Drug for Dermatitis Can Also Treat Asthma

Dupilumab, which is approved for the treatment of adults with atopic dermatitis, 200 mg or 300 mg every 2 weeks effectively treats patients with uncontrolled, moderate to severe asthma, according to results of new research.

The results of the research were presented at the American Thoracic Society’s 2018 International Conference on May 20.

To determine whether dupilumab was effective for reducing asthma symptoms, the researchers conducted the LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST trial, which included 1902 participants aged 12 years or older with moderate to severe asthma that was uncontrolled with medium- to high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and up to 2 additional controllers.

Participants were randomly assigned to either receive an add-on subcutaneous dupilumab in 200 mg or 300 mg doses every 2 weeks or matched placebos every 2 weeks for 52 weeks.

Compared with matched participants taking placebos, participants taking dupilumab, 200 mg, had 48% reduced annualized severe exacerbation rates, and those taking dupilumab, 300 mg, had 46% reduced rates.

At week 12, dupilumab also improved forced expiratory volume in 1 second in the overall population.

“Dupilumab significantly reduces severe asthma exacerbations and improves lung function and was generally well tolerated in patients with uncontrolled moderate to severe asthma,” the researchers concluded.

—Amanda Balbi

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