According to an article recently published in WhoTrades, Dupixent has recently been assessed in a clinical trial for the treatment of uncontrolled prurigo nodularis in adult patients. The data were positive, demonstrating that Dupixent met all primary and key secondary endpoints.

About the Study

The Phase III PRIME2 study was conducted by the drug’s developer, Regeneron. Dupixent is the company’s blockbuster drug, with a number of approvals already for diseases including atopic dermatitis, nasal polyposis with severe asthma, severe chronic rhinosinusitis, oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma, and eosinophilic asthma.

Results from this study include:

• Clinically significant reduction in itching from baseline in 37% of patients
  • This can be compared to only 22% of those being treated with a placebo
• By week 24, 58% of patients reached a clinically significant reduction in itching
  • This can be compared to 20% of the placebo group
•  45% of the Dupixent group achieved almost clear or completely clear skin by week 24
  • This can be compared to only 16% within the placebo group
• Improvements in health-related quality of life (QOL)
• Improvements in symptoms related to mood disorders like anxiety and depression
• Improvements in skin pain

These results are extremely positive and point to Dupixent as a viable treatment option for prurigo nodularis.

About Prurigo Nodularis

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by a symmetrical, extremely itchy rash. This rash can range in size and location depending on the affected individual, but it typically appears on the arms, upper back, abdomen, and/or legs. The itching it causes is severe, often joined by a burning or stinging sensation. Referred to as pruritus, this itching can be a severe burden to patients, interfering with psychological wellbeing and sleep. The affected skin also becomes hyperkeratotic and lichenified.

Medical professionals are unsure of the exact cause of this condition, but they suspect that it’s due to a dysregulation of the immune system and nerves within the skin. It can appear as a lone disorder or as a symptom of another condition, such as psychiatric conditions, neurological conditions, systemic diseases, or infections. There is no FDA-approved therapy for PN, but there are behavioral methods and medications available.