Evan S. Dellon, MD, MPH: Dupilumab Shows Promise Treating Eosinophilic Esophagitis

While many treatments may wane in effectiveness in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), initial data shows dupilumab (Dupixent) could be beneficial at least up to 2 years for patients.

In data presented at the annual American College of Gastroenterology (2020) conference, researchers found the treatment significantly improved dysphagia and histological and endoscopic measures of EoE in patients.

"In Part A of the double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial, the investigators examined 81 patients aged 12 years and older with active EoE. Each participant received 24 weeks of subcutaneous dupilumab 300 mg weekly or placebo.

Dupilumab also significantly normalized the expression of genes associated with type 2 inflammation, including genes associated with type 2 inflammatory cell responses, proinflammatory cytokine production, and mucins.

In addition, dupilumab normalized genes associated with eosinophils and mast cells by downregulating genes linked to eosinophil recruitment and genes encoding eosinophil and mast cell surface proteins, which are all dysregulated in the EoE transcriptome.

In an interview with HCPLive®, Evan Dellon, MD, MPH, professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, explained how dupilumab could be a top of the line treat for patients with EoE.