In pediatrics six years of age and older, dupilumab therapy led to consistent and rapid improvements in atopic dermatitis extent and signs across all the anatomical regions, according to the findings of a post hoc subset analysis published in Dermatology and Therapy. Researchers undertook a study for characterizing dupilumab's efficacy to improve the extent and signs of atopic dermatitis across 4 distinct anatomical areas.

This study was carried out with the aid of data from 2 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, international multicenter, phase III trials of dupilumab treatment in adolescents (age ≥ 12 to < 18 years) suffering from moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and children (age ≥ 6 to < 12 years) suffering from severe atopic dermatitis.

The mean percentage alteration in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) signs (lichenification, erythema, excoriation, edema/papulation) and extent of atopic dermatitis (estimated by the percentage of body surface area involvement) from the baseline to 16th week were the outcomes ascertained. As found, there was an improvement in both severity and extent of atopic dermatitis signs across the four anatomical regions (head and neck, trunk, lower extremities, upper extremities) with dupilumab therapy.

Considering the decline in EASI signs and percentage of body surface area involvement, there were comparable improvements across the 4 anatomical regions. Across all the regions, improvements in all signs were reported early, within the initial four weeks of therapy, and were found to be sustained through week 16. Thus, dupilumab seems valuable for managing atopic dermatitis in pediatrics.