Dupilumab in Children and Adolescents with Severe Atopic Dermatitis and Severe Asthma: A Case Series

Abstract

The increasing incidence and common specific inflammatory type 2 intracellular pathways have recently allowed for the rise of new biologic therapies in two inflammatory chronic diseases in children: atopic dermatitis (AD) and severe asthma. Such therapies aim at relieving symptoms and reducing inflammation by treating the underlying molecular causes. Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody indicated in children with moderate–severe AD and severe asthma ineffectively responsive to standard treatments. Here, we report a case series of seven consecutive children with moderate–severe AD, with three of them also affected by asthma and treated with dupilumab. The children experienced a reduction in the extent and severity of lesions and decreased intensity of symptoms, leading to better asthma control, a general improvement in sleep and quality of life (QoL), with a good safety profile. Notwithstanding the observed clinical improvement, further larger prospective studies are needed to better tailor the treatment duration and the potential preventive and long-lasting effects.

Keywords

• atopic dermatitis
• severe asthma
• endotypes
• dupilumab
• sleep
• quality of life