Management of immune-related cutaneous adverse events with dupilumab Journal Article


Authors: Kuo, A. M. S.; Gu, S.; Stoll, J.; Moy, A. P.; Dusza, S. W.; Gordon, A.; Haliasos, E. C.; Janjigian, Y.; Kraehenbuehl, L.; Quigley, E. A.; Chapman, P.; Lacouture, M. E.; Markova, A.
Article Title: Management of immune-related cutaneous adverse events with dupilumab
Abstract: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) target the PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 pathways and allows the immune system to deliver antitumor effects. However, it is also associated with well-documented immune-related cutaneous adverse events (ircAEs), affecting up to 70-90% of patients on ICI. In this study, we describe the characteristics of and patient outcomes with ICI-associated steroid-refractory or steroid-dependent ircAEs treated with dupilumab. Patients with ircAEs treated with dupilumab between March 28, 2017, and October 1, 2021, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center were included in this retrospective study, which assessed the rate of clinical response of the ircAE to dupilumab and any associated adverse events (AEs). Laboratory values were compared before and after dupilumab. All available biopsies of the ircAEs were reviewed by a dermatopathologist. Thirty-four of 39 patients (87%, 95% CI: 73% to 96%) responded to dupilumab. Among these 34 responders, 15 (44.1%) were complete responders with total ircAE resolution and 19 (55.9%) were partial responders with significant clinical improvement or reduction in severity. Only 1 patient (2.6%) discontinued therapy due to AEs, specifically, injection site reaction. Average eosinophil counts decreased by 0.2 K/mcL (p=0.0086). Relative eosinophils decreased by a mean of 2.6% (p=0.0152). Total serum immunoglobulin E levels decreased by an average of 372.1 kU/L (p=0.0728). The most common primary inflammatory patterns identified on histopathological examination were spongiotic dermatitis (n=13, 33.3%) and interface dermatitis (n=5, 12.8%). Dupilumab is a promising option for steroid-refractory or steroid-dependent immune-related cutaneous adverse events, particularly those that are eczematous, maculopapular, or pruritic. Among this cohort, dupilumab was well-tolerated with a high overall response rate. Nonetheless, prospective, randomized, controlled trials are warranted to confirm these observations and confirm its long-term safety. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Keywords: retrospective studies; prospective study; prospective studies; ipilimumab; retrospective study; monoclonal antibody; antibodies, monoclonal; dermatitis; nivolumab; humans; human; immune checkpoint inhibitors; dupilumab; th1-th2 balance
Journal Title: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer
Volume: 11
Issue: 6
ISSN: 2051-1426
Publisher: Biomed Central Ltd  
Date Published: 2023-06-01
Start Page: e007324
Language: English
DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007324
PUBMED: 37270183
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC10255229
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PubMed and PDF -- MSK corresponding author is Alina Markova -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Elizabeth Ann Quigley
    21 Quigley
  2. Mario E Lacouture
    457 Lacouture
  3. Stephen Dusza
    288 Dusza
  4. Yelena Yuriy Janjigian
    395 Janjigian
  5. Paul Chapman
    326 Chapman
  6. Alina Markova
    87 Markova
  7. Andrea Primiani Moy
    32 Moy
  8. Alyce Mei-Shiuan Kuo
    15 Kuo
  9. Joseph Stoll
    12 Stoll
  10. Allison Gordon
    13 Gordon
  11. Stephanie Gu
    15 Gu