Dupilumab: A Potential Agent for Paediatric Uncontrolled Asthma1
Despite receiving high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) alone or medium-to-high-dose ICS with a second controller, children with moderate-to-severe asthma may continue to suffer from the uncontrollable disease. The efficacy of dupilumab in children aged 6 to <12 years with uncontrolled and moderate-to-severe asthma were assessed in a 52-week phase 3 study. 350 children who had a type 2 inflammatory asthma phenotype plus 259 children who had blood eosinophils ≥300cells/µL, were randomised to receive add-on subcutaneous dupilumab 100 mg or 200 mg every 2 weeks or placebo in a 2:1 fashion. Dupilumab significantly reduced the exacerbation rate, improved forced expiratory volume in 1-second percent predicted and reduced nitric oxide levels at week 12 compared with placebo. The impressive effect of dupilumab on improving lung function to minimise asthma exacerbations could potentially set a milestone in the management of paediatric uncontrolled asthma.
References
1. Bacharier LB, et al. ATS 2021;abstract A1204
