Clinical and molecular improvements in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab: An analysis from the TREATKids registry

Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review

Contributors

  • Melina Fonfara - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel (Author)
  • Dora Stölzl - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel (Author)
  • Jan Hartmann - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel (Author)
  • Inken Harder - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel (Author)
  • Barbara Kind - , Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (Author)
  • Luise Heinrich - , Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (Author)
  • Susanne Abraham - , Department of Dermatology, University Allergy Centre (Author)
  • Sascha Gerdes - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel (Author)
  • Monika Gappa - , Evangelical Hospital Düsseldorf (Author)
  • Andreas Kleinheinz - , Elbe Clinics Stade/Buxtehude (Author)
  • Irena Neustädter - , Klinik Hallerwiese-Cnopfsche Kinderklinik (Author)
  • Annice Heratizadeh - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • Sebastian Kerzel - , Hospital of the Brothers of Mercy Regensburg (Author)
  • Andreas Wollenberg - , University Hospital Augsburg, University of Lübeck (Author)
  • Caroline Mann - , University Medical Center Mainz (Author)
  • Mohammad Asefi - , Haut- und Laserzentrum Hunsrück (Author)
  • Katja Nemat - , Pediatric Center Dresden-Friedrichstadt (Kid) (Author)
  • Christian Vogelberg - , Department of Paediatrics (Author)
  • Hagen Ott - , Children's Hospital Auf der Bult (Author)
  • Bianca Schaub - , Dr. von Haunersche Children's Hospital, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), German Center for Child and Adolescent Health (DZKJ) – partner site Munich (Author)
  • Thomas Werfel - , Hannover Medical School (MHH) (Author)
  • Jochen Schmitt - , Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare (Author)
  • Stephan Weidinger - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel (Author)

Abstract

Real-world evidence on clinical and molecular outcomes of systemic therapy for pediatric atopic dermatitis remains limited. Within the prospective TREATkids registry, we conducted an observational analysis of children and adolescents treated with dupilumab in routine care. Baseline data from 200 and follow-up data from 124 patients were evaluated for clinician- and patient-/caregiver-reported outcomes, alongside epidermal proteomic profiling using tape strips and the Olink Explore Inflammation 384 (n = 20) panel and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing for skin microbiome assessment in subsets (n = 48). At treatment initiation, disease burden was high (mean Eczema Area and Severity Index = 16.5, objective SCORing Atopic Dermatitis = 44.9, peak pruritus numerical rating scale = 6.6). By month 3, Eczema Area and Severity Index 50, 75, and 90 response rates were 87, 60, and 30%. Response rates at months 6 and 12 were generally consistent with those observed at month 3, with no discontinuations and conjunctivitis occurring in 4.0%. Proteomic analyses demonstrated marked baseline upregulation of alarmins, T helper 2 chemokines, and tissue-remodeling markers in lesional skin, followed by downregulation of 144/161 dysregulated proteins at month 3, including CCL17/TARC, CXCL8, IL-6, IL-18, and matrix metalloproteinases. Microbiome profiling showed baseline dysbiosis with Staphylococcus aureus overabundance and reduced α-diversity, normalizing toward a nonlesional-like state after therapy at month 3. Overall, dupilumab was associated with rapid, sustained clinical and molecular improvement.

Details

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 7 Jul 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 105047064356

Keywords