Mechanism of action (MOA) diagram for Dupixent (dupilumab), illustrating its inhibition of IL-4 and IL-13 signaling pathways. [Image credit: Sanofi/Regeneron]
The study, presented at the Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference in Nashville, focused on patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with skin of color.
Unmet need in atopic dermatitis in people of color
Atopic dermatitis (eczema), which is characterized by type 2 inflammation, can have a significant impact on quality of life, explained Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Clinical Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine in a statement. This disease disproportionately affects people of color.
“Unique clinical features like darker patches of hyperpigmentation versus redness typically seen on lighter skin may lead to less accurate diagnoses and underestimation of disease severity,” Alexis said, “Because the disease presents differently in people with skin of color, it can be misdiagnosed or the severity underestimated, which can contribute to higher levels of healthcare resource utilization and other disparities in outcomes.”
According to the National Eczema Association, atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, affects an estimated 16.5 million adults in the U.S. African American children are more likely to have atopic dermatitis and tend to experience a more severe disease than white children.
Dupixent clinical trial
In the trial, 120 patients with atopic dermatitis and skin of color (82% Black, 11% Asian, 2% American Indian/Alaska Native, 5% Arab, Central American or other) were treated with Dupixent every two weeks using a weight-based dosing regimen.
After 24 weeks, 76% of patients achieved a ≥75% improvement in overall disease severity. Some saw improvement in the first two weeks of treatment.
Dupixent is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) pathways. It is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown a significant decrease in type 2 inflammation in Phase 3 trials, showing that IL-4 and IL-13 are two of the key drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in atopic dermatitis and related diseases.
The drug brought in $14.15 billion in sales between Regeneron and Sanofi in 2024, a year-over-year increase of 22%.
About Dupixent
“As the first biologic therapy to be approved, Dupixent revolutionized the treatment of moderate to severe AD. Being able to improve the quality of life of my patients who suffer from AD and previously had limited options has been extremely rewarding,” said Andrew Alexis, principal investigator for the DISCOVER trial.
Dupixent differs from competitors because it is “the only medicine to target both interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), two of the key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that underlies atopic dermatitis,” said Alexis. Additionally, Dupixent is the only medicine approved to treat children as young as 6 months of age.
“The results of the DISCOVER trial demonstrate meaningful reductions in disease severity, hyperpigmentation and patient-reported outcomes of itch and skin dryness in patients with skin of color,” Alexis said.
Filed Under: Biologics, clinical trials, Dermatology, Immunology
