Efficacy and safety of dupilumab with concomitant topical corticosteroids in children 6 to 11 years old with severe atopic dermatitis: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial

Abstract

Children with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) have limited treatment options. We report the efficacy and safety of dupilumab+topical corticosteroids (TCS) in children aged 6-11years with severe AD inadequately controlled with topical therapies. In this double-blind, 16-week, phase 3 trial (NCT03345914), 367 patients were randomized 1:1:1 to 300mg dupilumab every 4weeks (300 mg q4w), a weight-based regimen of dupilumab every 2weeks (100 mg q2w, baseline weight <30kg; 200 mg q2w, baseline weight ≥30kg), or placebo; with concomitant medium-potency TCS. Both the q4w and q2w dupilumab+TCS regimens resulted in clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in signs, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) versus placebo+TCS in all prespecified endpoints. For q4w, q2w, and placebo, 32.8%, 29.5%, and 11.4% of patients, respectively, achieved Investigator's Global Assessment scores of 0 or 1; 69.7%, 67.2%, and 26.8% achieved ≥75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index scores; and 50.8%, 58.3%, and 12.3% achieved ≥4-point reduction in worst itch score. Response to therapy was weight-dependent: optimal dupilumab doses for efficacy and safety were 300 mg q4w in children <30kg and 200 mg q2w in children ≥30kg. Conjunctivitis and injection-site reactions were more common with dupilumab+TCS than with placebo+TCS. Short-term 16-week treatment period; severe AD only. Dupilumab+TCS is efficacious and well tolerated in children with severe AD, significantly improving signs, symptoms, and QOL.