Dupixent is the latest treatment and first biologic treatment approved for the treatment of atopic eczema. It targets interleukin 4 and 13, which are key cytokines in the immune pathway that causes atopic eczema.
It is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic eczema.
Traditional systemic oral medications used for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic eczema include oral methotrexate, cyclosporine and azathioprine. They are immunosuppressive medications which lower the body's immunity and do have potential side effects including renal and liver toxicity.
In the clinical trials, 70% of participants had a 75% improvement in their eczema when treated with Dupixent [1]. Dupixent appears to be a lot less immunosuppressive than the traditional oral treatments, with little systemic toxicity. Red eyes or conjunctivitis was a common side effect. However, Dupixent treatment is a costly treatment compared to oral treatments.
Dupixent appears to have a good efficacy and safety profile, but long term safety data is still lacking. The choice of therapy has to be individualized for each patient and depends on factors such as
- the severity of the disease,
- existing medical history,
- response to previous treatments,
- fear of side effects and
- cost.
Overall, Dupixent is an effective and safe treatment and is a welcomed new treatment option for the management of eczema that is difficult to treat.
References:
1. Results. Nih.gov. Published July 2018. Accessed December 10, 2019.
