Dupixent Shows Promise in Treating Atopic Dermatitis in Patients of Color

Nashville, TN – Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi announced promising results from the Phase IV DISCOVER trial of Dupixent (dupilumab) for treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adolescents and adults with skin of color. The data were shared at the 2025 Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference.

The study involved 120 patients who received Dupixent biweekly. After 24 weeks, 76% of participants achieved a ≥75% improvement in overall disease severity. Improvements were observed as early as two weeks into the treatment. Additionally, more than half (53%) reported reduced itch, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation decreased by 53% from baseline. The safety outcomes were consistent with Dupixent’s established safety profile.

Participants, aged 12 and older, received the medication based on their weight. The primary goal was to reach a minimum of 75% improvement on the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75). Secondary goals included a 4-point improvement on the Peak-Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (PP-NRS). Skin of color was defined according to Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease associated with type 2 inflammation, often more severe in individuals with skin of color, leading to distinct symptoms and lesions. Dupixent, developed using Regeneron’s VelocImmune technology, is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling pathways without immunosuppressive effects. It was developed in collaboration with Sanofi.

Dr. Andrew Alexis, a clinical dermatology professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, emphasized the unique challenges posed by atopic dermatitis in patients of color, noting that clinical features like hyperpigmentation can complicate diagnosis and severity assessments. According to estimates, atopic dermatitis affects about 16.5 million adults in the U.S., with African American children experiencing more severe forms than their white counterparts.

The study included diverse participants: 82% Black, 11% Asian, 2% American Indian/Alaska Native, and 5% Arab, Central American, or other. Following 24 weeks of treatment with Dupixent, 76% experienced significant improvements, with some seeing results within the first two weeks.

Dupixent has shown considerable effectiveness in reducing type 2 inflammation in previous Phase 3 trials and generated $14.15 billion in sales in 2024, marking a 22% increase from the previous year.