dupilumab is an effective treatment approach for chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) in some cases, its effectiveness and safety in CAD have not been sufficiently assessed.Purpose: Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in patients with recalcitrant CAD was performed.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of CAD patients treated with dupilumab. Data regarding demographics were collected, and disease severity scores were assessed using the following: Clinical Severity Score of CAD (CSS-CAD), Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool (ADCT), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)-itch scores.Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, there was a significant decrease in disease severity scores of 16 CAD patients. Only one patient achieved a good response and most of the patients (62.5%, 10/16) had no significant symptom improvement after 4 weeks of treatment. However, after 12 weeks of treatment, 43.75% (7/16) of the patients reached excellent response (> 75% improvement of CSS-CAD), 31.25% (5/16) good response (50%– 75% improvement of CSS-CAD), 6.25% (1/16) partial response (25%– 50% improvement of CSS-CAD), and only 18.75% (3/16) no response (< 25% improvement of CSS-CAD). One patient complained of injection site reaction at the first injection.Conclusion: This study supports dupilumab as an effective and safe treatment option for patients with recalcitrant CAD. Patients may require at least 4 weeks of treatment before the partial response is noted.Keywords: chronic actinic dermatitis, dupilumab, photodermatitis, atopic dermatitis

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