Dupilumab-related late adverse events in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Abstract

Background Anti-IL-4 receptor α antibody (dupilumab) has demonstrated favorable sinonasal outcomes for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), which is mainly caused by type 2 inflammation. Although increased blood eosinophil levels and injection site symptoms are frequently observed as acute adverse events (AEs) of dupilumab, limited knowledge is available regarding the late AEs of dupilumab for CRSwNP. Objectives We investigated the late AEs following the initiation of dupilumab treatment for CRSwNP. Material and methods Fifty-one patients with CRSwNP treated with dupilumab for > 3 months were enrolled, and their clinical data were collected from their medical records. Results Six (11.8%) patients experienced late AEs. One case of eczema with pruritus, one case of psoriasis-like dermatitis, two cases of severe rash, one case of malignant lymphoma, and one case of alopecia areata were observed. Skin disorders were the most common late AEs in this study. It is a Th1-inflammatory disease, and its mechanism is thought to be due to the immune imbalance caused by dupilumab. We could not confirm whether malignant lymphoma in our case was caused by dupilumab use. Conclusions and significance Skin disorders are often late AEs associated with dupilumab; therefore, careful monitoring after dupilumab initiation should be considered.