A recent study on dupilumab (Dupixent), a treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD), has shown positive results in improving disease severity, itch, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with darker skin tones. The findings were presented at the 2025 Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis (RAD) conference in Nashville on June 7.
The data, from the DISCOVER Phase 4 clinical trial, is the first to evaluate dupilumab’s effects on a large group of patients with skin of color. The study included 120 adults and adolescents, aged 12 and older, with moderate-to-severe AD. Among the participants, 82% were Black, 11% were Asian, 2% were American Indian/Alaska Native, and 5% were of Arab, Central American, or other backgrounds. All participants received dupilumab treatment every two weeks.
At the 24-week mark, 76% of patients showed a 75% or greater improvement in overall disease severity, meeting the primary endpoint of the trial (EASI-75). Some patients saw improvements as early as two weeks into treatment. Additionally, 53% of patients reported a clinically significant reduction in itch, with a 4-point or more decrease on the peak-pruritus numerical rating scale. Similar to disease severity, some participants experienced improvement in itch as early as two weeks.
Patients also showed a 53% reduction in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, with scores dropping from 5.1 points (moderate/marked) to 2.4 points (mild). This measure was assessed using the clinician-reported Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Severity Scale. In terms of dry skin, the percentage of patients reporting being “very or extremely bothered” dropped from 78% at baseline to just 18% at 24 weeks.
Dr. Andrew Alexis, a professor of Clinical Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine, emphasized the significance of these findings. “Atopic dermatitis is a common condition that significantly impacts the quality of life for patients with skin of color,” he said. “The DISCOVER trial results show that dupilumab not only reduces disease severity and itch but also improves concerns like dyspigmentation and dry skin. These findings help deepen our understanding of atopic dermatitis in this underserved population and contribute to better clinical management, especially with newly validated scales.”
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