What is the role of Dupixent in the Treatment of Chronic Sinusitis and Nasal Polyps?
by Ramiz Wahid on Jan 24, 2023
Dupixent is a brand name for the monoclonal antibody known as dupilumab. It is an injection prescribed in the United States for the treatment of several conditions, including severe eczema, severe asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. The drug has been developed by the pharmaceutical company, Sanofi and works by blocking interleukin 4 and interleukin 13, which are proinflammatory molecules that trigger immune responses. In patients who suffer with chronic sinusitis, interleukins are unusually hyperactive, leading to disproportionate immune reactions.
The efficacy of Dupixent in the treatment of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps was analyzed by Han and his colleagues (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31543428/) in two studies:
Both studies were randomized, and placebo controlled. The first study analyzed the effects of Dupixent after 24 weeks, whereas the second trial inspected clinical findings at 52 weeks. All participants initially had severe symptoms of nasal congestion, loss of smell, and nasal discharge. These symptoms were present despite receiving several courses of systemic corticosteroids.
Patients who took part in both studies showed improvements in:
- Nasal congestion.
- Nasal polyp size.
- Runny nose.
- The sense of smell.
Reported side effects of taking the drug include allergic reactions and conjunctivitis.
These results prompted the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the drug for the treatment of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps.
Although the drug is available in the UK in relation to the treatment of severe asthma and atopic dermatitis, unfortunately, Sanofi has not submitted an evidence submission to NICE.
