Effectiveness of dupilumab for the treatment of nummular eczema phenotype of atopic dermatitis in adults

Nummular eczema (NE) is currently considered as one of the clinical phenotypes of atopic dermatitis (AD) of the adult. In this multicentre study, 30 adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) affected with nummular‐like AD were treated with dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody against the receptor for interleukin(IL)‐4 and IL‐13. The evaluation of the results after 16 weeks of treatment showed a significant improvement of the disease, as demonstrated by reduction in Eczema Area Severity Score (EASI), visual analogue score (VAS) of pruritus, and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores. Conjunctivitis in one patient was the only side effect. In conclusion, dupilumab seems to be an effective and safe treatment in NE phenotype of AD of the adult.     

Treatment of refractory conjunctivitis associated to dupilumab with topical pimecrolimus applied to the eyelid skin

Patients with atopic dermatitis commonly experience ophthalmic complications, and a higher incidence of conjunctivitis has been observed during treatment with dupilumab. We present the case of a 49‐year‐old woman with persistent severe atopic dermatitis who complained of refractory conjunctivitis associated with dupilumab. Ocular examination showed features of atopic conjunctivitis for which an external topical application to the eyelids of pimecrolimus 10 mg/g cream was prescribed. The patient showed substantial clinical remission after only 12 days. This case was remarkable as the medication applied externally to the eyelid skin was effective in treating the conjunctival involvement possibly due to penetration of pimecrolimus through the eyelid layers. Further studies are needed to support the use of this drug for dupilumab‐related conjunctivitis.     

Dupilumab-induced skin-associated side effects in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a typical type-2 inflammation involving T-helper type-2 cells and impairing quality of life due to nasal obstruction, discharge and reduced sense of smell. Recently, the anti-IL4Rα antibody dupilumab was approved for CRSwNP. While dermatologic side effects in patients treated with dupilumab for atopic dermatitis are frequently observed, there is limited knowledge about these effects in patients with CRSwNP. We aimed to investigate frequency and characteristics of dermatologic side effects following initiation of dupilumab treatment in a cohort of Austrian CRSwNP patients. Therefore, CRSwNP patients presenting at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the Vienna General Hospital were retrospectively evaluated for newly developed skin eruptions while under dupilumab treatment. Incidence was calculated and details on clinical symptoms were collected. One hundred and ninety-two CRSwNP patients receiving dupilumab treatment were included, comprising a cumulative follow-up of 89.65 years (median: 5.5, IQR: 5.9). We observed dermatologic side effects in four patients starting at a median time of 15.5 (range 4–23) weeks after dupilumab initiation corresponding to an incidence-rate of 4.46 (95%-confidence interval 1.39–11.23) events per 100 patient-years follow-up. The majority (75%, 3/4) of affected patients developed psoriasis-like dermatitis, whereas one individual experienced rosacea-like folliculitis and alopecia areata. While dupilumab dosing was reduced in 3/4 CRSwNP patients, one patient completely stopped dupilumab therapy. Our study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of both frequency and characteristics of dermatologic side effects caused by dupilumab in CRSwNP patients. All affected patients developed Th1-inflammatory associated skin disorders – previously observed only in individuals with prior affections of the skin (i.e. atopic dermatitis). Thus, individuals receiving dupilumab for CRSwNP may develop novel symptoms that require interdisciplinary management. Future studies on dupilumab in a real-world setting will be required to further explore its spectrum of side effects.     

Contact dermatitis to aloe arborescens

A 66-Year-old Japanese male with allergic contact dermatitis to Aloe arborescens Mill var. natalensis had generalized nummular and papular dermatitis after 20 days use of topical aloe jelly. Patch testing with aloe jelly a strong reaction in the patient, but was negative in 8 controls.     

Angioedema: A potential complication of dupilumab in atopic dermatitis

Dupilumab is a relatively new and quite effective medication for recalcitrant atopic dermatitis in patients over 6 years of age. Here, we present a 12‐year‐old girl with progressively worsening episodic facial swelling and erythema while treated with dupilumab. This case highlights the possibility of angioedema as an adverse effect of dupilumab treatment.     

Fifty‐two week follow‐up safety and effectiveness results of dupilumab treatment of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis from a retrospective,multicentric series

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, systemic disease that has a multifactorial etiology, where immune system disorders and epidermal barrier dysfunction are added to the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Dupilumab has been approved by United States and the European Union regulatory agencies in 2017 for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe AD in adult patients who are candidates for systemic treatment. In this short report, we present a retrospective, multicentric study, in which five hospitals in Andalusia, Spain, have taken part. Our objective is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of dupilumab in patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD treated with dupilumab with at least 52 weeks of follow‐up.     

Therapeutic options for chronic hand dermatitis

Hand dermatitis is a common skin condition that often has a chronic and/or relapsing clinical course. Several clinical forms of hand dermatitis have been described, including contact (i.e., allergic and irritant), hyperkeratotic (i.e., psoriasiform or tylotic), frictional, nummular, atopic, pompholyx (i.e., dyshidrosis), and chronic vesicular hand dermatitis. In the present review, therapeutic options for these types of hand dermatitis are discussed in detail, focusing on treatments for recalcitrant hand dermatitis.     

Higher baseline serum lactate dehydrogenase level is associated with poor effectiveness of dupilumab in the long term in patients with atopic dermatitis

Dupilumab shows high efficacy and tolerable safety for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the extent of its effectiveness varies in individual patients. To date, practical predictors of later effectiveness of dupilumab in AD patients have not been reported. To explore practical predictors of later effectiveness of dupilumab in AD, we retrospectively investigated the correlation of baseline demographics and baseline laboratory results with the percentage reduction in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after initiating dupilumab. Furthermore, multiple regression analyses were conducted. Data were collected from patients’ charts. Data on 54 Japanese adult patients (43 men and 11 women) with moderate to severe AD were analyzed. Baseline serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was negatively correlated with the percentage reduction in EASI score at 3, 6 and 12 months after initiating dupilumab but not at 1 month. Multiple regression analyses also revealed that effectiveness of dupilumab at 3 and 6 months was associated with lower baseline serum LDH level. AD patients with allergic diseases tended to have lower percentage reduction in EASI at 1 month, but had higher percentage reduction in EASI in the long term than patients without allergic diseases. In conclusion, higher baseline serum LDH level was associated with poor effectiveness of dupilumab in the long term in patients with AD. Furthermore, it tended to take a longer time for AD patients with allergic diseases to respond to dupilumab, and these patients responded better to dupilumab in the long term than patients without allergic diseases.     

Relevance of patch testing in patients with nummular dermatitis

BACKGROUND: A chronic dermatosis like nummular dermatitis may be complicated by contact dermatitis due to an impaired cutaneous barrier. This study is aimed at evaluating secondary contact dermatitis in patients with nummular dermatitis. METHODS: Patch testing with the Indian Standard Series was performed in 50 of 78 patients with a clinical diagnosis of nummular eczema. Significant reactions were graded as per ICDRG criteria. RESULTS: Significant reactions were noted in 23 of 50 tested patients. The most frequent sensitizers were colophony, nitrofurazone, neomycin sulfate and nickel sulfate (7.14% each). Reactions to antigens in topical medications, cosmetics and toiletries constituted 64.28% of all the reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with nummular dermatitis are at significant risk of developing secondary allergic contact dermatitis, which contributes to the severity and chronicity of their dermatitis. Patch testing has the potential to improve the quality of life in these patients. Hence, patients with chronic recalcitrant nummular dermatitis must be patch tested.     

Atopic dermatitis-like graft-versus-host disease treated with dupilumab

The mainstay of treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD)-like graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in both pediatric and adult patients includes oral corticosteroids with or without other systemic immunosuppressive therapies. To our knowledge, we report the first case series of dupilumab in the treatment of AD-like GVHD in a pediatric cohort of four patients, where we observed clinical improvement of GVHD as well as a reduction in itch in 3/4 (75%) patients. Our findings suggest that dupilumab is not only effective in treating AD-like GVHD, but also reduces systemic immunosuppression in the pediatric transplant population. The ability to reduce the length and amount of immunosuppression as well as improve quality of life suggest that dupilumab may serve as a safe and effective therapeutic option in our transplant population with GVHD.     

外用皮质类固醇激素皮肤病患者的斑贴试验研究

用含不同皮质类固醇激素外用药的斑试剂对１７２例有外用皮质类固醇激素史的皮肤病患者进行斑贴试验，结果１２例（７．０％）对多种皮质类固醇激素制剂有反应。其阳性率仅次于橡胶促进剂、香料、苯唑卡因及白降汞，是第５位常见的过敏原。皮质类固醇激素过敏多见于钱币状湿疹，瘀积性皮炎等慢性皮肤疾患。临床表现多为皮损迁延不愈，但也可发生急性接触性皮炎。过敏的发生与性别、年龄无关；交叉过敏与多价过敏现象常见；未见全身性反应。     

Morphea after initiation of dupilumab in two pediatric atopic dermatitis patients

Morphea is a rare multifactorial autoimmune disorder characterized by a complex and dynamic interplay between Th1 and Th2 signaling. Active clinical trials are currently investigating the safety and efficacy of dupilumab for the treatment of primary morphea. Here, we present two cases of morphea that developed in pediatric atopic dermatitis patients treated with dupilumab. These findings may support a causal relationship between IL-4 receptor blockade and the development of the early inflammatory phase of morphea.     

The differential diagnosis of atopic dermatitis in childhood

Atopic is the most common of the dermatitides seen in infancy and childhood, but there are numerous other diseases that can mimic the skin findings. These include seborrheic dermatitis, immunodeficiency, and psoriasis in infancy; scabies, tinea corporis infection, perioral, nummular, contact, and molluscum dermatitis in childhood. It is sometimes extremely difficult to differentiate between ichthyosis and AD, and it is also important to differentiate AD from erythrodermic conditions including acrodermatitis enteropathica, biotin deficiency, and Netherton syndrome. A rare condition in children that may mimic AD is mycosis fungoides.     

Longitudinal utilization of systemic immunomodulators before and after dupilumab approval in children with atopic dermatitis

In our cohort study, we sought to describe the utilization patterns of systemic immunomodulators in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and how utilization changed after approval of dupilumab, the first systemic drug approved for the treatment of AD. Using US nationwide claims data, we identified children with AD who initiated a systemic therapy (dupilumab, cyclosporine, methotrexate, azathioprine, and mycophenolate mofetil) from March 2015 to February 2021 and used Sankey plots to describe patterns of starting, switching, and discontinuing these drugs. Dupilumab use among children increased from 19.4% before approval in children to 88.3% after approval in 2019–20. Adherence to dupilumab may suggest better tolerance and improved outcomes in children with AD.     

Nummular dermatitis on guselkumab for palmoplantar psoriasis

A 40‐year‐old man with chronic history of refractory palmoplantar psoriasis presented with new onset of well‐demarcated oval erythematous asteatotic plaques on bilateral shins after starting guselkumab therapy. Histopathology revealed chronic spongiotic dermatitis consistent with a diagnosis of nummular dermatitis. This case highlights a previously unreported adverse event to guselkumab therapy.     

HALO ECZEMA SURROUNDING SEBORRHOEIC KERATOSES: AN EXAMPLE OF PERILESIONAL NUMMULAR DERMATITIS

Two patients developed halo eczema around isolated seborrhoeic keratoses and in one individual similar halo eczema developed around the nipples. This phenomenon which was previously described with melanocytic naevi has been associated with a number of different central lesions and can be readily recognised. Both the clinical pattern and histopathology suggest that this phenomenon may represent a localised form of nummular dermatitis with a predilection for elevated lesions.     

Sensitizing potential of triclosan and triclosan-based skin care products in patients with chronic eczema

Triclosan is a lypophilic chlorophenol biocide with broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity. Triclosan-based topical products have been shown to be tolerated and beneficial in atopic dermatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitizing potential of triclosan and triclosan-based creams in patients affected by eczematous dermatitis. Two hundred and seventy-five patients affected by chronic eczema (allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, atopic eczema, nummular eczema, stasis dermatitis) were patch tested with standard patch test series as well as triclosan and triclosan-based products. Standard patch test series resulted positive in 164 patients (61%), with nickel sulfate, house dust mites, fragrance mix, propolis, thimerosal, myroxylon pereira, potassium dichromate, wool alcohols, and p-phenylenediamine the most common sensitizing haptens. Only two patients developed positive reactions to triclosan (0.7%) and four (1.4%) to triclosan-based products. The present study's results confirm that triclosan is well tolerated and has a very low sensitizing potential even in high-risk patients affected by eczema.     

What's new in the treatment of atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a pruritic, chronic and inflammatory skin disease, with an usual onset in the pediatric age. Several drugs are used in the treatment of this skin disease. Drugs as steroid, calcineurin inhibitors, and moisturizing creams are widely used in the treatment of this disease but often patients are not satisfied with the obtained results. New drugs like dupilumab or crisaborole seem to be a promising option for moderate and severe forms of AD. This article analyzes the newest therapy available today for the treatment of AD.     

【开放获取】度普利尤单抗治疗特应性皮炎专家共识

【摘要】 特应性皮炎是一种常见的慢性炎症性皮肤病,以湿疹样皮疹和剧烈瘙痒为主要表现,可严重影响患者生活质量。中重度特应性皮炎往往需要系统治疗,传统的系统治疗对部分患者效果不佳或不能耐受。近年来,生物制剂开始用于临床治疗特应性皮炎,其中白细胞介素4受体拮抗剂度普利尤单抗已经在我国上市。中华医学会皮肤性病学分会特应性皮炎研究中心、中华医学会皮肤性病学分会儿童学组组织本领域部分专家讨论度普利尤单抗在中重度特应性皮炎治疗中的应用,并形成共识,希望本共识能为我国皮肤科医生临床应用度普利尤单抗治疗特应性皮炎提供参考。     

Dupilumab treatment improves quality of life in adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis: results from a randomized,placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Atopic dermatitis is a skin disease, commonly known as eczema. It affects up to 1 in 10 adults. Atopic dermatitis is usually very itchy, causing people to wake up at night, and feel “low”. This state of general discomfort is known as reduced quality of life. Dupilumab is a new treatment approved in the U.S.A. for adults with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis. The treatment blocks some of the mechanisms involved in the disease. In a clinical trial conducted in Europe, researchers observed 109 patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis. The patients received dupilumab over 12 weeks. They found that the treatment improved the eczema and its symptoms, such as itch. The researchers also studied how the treatment affected quality of life in 64 out of 109 patients in the study. These patients had answered a set of questions that measures how atopic dermatitis affects their quality of life (Quality of Life Index for atopic dermatitis [QoLIAD]). Thirty‐two patients received dupilumab 300 mg weekly, by injection under the skin, and 32 received placebo. About 6 out of 10 patients treated with dupilumab had better quality of life over the 12 weeks, whereas only about 1 in 10 placebo‐treated patients improved. The researchers also found a relatively strong link between improvements with dupilumab in QoLIAD score and improvements in the eczema and symptoms. Dupilumab was well‐tolerated by the patients. The authors conclude that dupilumab, a new breakthrough treatment for atopic dermatitis, improves eczema and its symptoms, and in turn, the patients’ quality of life.