Takeaway
- Dupilumab (Dupixent) does not increase overall infection risk and is associated with reduced risk for serious/severe infection in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), according to pooled data from 7 randomized controlled trials.
Why this matters
- Other immunomodulators have been linked to increased infection risk.
Key results
- Dupilumab and placebo were associated with similar rates of overall infection (rates given per 100 patient-years):
- 150 for dupilumab weekly.
- 156 for dupilumab every 2 weeks.
- 152 for dupilumab combined.
- 155 for placebo.
- Dupilumab and placebo were associated with similar risk for overall infection (risk ratio [RR], 1.00; P=.98) and nonskin infection (RR, 1.06; P=.33).
- Dupilumab was associated with reduced risk for serious/severe infection (RR, 0.43; P=.02), bacterial/other nonherpetic skin infections (RR, 0.44; P<.001), and clinically important herpesviral infection (eczema herpeticum, herpes zoster; RR, 0.31; P=.004).
Study design
- 2932 patients with AD, 1095 treated with dupilumab 300 mg weekly, 746 with dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks, and 1091 with placebo, were included.
- Funding: Sanofi, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Limitations
- Higher dropout rate in placebo group.
- No accounting for effects of rescue medication.
References
References