The Effectiveness and Safety of Dupilumab for the Treatment of Recalcitrant Chronic Actinic Dermatitis: A Case Series

Background: Although dupilumab is an effective treatment approach for chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) in some cases, its effectiveness and safety in CAD have not been sufficiently assessed.

Purpose: Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in patients with recalcitrant CAD was performed.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of CAD patients treated with dupilumab. Data regarding demographics were collected, and disease severity scores were assessed using the following: Clinical Severity Score of CAD (CSS-CAD), Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool (ADCT), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)-itch scores.

Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, there was a significant decrease in disease severity scores of 16 CAD patients. Only one patient achieved a good response and most of the patients (62.5%, 10/16) had no significant symptom improvement after 4 weeks of treatment. However, after 12 weeks of treatment, 43.75% (7/16) of the patients reached excellent response (>75% improvement of CSS-CAD), 31.25% (5/16) good response (50%-75% improvement of CSS-CAD), 6.25% (1/16) partial response (25%-50% improvement of CSS-CAD), and only 18.75% (3/16) no response (<25% improvement of CSS-CAD). One patient complained of injection site reaction at the first injection.

Conclusion: This study supports dupilumab as an effective and safe treatment option for patients with recalcitrant CAD. Patients may require at least 4 weeks of treatment before the partial response is noted.