Dupilumab in prurigo nodularis: a systematic review of current evidence and analysis of predictive factors to response

Abstract

Introduction

Dupilumab has been shown effective for prurigo nodularis (PN). However, precise data about efficacy of dupilumab as off-label use in PN is missing. We aggregated current evidence to assess efficacy of dupilumab in PN and to identify possible response predictors

Material and methods

Five electronic databases were searched. Our primary outcome was improvement in pruritus measured by numerical rating scale (NRS). We collected data on NRS before (NRSpre) and after (NRSpost) the dupilumab therapy and designed two categorical variables: ‘NRS_50’ and ‘NRS_100’ defined as whether one patient reaches 50% and 100% reduction of the NRSpre. Secondary outcomes included: time until patient perceived any improvement (Time_First) and time until patient reported absence of pruritus (Time_Final).

Results

Data on 45 patients from eleven articles were analyzed. The NRSpre was 8.58 ± 1.89 and the NRSpost was 1.78 ± 2.29. Time_First was 10.15 ± 10.56 weeks, while Time_Final was 19.28 ± 13.71 weeks. 22/45 patients (48.88%) presented with complete resolution (NRS_100) and 37/45 patients (82.22%) had itch half dropped (NRS_50). Time_First was significantly longer in subjects that did not reach NRS_100 (13.13 ± 13.77) than in subjects that did (7.34 ± 7.86, p= .05). Time_First was significantly longer in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients (16.08 ± 16.18) than in subjects without AD (7.02 ± 5.69, p=.01). NRS_50 and NRS_100 presented with a significant association (p=.05)

Conclusion

Dupilumab is an effective target-to-treat agent. In comparison with AD, the clinical response to dupilumab initiates later and, two months of therapy are required until significant itch relieves. Complete remission is rarely observed before 4 months of therapy. Notably, AD-related PN patients need longer treatment than non-AD related PN patients to find any relief. Two early signs of improvement are promising predictors of response to dupilumab: The Time_First and NRS_50. What's already known about this topic?

• Dupilumab has been shown to be an efficacious treatment for prurigo nodularis (PN)

• However, literature data on this topic are scattered. What does this study add?

• This work presents the largest cohort of PN patients treated with dupilumab.

• Our findings demonstrate dupilumab is a novel and effective choice

• In comparison with atopic dermatitis, the clinical response to dupilumab initiates later.

• Two months of therapy are required until the itch relieves. Complete remission is rarely observed before 4 months of therapy.

• Atopic dermatitis-related PN patients need more weeks of treatment than non-atopic dermatitis-related PN patients

Keywords:

• Biologic
• prurigo nodularis
• atopic dermatitis
• itch
• efficacy
• meta-analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Andreea Calugareanu and Dr. Jean-David Bouaziz for sharing the value data based on their previous publication. Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.

Author contributions

HHE and MS performed the literature search. HHE has analysed the data and written the manuscript, while MS has supervised and corrected the complete work.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no financial or commercial conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by Hamad Medical Corporation and Qatar Foundation (to M.S.).